Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi sharply criticised President Bola Tinubu over his frequent travels abroad, asserting that his ‘working vacations’ in Europe signal a lack of commitment to Nigeria amidst pressing national challenges.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Obi noted that Tinubu departed for Europe just six days after returning from a prior trip, marking his tenth visit to France in two years. He raised alarm over this pattern, suggesting it portrays the President as increasingly uncomfortable in his own country.
Obi’s remarks come as Nigeria grapples with widespread food insecurity (affecting 79% of citizens), a recent declaration as the worst country to give birth, the lowest life expectancy globally, and a surge in violent incidents—including the killing of over 50 in Katsina and a boat mishap in Niger State that claimed 60 lives.
Obi questioned why the President did not visit affected regions upon returning—pointing out that he could have easily used his jet to visit grieving families. He concluded emphatically:
“No holiday is more important than the Nigerian lives you swore to protect. At a time when Nigerians need leadership, empathy, and presence, a President should not choose foreign holidays.”
