By Ọmọsọla Olumide
Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as prioritising foreign trips over addressing pressing security and humanitarian challenges in Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Friday, Obi condemned the president’s absence in the wake of worsening bandit attacks in Katsina and other northern states, as well as the recent boat mishap in Niger State, which claimed the lives of at least 60 people, mostly women and children.
The former Anambra State governor said it was disappointing that the president did not visit any of the affected communities upon returning from official engagements in Japan and Brazil just six days ago. He argued that the president could have easily taken a short trip from Abuja to Niger State to commiserate with grieving families before embarking on yet another journey abroad.
“From all indications, our President is not finding his home in Nigeria conducive for a long stay, and it should be concerning to us,” Obi said. “Barely six days after his return from a 15-day trip for a five-day engagement, Mr. President has left again, this time for his annual holiday in France. It does look like he is running away from Nigeria at every slight opportunity.”
Obi noted that this latest trip marks Tinubu’s 10th visit to France in just two years, despite Nigeria grappling with deepening insecurity, food crises, and poor living conditions. He cited recent reports showing that 79% of Nigerians—over 180 million people—face food insecurity, while the country was recently ranked the worst place to give birth and one of the least livable nations globally.
He further recalled that during Tinubu’s previous absence, more than 50 people were killed in a mosque and village attack in Katsina State, with over 60 others kidnapped. According to Obi, such tragedies require the president’s personal presence and compassion.
“What would it have taken the president to make a less than 30-minute trip from Abuja to Niger State?” Obi asked. “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.”
Obi stressed that true leadership demands sacrifice, empathy, and a commitment to addressing urgent national needs such as healthcare, education, poverty alleviation, and security.
Would you like me to make this version more neutral and fact-based (like a straight newspaper report), or more opinion-driven (retaining Obi’s criticisms strongly)?
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