Former Senate President Adolphus Wabara has voiced strong disapproval over the recent decision by both President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima to leave Nigeria on foreign trips at the same time.
Wabara described the situation as dangerous and careless, warning that such actions could harm the country’s leadership and image.
President Tinubu had traveled to France on what was described as a two-week working visit, while Vice President Shettima flew to Senegal to attend the country’s 65th Independence Day celebration. Both trips happened around the same time in early April, leaving Nigeria without its top two leaders present in the country.
Wabara, who currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said the move was not only improper but also troubling. He noted that “while Mr President has the right to travel outside the country when necessary, he should duly hand over power to his Vice in an acting capacity.”
According to him, even if the president needed to be away, it made no sense for the vice president—who should act in the president’s absence—to also travel. “It’s baffling to hear that the President and his Vice both abandoned governance and travelled out of the country at the same time, thus leaving the country headless,” he said.
Wabara questioned why the Foreign Affairs Minister was not sent to represent Nigeria in Senegal instead of the vice president. He pointed out that in times like these, when the nation is dealing with multiple challenges, both leaders should be present and focused on solving problems at home.
He referred to several troubling events in the country, including violence in Plateau, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Benue, political unrest in Rivers and Bayelsa, and rising tension in Edo State. Wabara said it was irresponsible for both leaders to leave during such a period of national concern.
He also called on the National Assembly to take its role seriously and ensure the executive does not go unchecked. Wabara said lawmakers must protect Nigeria’s democracy from abuse and urged the president to respect democratic principles and international standards.
“How else can a leader show disdain for the people he swore an oath to lead and defend. Leaving the country headless at a time so many boiling issues demand presidential intervention is a misplacement of priority.
“With the rising tension in Edo State and threats of reprisal in parts of the north; the bloodbath in Plateau, Zamfara, Sokoto and Benue; the political apprehension in Rivers and Bayelsa states; plus the festering insecurity in many states, travelling out of Nigeria is the least to expect from any serious-minded, patriotic President and his Vice.
“Tinubu and his vice, have again, clearly demonstrated that either they are overwhelmed or simply not prepared for governance. They have shown that they have little or no regard for Nigeria and Nigerians.”
