Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for spending a significant portion of his time abroad since assuming office.
Obi pointed out that Tinubu has spent approximately 180 out of his 580 days in office on foreign trips, equating to over 30% of his tenure.
Obi highlighted the pressing need for selfless and dedicated leadership in Nigeria, particularly as the nation faces economic and security challenges. He urged Tinubu to prioritize domestic engagement by visiting Nigeria’s 36 states.
Tinubu, who was sworn in on May 29, 2023, has made at least 30 publicly recorded trips to over 16 countries, including the UK, China, the UAE, and the USA.
Some trips were extended for personal engagements, such as a two-week working leave in the UK and France. Reports also revealed that the federal government spent N2.3 billion on presidential travels in six months of 2024.
Obi suggested that Tinubu conduct medical checkups in Nigerian hospitals, travel by road to witness the state of highways, and visit tertiary institutions and military formations. These efforts, he argued, would demonstrate a commitment to addressing the country’s issues firsthand.
“Mr. President, out of the approximately 580 days (as at December 29, 2024) you have been in office, it is reported that you have spent over 30%, or around 180 days, on more than 30 publicly recorded overseas trips. My appeal is that you dedicate at least 20% of 2025, roughly 72 days, to visit each of Nigeria’s 36 states for two days each.
“As President, such visits would give you the opportunity to better understand the dire economic and security situations across the country. Furthermore, it is time for you to visit our national hospitals. Consider, for example, that your next medical examination be conducted at one of our National Hospitals or Regional Federal Medical Centres, such as the FMC in Sokoto or Birnin Kebbi or Calabar or Umuahia or Akure, among others,” Obi said.
