Obi Faults Tinubu’s Trip Abroad, Says No Holiday Is More Important Than Nigerian Lives

Abuja, Nigeria– Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticised President Bola Tinubu for embarking on a foreign holiday at a time when Nigeria is reeling from deadly attacks and tragedies.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, accused the president of neglecting his duty to show leadership and empathy, warning that no holiday should take precedence over Nigerian lives.

His comments come after more than 50 people were reportedly killed and over 60 others kidnapped in a mosque and village attack in Katsina State. The incident adds to a series of bandit attacks and abductions that rocked the country last month.

Obi also referenced the boat mishap in Niger State that claimed the lives of at least 60 people, including women and children, with many still missing.

Obi said at a time when Nigerians need leadership, empathy, and presence, a President should not choose foreign holidays.

He said one would have expected the President to visit at least one of the affected states when he arrived six days ago, or at the very least Niger State.

Obi asked what it would have taken Tinubu to make a trip of less than 30 minutes from Abuja in his jet to commiserate with grieving families before jetting off again.

He questioned the president’s compassion.

The statement read, “From all indications, our President is not finding his home in Nigeria conducive for a long stay, and it should be concerning to us.

“Just yesterday, for the umpteenth time, Mr. President waved the nation goodbye again, barely 6 days after his return to Nigeria, after he spent 15 whole days for just a five-day engagement. He is now heading for about his 10th trip to France in two years, this time for his annual holiday. It does look like Mr. President is running away from Nigeria at every slight opportunity. And one would wonder why so much of his two years in office has been spent on holidays or away from the very country he was elected to preside over.

“Meanwhile, at least 79% of Nigerians have been reported to be facing food insecurity, that is over 180 million people facing hunger.

“Nigeria, just last month, was declared the worst country to give birth, and just weeks ago, the worst place to live, with the world’s worst life expectancy. We deserve a president with all hands on deck to solve these issues.”

According to the former governor, “Across Nigeria, last month alone while Mr. President was on one of his very many trips, over 50 people were killed in the horrifying mosque and village attack in Katsina State, with over 60 people kidnapped. This is exclusive of the many bandit attacks and kidnappings just last month.

“One would have expected that the president would at least visit one of these states when he arrived 6 days ago, or at least visit Niger State where just yesterday, 60 of our citizens, women and young children, died in a boat mishap with many more still missing. What would it have taken the president to take a less than 30-minute trip to Niger State from Abuja in his jet? Mr. President could have at least visited the grieving families in Niger before jetting off again. Where is the compassion for Nigerian lives, Mr. President? How many more need to die for you to preside over the country?

“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. True leadership is about sacrifice and the ability to improve healthcare, invest in quality education, pull millions out of poverty, and guarantee the security of every citizen,” Obi added.