Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has raised concerns over President Bola Tinubu’s prolonged absence from Nigeria, accusing him of neglecting leadership responsibilities at a time of worsening socio-economic hardship.
In a statement shared on his X handle on Monday, Obi described the situation as a “national emergency” and demanded accountability. “Where is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?” he asked, stressing that Nigerians deserved clarity and reassurance.
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Obi claimed that nearly 140 million Nigerians are living in extreme poverty, with hunger, insecurity, and unemployment affecting millions of youths. He alleged that Tinubu spent “196 days abroad in 2025 alone, more than he has spent within his own country, at a time when we face profound crises.”
He criticised the President’s silence since December 2025, noting there was no New Year address or national broadcast. “Reports indicate he opted for a holiday in Europe while the nation was plunged into a New Year marked by hunger, anxiety and uncertainty,” Obi said.
Tinubu was reported to have left Lagos on December 28 for Europe and later travelled to Abu Dhabi to attend the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week at the invitation of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Obi contrasted Tinubu’s absence with leaders in other developing nations who step up during crises. “In Nigeria, following U.S. military strikes on our soil, our President remained silent. Nigerians learned about these critical events from foreign media and vague communications from aides, rather than from their own leader,” he added.
He condemned the President’s frequent attendance at international summits while being absent at home, describing it as “neglect.” Obi questioned whether Nigeria was truly being governed or “managed from elsewhere,” stressing that leadership required direct engagement and communication with citizens.
“You cannot run Nigeria like a personal business or a private club. Progress is impossible without unity and consensus, and it begins with strong leadership that sets the tone. In a time of crisis, the absence of leadership is not just troubling; it is perilous. Silence in the face of crisis is the loudest form of failure,” he concluded.
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