Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has raised serious concerns over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s prolonged absence from Nigeria during a period marked by deepening national challenges including worsening poverty, insecurity, and high unemployment.
Obi made the remarks in a post on X, pointing out that the President spent 196 days abroad in 2025 alone, more time outside the country than he spent within it, even as Nigerians struggle with multiple crises.
Obi’s comments come amid rising public unease over extreme poverty, high youth unemployment, food insecurity, and worsening infant mortality, with the former Labour Party presidential candidate saying Nigerians are being left without leadership, direction, or reassurance from their commander-in-chief.
He noted that since December 2025, Nigerians have not heard directly from their President and alleged that the President opted for a holiday in Europe while the nation entered the New Year amid hunger, anxiety and uncertainty.
What he said “In the midst of this chaos, where has our President been? Spending 196 days abroad in 2025 alone more than he has spent within his own country, at a time when we face profound crises,” Obi wrote on X, describing his query not as a mere question but as a critical demand for accountability in a national emergency.
He said there was no New Year address, no national broadcast, and no leadership voice to reassure Nigerians.
Obi also criticised the President’s silence on major national and security developments, saying that in some cases Nigerians learned about critical events like alleged foreign military activity on Nigerian soil from foreign media, American officials, or vague statements from presidential aides rather than directly from Tinubu himself.
“This is not governance; it’s neglect,” he said.
He further pointed out that the President was seen abroad again for another international summit at a time when leadership presence was most needed at home, even citing an earlier instance where an AI-generated image was sent to the nation instead of a direct address from the President.
Obi emphasised that Nigerians are not asking for perfection, but they expect their leader to be present, engaged and communicating directly with the people.
Why this matters Obi warned that the absence of strong, visible leadership undermines national unity and makes it harder to implement policies, reforms or economic plans effectively.
His remarks reflect growing public frustration over slow or absent executive engagement amid persistent socio-economic difficulties and security challenges confronting Nigeria.
Image Credit: Nairametrics
Source: Nairametrics
