Tinubu’s Penchant for Holidays While Nigerians Suffer Is Disheartening — Obi

Abuja, Nigeria
Former vice president and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticized President Bola Tinubu for spending an excessive amount of time abroad while many Nigerians continue to face serious hardship.

Obi’s Concerns Over Frequent Travel

Speaking during a press briefing today, Obi highlighted that Tinubu has taken more than 30 foreign trips since assuming office in May 2023, spending roughly 30 percent of his presidency overseas—totaling around 180 days abroad 

Obi argued that this pattern is inappropriate given the mounting economic, healthcare, and security crises at home.

This Is Not the Time for Holidaying

Addressing Tinubu directly, Obi emphasized that frequent international trips during a period of national hardship are “disheartening.” He urged the president to spend at least 20 percent of 2025 visiting all 36 states, engage directly with communities, inspect hospitals, address security concerns, and connect with ordinary Nigerians.

The Human Cost

He noted that much of the country has been left to grapple with inflation, insecurity, fuel price hikes, and rising poverty. Obi said such travel habits risk projecting a leadership detached from the reality Nigerians face.

Presidency’s Defense

Responding to earlier criticism, Tinubu’s media team stated the president remained “fully engaged” in governance while overseas, maintaining communication with security chiefs, attending to national matters, and staging his return after short working vacations.

Why This Matters

• Leadership by Presence: Obi argues that leadership requires physical presence during crises, not vacations.

• Transparency & Accountability: With vast national challenges, opponents are calling for concrete in-country action over international diplomacy.

• Political Strategy: Obi is framing this narrative to contrast his approach with Tinubu’s, highlighting absentee governance.

Stay tuned with News Houz for ongoing coverage: reactions from Tinubu’s team, deeper analysis of state-level impacts, and public opinion on whether leadership should be domestic or international during crises.