Peter Obi: Tinubu spent 196 of 365 days abroad in 2025 amid national crises

Peter Obi, Labour Party presidential candidate in the last election, has criticised President Bola Tinubu for spending 196 days outside Nigeria in 2025, raising questions about leadership and accountability as the country grapples with severe economic and security challenges.

In a statement, Obi highlighted that Nigeria is home to roughly 140 million people living in extreme poverty, with high youth unemployment, widespread hunger, and poor healthcare outcomes. He questioned the absence of the President during such critical times.

“Since December 2025, Nigerians have not heard a word from their President. Reports indicate he opted for a holiday in Europe while the nation entered the New Year facing hunger, anxiety, and uncertainty. There was no New Year address, no national broadcast, no leadership voice to provide reassurance or guidance,” Obi said.

He also criticised the government’s response to security incidents, pointing out that Nigerians learned about U.S. military strikes on Nigerian soil from foreign media and American officials rather than from the Presidency. Obi further recalled that the administration had previously used an AI-generated image instead of addressing citizens directly.

Obi warned that leadership absence during national emergencies undermines unity and national development. “Leadership is not simply issuing press releases; it’s about standing before the people, engaging with them, and offering clarity. We are not asking for perfection; we demand presence,” he said.

The former Anambra State governor called for direct communication from the President through media briefings, stressing that Nigerians deserve to know the true state of the nation. “Progress is impossible without unity and consensus, and it begins with strong leadership that sets the tone. When leadership withdraws, unity falters, and the fabric of our society unravels under the weight of mistrust and division,” he added.