A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has criticized President Bola Tinubu for traveling to France while Nigeria grapples with worsening insecurity and other national crises. George condemned the trip, describing it as insensitive and a reflection of the government’s misplaced priorities.
In a statement titled “Whither Nigeria, My Beloved Country,” which he personally signed, George lamented that while Nigerians face mounting security threats, the administration is focusing on less urgent matters, such as the recall of suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“Today, and with the series of crises, insecurity, hunger, joblessness, and other vices in the country, President Bola Tinubu has taken off to Paris, France for reasons best known to him and his handlers,” George stated. He expressed concern that while Nigerians live in fear for their safety, the Federal Government and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) appear more interested in political maneuvering than addressing the nation’s pressing issues.
The former PDP Deputy National Chairman further referenced historical events to warn about the potential consequences of the government’s actions. “As history is a faithful record of the past, it is also a prophecy of what is coming. That is why Fela’s song is still apt, decades after. Today, I see what led to the collapse of the First and Second Republics being repeated by the APC-led Federal Government,” he added.
President Tinubu departed Nigeria for France on Wednesday, a move that has sparked criticism from opposition figures and political analysts. While details about the purpose of the visit remain unclear, Tinubu’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that the president is expected to “return to Nigeria in about a fortnight.”
