Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, has raised concerns about the international trips recently embarked upon by President Bola Tinubu and his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima. Obi expressed his disapproval, saying that the trips came at a time when Nigeria is facing multiple domestic challenges, and that their absence from the country was particularly concerning.
Tinubu left for the United Kingdom on October 2, 2024, for a two-week working leave. After spending some time in the UK, he moved on to France on October 11 for “another important engagement,” as confirmed by his Senior Special Assistant on Political and Other Matters, Ibrahim Masari. Meanwhile, Vice President Shettima, who had departed Abuja on October 9, was in Sweden for a two-day visit, representing Nigeria in bilateral engagements with the Scandinavian nation.
The trips prompted some backlash, particularly from Obi, who took to social media on Friday to voice his concerns. Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, stated that the timing of the trips was questionable, given Nigeria’s current domestic issues. “While it is arguable that with the President and Vice President absent from the Villa, there is no vacancy in the Presidency, in a situation where both the President and Vice President are out of the country, as reported in the media yesterday, it’s concerning for a country with such myriads of domestic problems,” Obi wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Obi further criticized the lengthy absences of the nation’s top leaders, expressing frustration that they were not present to address the nation’s pressing issues. “The President had told us he would only be gone for 14 days. The 14 days have passed now, and we are waiting to see him in the country. One would have expected him to return earlier than expected, considering the volume of work that needs to be done in a troubled nation like ours,” Obi said.
The Labour Party flagbearer also highlighted what he perceived as a lack of urgency on the part of both leaders in addressing the nation’s challenges. “The untold hardship that has been unleashed on our people as a result of some of his administration’s policies is unimaginable and we need his urgent attention to pilot the nation out of this present situation,” Obi added.
In a detailed critique, Obi pointed out the geographic proximity of France and Sweden, questioning why the President did not choose to attend the bilateral talks in Sweden himself. “Since the President is reportedly in Paris, France, which is just about 833 nautical miles from Stockholm, Sweden, one wonders why he did not just attend the 2-day working visit to Sweden,” he said.
Obi also raised concerns about the inefficiency and unnecessary expense of delegating such a trip to Shettima. “He could simply have done it on his way back from France with his new powerful jet, which would have taken him a little over 2 hours. This would have saved time and the very scarce national resources we need critically at this time,” Obi said.
The former governor emphasized that the Vice President’s journey from Abuja to Stockholm, a distance of 3055 nautical miles, was far less efficient, taking over nine hours. “It would take about 4 times the time and distance it takes to travel from Paris to Stockholm to travel from Abuja to Stockholm. This does not represent the kind of fiscal responsibility and common sense that is expected of leaders whose people are facing severe hunger and poverty,” Obi said.
Obi’s comments have stirred debate, with many Nigerians questioning whether the country’s leadership is prioritizing the welfare of its citizens amid the current economic and social challenges. “This is the time to show true and committed leadership to the people by making decisions that prioritize the well-being of the people and effective management of the nation’s scarce resources in alleviating the sufferings of the people,” Obi concluded.
The Presidency, however, has defended the trips, assuring the public that the absence of both the President and Vice President did not create a vacuum in the leadership of the country. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Presidency asserted that both leaders were “fully engaged with the nation’s affairs, even while away.”
This latest criticism comes as Nigeria grapples with a myriad of pressing issues, including inflation, unemployment, and widespread poverty. Tinubu’s policies, particularly the removal of the fuel subsidy, have led to significant public discontent and economic strain for many Nigerians.
The international trips are not the first time that both the President and his deputy have been abroad simultaneously since assuming office in May 2023. The two leaders were both out of the country between late April and early May 2024. During that period, Tinubu visited London, after stops in the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, where he attended the World Economic Forum. At the same time, Shettima was attending the International Development Association Heads of State Summit in Nairobi, Kenya.
After his stay in Nairobi, Shettima had planned a visit to the US-Africa Business Summit in Dallas, Texas, but had to cut the trip short and return to Nigeria midway. Tinubu himself returned to Abuja on May 8, 2024, after completing his engagements abroad.
The concurrent absences of the nation’s top leaders are raising important questions about leadership priorities, especially in times of crisis. As Nigeria continues to struggle with economic and social issues, the public is increasingly scrutinizing the decisions made by its leaders, particularly their international engagements, and whether they are in the best interest of the country.
