Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Mr. Peter Obi has faulted President Bola Tinubu’s decision to embark on a three-week leave when Nigeria is in deep crisis.
It is the second time in two days that Obi is criticising President Tinubu’s actions.
On Monday, Obi, in post on his social media accounts, said President Tinubu’s decision to file a case in a US court to block the FBI from release his past records was embrassing.
Obi had also expressed concern over the example being set for Nigeria’s 30 million youths by unresolved issues about Tinubu’s primary and secondary education.
Obi’s statement on Tuesday, which he also posted on his social media accounts, points to the crisis in Nigeria that requires the attention of the president.
“Nigeria is in deep crisis. Nigerians can barely afford food and transportation.
“Insecurity is ravaging communities, and thousands of children are unable to access education because of insecurity.
“Just days ago, about 600 Nigerians, predominantly women, children, and the elderly, were reportedly abducted during Juma’at prayers in Niger State.
“Yet, at this critical moment, the President has left the country for another holiday,” Obi said.
Obi also pointed out the amount of public resources that the president has spent on his travels, even at a time that government’s release of funds to critical sectors falls short of expected minimum.
“According to reports, government expenditure on presidential trips and related travel expenses between June 2023 and April 2026 amounted to about ₦37.64 billion, with the President spending approximately 261 days outside Nigeria.
“Meanwhile, only ₦36 million was reportedly released to the Federal Ministry of Health in 2025, despite a capital allocation of ₦218 billion, in a country of over 230 million people.
“This is the calamity befalling our country today.
“A government that can spend tens of billions on presidential travel while critical sectors remain starved of funds, and Nigerians are asked to endure worsening hardship, must not be allowed to continue,” the NDC presidential candidate said.
Insisting that leadership is about priorities, Obi said President Tinubu should be more concerned about fixing Nigeria than leaving it.
“When citizens cannot feed their families, move safely, access healthcare, send their children to school, or sleep peacefully in their homes, the President should be more concerned about fixing the country than repeatedly leaving it.
“I look forward to a Nigeria where our President can vacation in Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Cross River State, Bauchi, Ebonyi, and many other destinations across our country.
“The President of Nigeria should be the chief marketer of Nigeria as a tourism destination, as other comparable countries do.
“Imagine the economic possibilities if our leaders, celebrities, business communities, and citizens travelled within Nigeria more frequently.
“Tourism creates jobs. It supports hospitality, transportation, agriculture, entertainment, crafts, and small businesses. It brings investment and foreign exchange and allows communities to benefit directly from their natural and cultural assets.
“We cannot continue to export our wealth and import our pleasures while our own enormous potential remains neglected.
“We deserve leadership that puts Nigeria first; leadership that cares and plans for a better Nigeria. That is the kind of leadership that the partnership between H.E. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and me will bring,” Obi stated.
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