The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to spend three weeks on vacation in Europe, arguing that the country’s current challenges require greater attention from its leadership.
The Presidency had earlier explained that Tinubu’s trip was “part of his annual leave. His first stop will be London, United Kingdom. President Tinubu is expected to return home after the working vacation to join the hectic campaign for the January 2027 election.”
Obi, however, questioned the timing of the vacation, citing the rising cost of living, insecurity and disruptions to education caused by violence in parts of the country.
“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,” he said in a statement posted on his X handle on Monday.
He also criticised what he described as the use of public funds for presidential travel while important sectors continue to face funding challenges.
“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.
“Leadership is about priorities. 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.”
The former Anambra State governor also questioned why the President did not choose a Nigerian destination for his vacation.
He said he looks “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.”
According to Obi, the President should play a leading role in promoting Nigeria as a tourism destination, just as leaders do in other countries.
“The President of Nigeria should be the chief marketer of Nigeria as a tourism destination, as other comparable countries do.”
He argued that increased domestic travel by political leaders, celebrities, businesses and ordinary citizens could generate significant economic benefits.
“Tourism creates jobs,” he said. “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.”
Obi concluded that Nigeria needs a “leadership that puts Nigeria first; leadership that cares and plans for a better Nigeria.”
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