The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has taken a swipe at President Bola Tinubu over his frequent foreign trips, accusing him of abandoning Nigerians at a time of worsening hardship and insecurity.
In a strongly worded post on Thursday, Obi lamented that the president had once again departed the country barely six days after returning from a 15-day trip.
This time to France for what is described as his annual holiday.
The former Anambra governor noted that the latest journey marked Tinubu’s 10th visit to France in just two years, questioning why the president seemed more comfortable abroad than at home.
Obi drew attention to the country’s dire realities, stressing that 79 percent of Nigerians, over 180 million people are currently facing food insecurity.
He also recalled recent damning global rankings which placed Nigeria as the worst country to give birth and one of the worst places to live, with the lowest life expectancy in the world.
“At a time when Nigerians need leadership, empathy, and presence, a President should not choose foreign holidays. True leadership is about sacrifice,” Obi wrote.
He further berated the president for failing to visit victims of recurring tragedies across the country.
Citing the massacre of worshippers in Katsina State last month, where more than 50 people were killed and over 60 kidnapped, Obi said it was disappointing that Tinubu did not deem it necessary to pay a condolence visit upon his return.
He also referenced the boat mishap in Niger State on Wednesday, which claimed the lives of at least 60 people, mostly women and children, with many still missing.
Obi wondered why the president could not make a brief trip to the state before leaving the country again.
“What would it have taken the president to take a less than 30-minute trip to Niger State from Abuja in his jet?
“Mr. President could have at least visited the grieving families before jetting off again.
“Where is the compassion for Nigerian lives?” Obi asked.
According to him, no holiday is more important than the lives of citizens, stressing that Nigerians deserve a leader who would stay on the ground to address pressing challenges like insecurity, poverty, poor healthcare, and lack of quality education.
