NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi has condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s latest trip abroad, calling it tone-deaf as Nigeria grapples with food inflation, insecurity, and mass abductions.
In a statement released Tuesday, Obi said Tinubu has left Nigeria for “another holiday, this time beginning a three-week vacation in Europe” at a moment he described as a national crisis.
Obi pointed to worsening hardship across the country as the reason the President should stay home.
“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.
He referenced a recent attack in Niger State: “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 accused the administration of misplaced spending priorities, citing figures on travel and health funding:
– *₦37.64 billion*: Government expenditure on presidential trips and related travel expenses between June 2023 and April 2026, according to reports referenced by Obi
– *261 days*: Time Obi said the President has spent outside Nigeria within that period
– *₦36 million*: Amount reportedly released to the Federal Ministry of Health in 2025, despite a capital allocation of ₦218 billion
“This is the calamity befalling our country today,” Obi stated. “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.”
Obi said the presidency should be promoting domestic tourism instead.
“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,” he said.
“The President of Nigeria should be the chief marketer of Nigeria as a tourism destination, as other comparable countries do. Tourism creates jobs. It supports hospitality, transportation, agriculture, entertainment, crafts, and small businesses.”
“We cannot continue to export our wealth and import our pleasures while our own enormous potential remains neglected.”
Obi closed by tying the criticism to his 2027 ambitions alongside his running partner.
“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. A New Nigeria is POssible.”
