Tinubu should prioritise troubled Nigerians over international conferences – Obi

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s frequent foreign travels, accusing him of showing indifference to Nigeria’s deepening security, economic, and humanitarian crises.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Obi described the President’s latest overseas itinerary as “insensitive” and “poorly timed,” particularly in light of Nigeria’s growing insecurity, poverty, and economic instability.

“How can anyone explain that a President who just returned from Brazil is going back to the same country again, while leaving behind a nation grappling with multiple challenges?” Obi queried.

According to the itinerary released by the presidency, Tinubu is scheduled to depart Abuja on Thursday, August 14, for a 12-day trip that includes stops in Dubai, Japan, and Brazil. In Japan, he is expected to attend the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), holding in Yokohama from August 20 to 22. However, no specific return date has been announced.

Obi expressed particular concern that the President has not made visits to Nigeria’s most troubled states but has consistently prioritized foreign trips, sometimes departing several days ahead of scheduled events. He referenced Tinubu’s recent visit to St. Lucia before the BRICS summit, which Nigeria attended only as an observer.

“Nigerians are living in pain. Insecurity is at an all-time high. We are one of the most fragile economies and among the hungriest nations globally. At a time like this, Nigeria needs a President who is present and fully engaged, not one who behaves like a tourist,” Obi said.

He emphasized that while international engagement is sometimes necessary, such trips should be brief and productive. “If this trip was truly essential, it could have been condensed into five days. The event in Japan doesn’t even begin until August 20,” he added.

Obi urged the President to begin nationwide visits to troubled regions, listen directly to the people, and act decisively to address their concerns. “Nigerians are not asking for miracles. They simply want to see effort, presence, and commitment,” he said.

The former Anambra State governor concluded by calling for “competent leadership with capacity and compassion,” reiterating his belief that “a New Nigeria is possible.”