Tinubu,Shettima’s excursions do not represent common sense.— Obi
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, has criticised President Bola Tinubu and his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, for their international trips.
He expressed concern that the travels were taking place at a time when the country was facing domestic issues.
Tinubu left for the United Kingdom on October 2, 2024, for a two-week work trip. He later left the UK for France on Friday, October 11, for “another important engagement,” according to his Senior Special Assistant on Political and Other Matters, Ibrahim Masari.
Shettima left Abuja on Wednesday for a two-day visit to Sweden to represent Nigeria in bilateral activities.
The Presidency justified both visits on Wednesday, stating that Tinubu’s and his deputy’s absence did not create a leadership vacuum in Nigeria. It stated that the two key officers are “fully engaged with the nation’s affairs, even while away.”
However, in a post on his X on Friday, Obi, a former Anambra State governor, expressed concern that Tinubu and his deputy were not in the country when residents needed them the most.
He wrote, “While it is arguable that with the President and Vice President absent from the Villa, there is no vacancy in the Presidency, in a situation where both the President and Vice President are out of the country, as reported in the media yesterday, it is concerning for a country with so many domestic problems.
The president had informed us that his absence would only be for 14 days. After 14 days, we are still expecting to see him in the nation. Given the number of labour required in a volatile country like ours, one would expect him to return sooner than planned.
“Some of his administration’s policies have unleashed unimaginable hardship on our people, and we need his urgent attention to guide the nation out of this present situation.”
He queries why the President, who is allegedly in Paris, France, only 833 nautical miles from Stockholm, Sweden, did not simply attend the two-day business visit.
Obi continued, “He could have done it on his way back from France with his new powerful jet, which would have taken him slightly more than 2 hours. This would have saved time and valuable national resources, which are in short supply at the moment.
“Instead, he delegated the Vice President, who had to travel 3055 nautical miles, over nine hours, and (about four times the travel time from Paris) Abuja, Nigeria, to Stockholm, Sweden, to represent him at the event.”
“Travelling from Abuja to Stockholm would require approximately four times the time and distance of a trip from Paris to Stockholm.” This demonstrates a lack of budgetary responsibility and common sense among leaders confronted with extreme hunger and poverty.
“This is the time to show true and committed leadership to the people by making decisions that prioritise the well-being of the people and effective management of the nation’s scarce resources in alleviating the sufferings of the people.”
Meanwhile, the trips mark only the second time both officials have left the country at the same time since taking office 17 months ago.
Shettima departed Nigeria in late April and early May 2024, first to Nairobi to attend the International Development Association Heads of State Summit, while Tinubu was in London after visiting the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia for the World Economic Forum.
Following his return, the Corporate Council on Africa scheduled him to attend the US-Africa Business Summit in Dallas, Texas. However, the VP cancelled his trip and returned to the country.
Tinubu returned to Abuja on May 8.