Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress’ presidential standard-bearer, has decried President Bola Tinubu’s trip to Europe, claiming the timing is inconsiderate.
In a statement on Monday, Mr Obi noted Mr Tinubu left the country on Sunday for a three-week vacation in Europe, while Nigerians “can barely afford food and transportation”. Mr Tinubu’s first stop will be London.
“Insecurity is ravaging communities, and thousands of children are unable to access education because of insecurity.
“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,” Mr Obi said.
The NDC presidential candidate also lamented the cost of Mr Tinubu’s foreign trips, while critical sectors are underfunded.
“According to reports, government expenditure on presidential trips and related travel expenses between June 2023 and April 2026 amounted to about ₦37.64 billion, with the president spending approximately 261 days outside Nigeria,” Mr Obi explained.
“Meanwhile, only ₦36 million was reportedly released to the Federal Ministry of Health in 2025, despite a capital allocation of ₦218 billion, in a country of over 230 million people.”
The former Anambra governor described the situation as a “calamity”.
“This is the calamity befalling our country today,” he 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.”
Mr Obi said, “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.
“I look forward to a Nigeria where our president can vacation in Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Cross River, Bauchi, Ebonyi, and many other destinations across our country. The president of Nigeria should be the chief marketer of Nigeria as a tourism destination, as other comparable countries do.”
“We cannot continue to export our wealth and import our pleasures while our own enormous potential remains neglected. 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.”