Kenneth Okonkwo Slams Tinubu Over Frequent Foreign Stays, Declares APC A Curse On Nation’s Future

 

Nollywood actor turned politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, has delivered a scathing criticism of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), branding it a curse on Nigeria. Speaking on Friday during an interview on Sunrise Daily, a programme aired on Channels Television, the Labour Party chieftain faulted President Bola Tinubu’s frequent trips abroad, arguing that a nation grappling with severe economic and social crises requires its leader’s full presence at home rather than extended vacations in foreign lands.

The outspoken actor insisted that Nigeria’s current situation demands a more hands-on approach from its leadership. According to him, Tinubu has spent a greater portion of his time outside the country since assuming office, a trend that he believes undermines governance at a time when urgent reforms are needed. He emphasized that presidents of nations with comparable challenges rarely prioritize personal leisure or external stays over addressing domestic issues.

Okonkwo pointed to Nigeria’s deteriorating education sector as one of the clearest indicators of instability. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has recently signaled its readiness to embark on another nationwide strike due to unresolved disputes with the federal government. Such recurring threats, he argued, demonstrate the absence of consistent policy and effective leadership to stabilize the education system. He also raised concerns about the healthcare sector, where medical professionals, particularly doctors and nurses, have issued fresh warnings about possible strikes over welfare and working conditions.

While citing these examples, Okonkwo maintained that a government should be more proactive in tackling problems rather than watching them escalate. He described the situation as a ticking time bomb, with strikes from key sectors potentially grinding the nation’s operations to a halt.

Security concerns were another major point raised by the actor-politician. He lamented the killings and insecurity plaguing states like Zamfara and Katsina, where banditry and violent attacks continue to claim lives. He accused the government of neglecting the plight of citizens in such regions while its chief executive vacations in Europe. For him, leadership should be about presence, empathy, and decisive action, not absenteeism.

The Nollywood veteran went further to highlight the condition of malnourished children across the country, comparing Nigeria unfavorably with war-ravaged Sudan. According to him, it is shameful that a country blessed with abundant human and natural resources has fallen to such a dire humanitarian state. He argued that this is evidence of poor governance and misplaced priorities by the ruling party.

In his passionate remarks, Okonkwo underscored that the APC has failed to bring meaningful change since its emergence, describing its legacy as one of hardship, instability, and unfulfilled promises. For him, the continued stay of the party in power only deepens the woes of ordinary Nigerians.

He insisted that leadership is not about occupying office but about demonstrating responsibility and sacrifice. He stressed that a president who spends valuable time outside the country while his citizens grapple with poverty, insecurity, and failing public institutions cannot be said to have the interest of the people at heart.

Okonkwo further criticized the administration’s handling of the oil sector, noting that the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has already threatened industrial action. He argued that a nation where education, healthcare, infrastructure, and oil supply chains are all unstable cannot be regarded as progressing.

According to him, the president’s absence sends the wrong signal to citizens and the international community alike. While other world leaders devote energy to stabilizing their economies and protecting their people, Nigeria’s leader, he argued, seems more preoccupied with staying abroad under the guise of vacations.

His comments reflect broader frustrations among Nigerians who feel disconnected from those in power. With inflation on the rise, unemployment remaining high, and insecurity worsening, citizens increasingly demand a leadership that demonstrates commitment through visible presence and effective decision-making.

Observers note that Kenneth Okonkwo’s criticisms resonate with many Nigerians who are worried about the frequency of foreign trips undertaken by top government officials. The controversy surrounding Tinubu’s travels has only amplified debates about accountability and the urgency of reform in key national sectors.

While supporters of the government argue that the president’s trips may involve engagements crucial for diplomacy and investment, critics maintain that governance must begin at home, particularly in a nation experiencing severe distress. For now, the divide continues to widen between those defending the administration and those who, like Okonkwo, see APC’s dominance as a national curse.

At the heart of the matter lies the fundamental question of what Nigerians truly expect from their leaders. For Kenneth Okonkwo, the answer is simple: presence, responsibility, and genuine concern for the welfare of the people. Until such values define the character of leadership, he believes Nigeria will remain stuck in cycles of instability and disappointment.