Obi Slams Tinubu For Frequent Foreign Trips While Nigerians Battle Starvation, Insecurity, Poor Healthcare And Endless Tragedies

 

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has strongly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for embarking on yet another foreign trip at a time when Nigeria is facing mounting crises. His comments came shortly after the President left the country for Europe on Friday, barely six days after returning from a previous journey.

Obi, who served as governor of Anambra State, took to his social media account to highlight what he described as the troubling contrast between Tinubu’s frequent absence from the country and the dire conditions citizens are enduring daily. He warned that leadership cannot thrive on neglect and emphasized that no holiday or foreign engagement should take precedence over the lives of Nigerians.

The criticism comes amid reports that the latest trip marks Tinubu’s tenth visit to France in just two years, a trend Obi portrayed as alarming. According to him, it gives the impression of a president more comfortable outside the country than in it, raising questions about his priorities and commitment to solving Nigeria’s escalating problems.

Nigeria is grappling with some of its most severe socio-economic challenges in decades. Obi underscored that over 79 percent of the population is experiencing food insecurity, translating to more than 180 million people living with hunger. He further reminded Nigerians of international reports ranking the country as one of the worst places for childbirth, as well as one of the most difficult environments for survival and life expectancy.

While these grim statistics continue to mount, the nation has also been hit by tragedies that underline its fragile security and inadequate emergency responses. Just last month, bandits stormed communities in Katsina State, killing more than 50 worshippers and villagers in coordinated assaults, while also kidnapping over 60 people. In Niger State, a devastating boat mishap recently claimed 60 lives, most of them women and children, leaving families shattered and communities grieving.

Obi questioned why the President has failed to personally visit these locations to console affected families or to demonstrate empathy in moments of national pain. He argued that with all the resources and infrastructure at the disposal of the presidency, it would have taken less than 30 minutes by air to reach Niger State and stand by citizens mourning their loved ones. Instead, the President chose to jet off for what was described as an annual holiday abroad.

According to Obi, such choices project an image of a leader detached from the reality on the ground, one who prioritizes personal comfort over national responsibility. He expressed worry that the President’s repeated absence has become almost routine, warning that leadership by proxy cannot adequately address Nigeria’s mounting crises.

“The question must be asked: where is the compassion for Nigerian lives? How many more need to die before the President assumes his duty as a leader present at home?” Obi wrote. He stressed that leadership is not measured by luxury trips or foreign stays but by the ability to sacrifice, stay engaged, and provide direction when the nation is drowning in hardship.

The former governor also called on Tinubu’s administration to focus squarely on fixing the most pressing issues facing citizens. He outlined key areas of urgent attention including healthcare reform, educational investment, poverty alleviation, and above all, securing the lives and properties of Nigerians. Without such commitment, Obi warned, the government risks losing both credibility and the trust of its people.

Obi’s message resonated with many Nigerians online, where the hashtag criticizing Tinubu’s foreign trips quickly began trending. Several commentators argued that the symbolism of leaving the country for leisure at such a sensitive time only deepens public frustration.

For decades, Nigerians have complained about leaders who appear disconnected from the struggles of ordinary people. From inadequate hospitals to collapsed schools, high unemployment, inflation, and spiraling insecurity, the list of challenges is long and relentless. Obi’s remarks struck at the heart of this frustration, demanding a government that embodies compassion and responsibility rather than one perceived to be perpetually on vacation.

As families continue to mourn victims of insecurity and tragedies across the country, Obi’s intervention has reignited debate about what Nigerians should expect from their leaders. His words serve as a sharp reminder that leadership is not about escaping difficulties but facing them head-on with courage, empathy, and dedication.

For many Nigerians, the demand is simple: a president who chooses to stand with his people through their darkest hours rather than one who repeatedly flies abroad when the nation cries for attention.