Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has raised concerns regarding President Bola Tinubu’s extensive foreign travels since taking office. As of December 29, 2024, Obi noted that President Tinubu has spent over 180 days abroad—approximately 30% of his tenure—on more than 30 publicly recorded trips.
Obi made these remarks during a media chat in Abuja, emphasizing the need for selfless and exemplary leadership in Nigeria as the country approaches the 2025 elections. He highlighted that President Tinubu, who was sworn in on May 29, 2023, has traveled to at least 16 countries, including multiple visits to the UK and other nations like China, India, and the UAE.
Notably, in August, President Tinubu held bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and attended the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. Following this, he spent a week in the UK and later returned to the UK for a two-week working leave in October.
Obi also pointed out the financial implications of these foreign trips, revealing that the Tinubu administration spent N2.3 billion on travel-related expenses within just six months of 2024.
In light of these travels, Obi appealed to the president to dedicate more time to understanding the pressing issues within Nigeria. He suggested that Tinubu should allocate at least 72 days in 2025 to visit each of Nigeria’s 36 states for two days each. Such visits would allow the president to gain firsthand knowledge of the economic and security challenges facing the country.
Furthermore, Obi urged Tinubu to prioritize visits to national hospitals and local communities, recommending that the president experience the conditions of healthcare facilities and highways firsthand. He recounted a past experience where a trip he took with former President Olusegun Obasanjo led to immediate improvements in road infrastructure.
Obi also encouraged the president to visit military formations and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps to boost morale and provide reassurance to affected Nigerians. He emphasized the need for the government to address corruption aggressively, advocating for increased transparency in public procurement and better management of public funds.
In conclusion, Obi stressed that Nigerians should hear directly from President Tinubu rather than through intermediaries. He underscored the importance of quarterly updates on the government’s efforts to tackle the myriad challenges facing the nation.
