Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has issued a stern appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to immediately suspend his current foreign retreat in France and return to Nigeria to confront the worsening security crisis plaguing the nation.
Obi’s statement, released via his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, underscores growing public frustration over what many perceive as leadership negligence at a time of national emergency.
The call comes against the backdrop of President Tinubu’s controversial absence from the country since April 2. While the Presidency has insisted the trip is a “working visit,” speculation has swirled over the true purpose of the travel. Critics, including prominent activist Omoyele Sowore, have alleged that the President is in France for undisclosed medical reasons—claims the government has vehemently denied.
In an attempt to dispel these reports, Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, clarified on Channels Television’s Politics Today that the President’s visit is strictly for official engagements. Similarly, Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, assured that the President would return “in about a fortnight.”
However, critics argue that the timing of the trip is highly insensitive, given the magnitude of unrest within the country. In his strongly worded statement, Obi painted a grim picture of the state of the nation.
“In the two weeks you have been away,” Obi stated, “over 150 Nigerians have lost their lives to insecurity, particularly in Plateau and Zamfara States.”
The former Anambra State governor also cited disturbing trends in the Niger Delta, where pipeline explosions continue to threaten lives and livelihoods, further exacerbating the country’s fragile economic and energy stability.
Obi noted that across all six geopolitical zones, the signs of a collapsing security architecture are evident:
North East: Renewed insurgency in Borno State, with reports of both military and civilian casualties.
North West: Persistent banditry and mass killings in Zamfara and surrounding states.
South East: Unrelenting wave of abductions and targeted killings by unidentified gunmen.
South South: Environmental and safety disasters stemming from pipeline explosions.
Despite these crises, President Tinubu remains in France, a decision Obi likened to an absent CEO abandoning a company in chaos.
“The CEO of the troubled company called Nigeria is retreating to a faraway land from the company’s headquarters,” Obi remarked. “This does not reflect the leadership that a new Nigeria demands.”
Obi concluded by urging the President to demonstrate moral and constitutional responsibility by returning home and taking direct control of the nation’s affairs.
“The nation is bleeding. Nigerians are not only dying but losing hope. It is imperative that the President suspends his activities abroad and immediately addresses these cascading issues of insecurity and governance failure,” he added.
Public Discontent and Leadership Accountability
Obi’s remarks reflect a broader concern shared by many Nigerians who feel increasingly vulnerable and abandoned. Since the beginning of April, reports of violence and killings have surged, especially in the Middle Belt and northern regions, yet no decisive federal intervention has been seen on ground.
Critics argue that the Tinubu administration has yet to define a clear national security strategy, nor has it demonstrated the political will to engage with the deep-rooted causes of regional conflicts.
In a democracy, absence during national crises can be seen as a dereliction of duty. Obi’s statement not only questions the timing of Tinubu’s trip but calls into question the government’s overall commitment to the safety and stability of Nigeria.
As citizens await the President’s return, the question remains: How long can a nation in crisis afford a silent Commander-in-Chief?
Reference
Suspend France Trip, Nigerians Are Dying – Obi Slams Tinubu Over Absence Amid Rising Insecurity