Peter Obi Questions President Tinubu's International Travel Priorities Amid National Crisis
The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has raised serious concerns about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's governance priorities, particularly his extensive international travels during a period of severe national challenges. Obi highlighted that in January 2026 alone, President Tinubu spent a total of 23 days abroad across two separate trips, raising questions about his commitment to addressing pressing domestic issues.
Obi's Critique of Presidential Absences
In a statement released via his official X handle on Sunday, February 1, 2026, Peter Obi expressed deep concern about the president's frequent absences from the country. He noted that while leaders in other nations typically focus on domestic governance at the beginning of the year, Nigeria's president has prioritized international engagements over urgent national matters.
"This first month serves as a critical measure of the challenges that lie ahead, and it is painfully evident that the situation in the country continues to worsen," Obi stated, describing January 2026 as a distressing period for Nigeria.
Details of Tinubu's International Travels
According to Obi's analysis, President Tinubu's travel schedule in January 2026 was particularly concerning:
- He began the year overseas and returned on January 17
- He departed again less than 10 days later on January 26 to Türkiye
- He remained abroad as of January 31, completing 23 days of international travel
Obi questioned what urgent matters continuously warranted such prolonged absences from the nation, especially during a time when Nigeria faces multiple crises.
National Challenges During Presidential Absences
The presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) highlighted several critical issues that have worsened during the president's travels:
- Insecurity across various regions of the country
- Food shortages affecting millions of Nigerians
- Workers' strikes disrupting essential services
Obi lamented that President Tinubu seemed unperturbed by these challenges while focusing on international engagements. He particularly criticized that when the president does return to Nigeria, his activities often appear limited to welcoming defectors into the All Progressives Congress (APC) before departing again on another international trip.
Political Context and 2027 Elections
The criticism comes amid growing political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections, where Peter Obi has emerged as a significant opposition figure. Recently, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, former first lady of Ondo State, pledged her unwavering support for Obi's presidential ambition, declaring it was "Peter Obi or nothing" for the 2027 election.
Meanwhile, political realignments continue, with notable figures like Salako Ifeoluwa Adedayo, a staunch Obi supporter, resigning from the Labour Party to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in preparation for the upcoming elections.
As Nigeria approaches another election cycle, questions about governance priorities and presidential accountability are likely to remain at the forefront of political discourse, with Obi's criticism reflecting broader concerns about leadership focus during times of national crisis.
