The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has launched a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu’s international travel record, describing his 40th foreign trip in 26 months as evidence of an “excessive foreign travel culture” that neglects Nigeria’s pressing domestic challenges.
In a statement released on Wednesday, ADC National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi revealed startling statistics: “President Tinubu has spent about 181 days abroad since assuming office 26 months ago…nearly 25% of his time has been spent outside the country.” The opposition party contrasted this with the president’s domestic engagement, noting he has visited only 13 of Nigeria’s 36 states while making 40 international trips.
The criticism comes as Nigeria faces multiple crises, with the ADC statement painting a grim picture: “From Benue to Zamfara…taxes are being imposed by bandits, citizens are being slaughtered in their homes, millions are facing economic hardship.” The party questioned the economic value of the president’s travels, calling them “junkets” that waste “billions of Naira spent per day and per trip.”
Particular concern was raised about the president’s recent week-long absence from public view prior to this latest trip. “Whenever a president drops out of sight without an explanation, it gives rise to all kinds of damaging rumours,” the ADC warned, adding that a “one-day cameo appearance that looked stage-managed” followed by another foreign trip fails to reassure the public.
The statement concluded with a stark assessment: “Nigeria deserves a President who is present. While millions of our citizens are suffering, our leaders cannot afford to treat governance like a part-time job.”
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi echoed these concerns, criticising the president’s 12-day itinerary to Japan and Brazil via Dubai for an event lasting just three days. “Our President, who has not found it worthy to visit any of our troubled states, takes joy in travelling to foreign countries at the slightest invitation,” Obi remarked.
Both critics highlighted Nigeria’s deteriorating conditions, with Obi noting the country is now “counted among the most insecure nations, the most fragile economies, and the hungriest countries in the world.” He urged the president to “commence tours of our states with the same enthusiasm he shows for jetting out of the country every month.”
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