Peter Obi Questions Tinubu’s Priorities Amid National Crisis

The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has once again criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he describes as a pattern of “indifference and insensitivity” toward Nigeria’s worsening socio-economic crisis.
Peter Obi expressed outrage over the President’s latest travel itinerary, which shows he departed Abuja on Thursday, August 14, for a 12-day two-nation trip to Japan and Brazil, with a stopover in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

In Japan, Tinubu is scheduled to attend the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama from August 20 to 22. Obi questioned why the President is embarking on such a prolonged absence when the country is facing severe insecurity, economic hardship, and a growing humanitarian crisis, noting that the itinerary does not specify his return date.

A Pattern of Extended Foreign Engagements

According to Obi, this is not the first time Tinubu has left the country for extended periods, even when domestic issues demand urgent attention. He cited the President’s recent one-week state visit to Saint Lucia prior to attending the BRICS Summit — an event Nigeria joined merely as an observer.
Peter Obi noted that while leaders of member nations arrived just a day or two before the BRICS gathering, Tinubu spent several days abroad beforehand, which he described as unnecessary and wasteful.

The former Anambra State governor argued that Nigeria’s leadership should demonstrate “presence and sacrifice” by prioritising on-the-ground engagement with communities in crisis. He emphasised that many of the President’s foreign trips produce little tangible benefit for the nation, especially when compared to the urgent needs of citizens back home.

Dire State of the Nation

Peter Obi painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s current reality, stressing that the country is now ranked among the most insecure nations, one of the world’s most fragile economies, and among the hungriest populations globally.
He argued that these challenges require the President’s consistent presence in Nigeria, leading from the front and personally assessing the suffering of citizens.

“Insecurity, hunger, and economic instability have reached their peak,” Peter Obi said, adding that Nigeria needs “100% effort and tireless commitment” from its leader. He warned that every day of inaction deepens the crisis, making recovery more difficult.

Calls for Domestic Engagement Over Global Conferences

Peter Obi maintained that while international conferences like TICAD9 have their place, they should not come at the expense of national urgency. He suggested that Tinubu’s trip to Japan, if truly necessary, should last no more than five days since the event begins on August 20, allowing the President to return quickly to address domestic concerns.

He further recommended that Tinubu adopt a travel schedule that prioritises state tours within Nigeria, using these visits to interact directly with communities, security agencies, and local governments. Such domestic engagements, Peter Obi argued, would give the President firsthand knowledge of citizens’ struggles and inspire confidence in his leadership.

Peter Obi Call for Conscious and Compassionate Leadership

Concluding his remarks, Peter Obi urged the President to abandon what he called a “tourist mindset” and embrace the responsibilities of a “Chief Executive of a troubled nation.” He called for a strict work and travel schedule that reflects urgency and a deep understanding of Nigeria’s dire condition.

“What our nation needs now is the security of lives and property, economic stability, and ensuring our people have food on the table,” Peter Obi stressed. He reiterated his belief that with competent, compassionate, and present leadership, “a new Nigeria is possible.”