ADC Opposition Party Raises Alarm on Presidential Absences

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a sharp rebuke against President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of prioritising foreign engagements over urgent national challenges. In a strongly worded statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party lamented the “alarming frequency” of the President’s international trips, warning that Nigeria is being left without leadership at home at a time of worsening insecurity and economic distress.

Tinubu, who was scheduled on Thursday to embark on a two-nation tour of Japan and Brazil, with a brief stopover in Dubai, has now been on 40 foreign trips since assuming office, according to the ADC. The party estimated that the President has spent approximately 181 days abroad—nearly six months of his 26-month tenure—representing almost a quarter of his time in power.

The opposition party said Tinubu’s foreign engagements have eclipsed his domestic presence, noting that the President has visited more countries abroad than Nigerian states. “Since inauguration, President Tinubu has only visited 13 out of 36 states, but has travelled to more foreign nations during the same period. This is not good,” the ADC emphasised.

Economic Justification Questioned

The ADC raised concerns about the economic rationale behind the trips, arguing that despite the billions of naira spent daily on travel, there have been no tangible benefits to Nigerians. “There are no real economic gains for the junkets despite the huge sums expended per trip,” the statement declared.

The party juxtaposed Tinubu’s extensive travel with the harsh realities citizens face at home, citing widespread poverty, inflation, and persistent insecurity. “From Benue to Zamfara, taxes are being imposed by bandits, citizens are being slaughtered in their homes, millions face economic hardship, and the population of malnourished children is growing. Yet, the President is spending more time in the skies than on ground,” the ADC lamented.

This criticism echoes earlier concerns raised by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, who had described Tinubu’s planned 12-day foreign trip as “insensitive” to Nigeria’s worsening domestic crises.

Health Concerns and Public Confidence

Beyond the financial and governance issues, the ADC also addressed speculation about the President’s health. The party recalled that since August 1, Tinubu had disappeared from public view for more than a week, fuelling rumours about his condition. Although the Presidency dismissed such claims and reassured Nigerians that the President was “fit as a fiddle,” the ADC maintained that the uncertainty was damaging.

“Rumour of a sick president, or even mere conversations that could raise doubts about the state of the President’s health, are potentially damaging to the economy, discourage potential investors, and embolden enemies,” the statement warned. The party insisted that occasional “stage-managed appearances” followed by fresh international trips were insufficient to dispel such fears.

The ADC also rejected the idea that Tinubu could effectively govern from undisclosed locations. “It is not good enough to say the President is working from home or any secret hideout. Whenever a president drops out of sight without explanation, it breeds damaging rumours,” the statement added.

ADC Call for Stronger Diplomatic Structures

The opposition party suggested that many of Tinubu’s trips could have been avoided if the President had prioritised the appointment of ambassadors. “Perhaps, if the President had heeded our persistent call to appoint ambassadors, he would not need to personally attend every meeting abroad,” the statement argued.

The ADC stressed that ambassadors play a critical role in sustaining diplomatic relations and ensuring that agreements reached during high-level meetings are followed through. “For avoidance of doubt, all these meetings, even with the best intentions, are unlikely to yield any real benefits without ambassadors to follow up,” the party noted.

The absence of substantive envoys in key countries, the ADC said, has left Nigeria at a disadvantage diplomatically, while forcing Tinubu into what it termed “a frequent flier presidency.”

ADC Call for Presence at Home

Concluding its statement, the ADC reiterated that Nigeria needs a leader who is visibly present to tackle domestic crises rather than one constantly in transit. “Nigerians expect their President to be on ground to provide leadership, empathy, and direction. Our leaders cannot afford to treat governance like a part-time job,” the party declared.

The ADC described Tinubu’s travel-heavy style as “a government that no longer cares what the people think or feel,” stressing that real leadership requires presence during difficult times. “Nigeria deserves a President who is present,” the party affirmed, urging Tinubu to focus his attention on addressing insecurity, economic hardship, and social discontent at home.