President Bola Tinubu has come under heavy criticism from the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, over his recent decision to embark on another European vacation while the nation grapples with severe economic hardship and widespread insecurity.
Obi voiced his concerns in a detailed assessment, questioning why the President would opt for a three-week trip abroad during a time of national turmoil. He highlighted the worsening plight of everyday citizens who are struggling to cope with skyrocketing food prices, rising transportation costs, and chronic instability that continues to disrupt daily life and keep children out of school.
The former Anambra State governor cited the recent alarming report of nearly 600 people, mostly women, children, and elderly citizens, who were abducted during Juma’at prayers in Niger State. Obi emphasized that alarming incidents of this magnitude require the immediate hands-on attention of the commander-in-chief, rather than another retreat overseas.
Drawing attention to the government’s financial management, Obi pointed out that official records show staggering expenditure on presidential travels. Between June 2023 and April 2026, the administration spent approximately ₦37.64 billion on international trips, with the President spending roughly 261 days outside the country during that timeframe.
He sharply contrasted these travel expenses with the underfunding of essential public services. For instance, out of a ₦218 billion capital budget allocated to the Federal Ministry of Health in 2025, only ₦36 million was actually released to serve a population exceeding 230 million people. Obi described this imbalance as a clear case of misplaced priorities, arguing that true leadership is defined by how well a government addresses the basic survival needs of its people.
Rather than jetting off to foreign destinations, Obi suggested that Nigerian leaders should lead by example by patronizing domestic tourism. He argued that presidential visits and vacations to states like Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Cross River, Bauchi, and Ebonyi would send a strong signal of confidence in the country’s local potential.
Serving as the nation’s chief promoter, the President could help unlock vital economic opportunities through local travel. Boosting domestic tourism would revitalize local businesses, strengthen hospitality, agriculture, transportation, and entertainment, while generating much-needed foreign exchange and employment.
Obi urged public officials to stop exporting national wealth for personal comfort while local infrastructure remains neglected. He maintained that Nigeria requires compassionate, forward-thinking leadership that prioritizes the homeland—a vision he believes his partnership with Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is prepared to deliver.
