Former Anambra State Governor and 2027 presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has faulted President Bola Tinubu for embarking on another holiday in Europe amid economic hardship, insecurity and other challenges confronting Nigerians.
Obi, in a statement shared on social media, claimed that Tinubu had left Nigeria for a three-week vacation in Europe, questioning the timing of the trip amid what he described as a deepening national crisis.
According to the him, Nigerians are struggling with the rising cost of food and transportation, while insecurity continues to affect communities and prevent children from accessing education.
He also referenced reports that about 600 Nigerians, predominantly women, children and elderly people, were allegedly abducted during Juma’at prayers in Niger State, saying such developments should demand the President’s attention.
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“Yet, at this critical moment, the President has left the country for another holiday,” Obi said.
Obi also raised concerns over alleged expenditure on presidential travel, claiming that government spending on presidential trips and related travel expenses between June 2023 and April 2026 amounted to about ₦37.64 billion.
He further claimed that Tinubu spent approximately 261 days outside Nigeria during the period.
Obi contrasted the alleged travel expenditure with what he described as inadequate funding for critical sectors, particularly healthcare.
“Meanwhile, only ₦36 million was reportedly released to the Federal Ministry of Health in 2025, despite a capital allocation of ₦218 billion, in a country of over 230 million people,” he said.
He described the situation as a reflection of misplaced priorities, arguing that government spending should focus more on addressing the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians.
“This is the calamity befalling our country today,” Obi said.
According to him, leadership should be measured by the priorities set by those in government, particularly at a time when citizens are struggling with food affordability, insecurity, healthcare and education.
“When citizens cannot feed their families, move safely, access healthcare, send their children to school, or sleep peacefully in their homes, the President should be more concerned about fixing the country than repeatedly leaving it,” he said.
Obi, however, said he would prefer to see Nigerian leaders promote domestic tourism by taking holidays and official engagements to different parts of the country.
He listed Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Cross River, Bauchi and Ebonyi among states he believes could benefit from increased domestic tourism.
“I look forward to a Nigeria where our President can vacation in Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Cross River State, Bauchi, Ebonyi, and many other destinations across our country,” Obi said.
According to him, the President should serve as “the chief marketer of Nigeria as a tourism destination,” arguing that increased domestic travel could create economic opportunities across several sectors.
Obi noted that tourism could support employment and businesses in hospitality, transportation, agriculture, entertainment and crafts, while also attracting investment and foreign exchange.
He said Nigerians should reduce the tendency to spend their money abroad when the country has significant tourism and cultural resources that remain underdeveloped.
“We cannot continue to export our wealth and import our pleasures while our own enormous potential remains neglected,” he said.
“We deserve leadership that puts Nigeria first; leadership that cares and plans for a better Nigeria. That is the kind of leadership that the partnership between H.E. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and me will bring,” he added.
