Bola Tinubu criticised by Labour Party for frequent foreign trips, with long absences seen as impractical during Nigeria’s worsening economic hardship and insecurity
Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s President, is facing criticism from the Labour Party over his frequent foreign trips, which opposition lawmakers say are ill-timed amid worsening economic hardship and insecurity.
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In a statement on Saturday, LP Interim National Publicity Secretary Tony Akeni described Tinubu’s current 10-day working vacation in France and the United Kingdom as an example of what he called the President’s “allergy to staying at home to tackle the nation’s problems.”
Akeni noted that Nigeria is grappling with rising inflation, a weakening naira, and widespread insecurity.
Citing World Bank data, he added that 135 million Nigerians have fallen into poverty during Tinubu’s first 18 months in office.
“As President Tinubu takes to the sky, he leaves behind a country ravaged by economic hardship,” Akeni said.
The party further highlighted that violent deaths average 57 daily nationwide higher than daily casualties reported in Ukraine’s ongoing war and questioned why the President has spent nearly 160 days abroad in less than two years.
The APC, however, defended Tinubu, with spokesperson Seye Oladejo stating that governance continues regardless of his location.
“Governance does not grind to a halt simply because a leader takes time to rest especially in an age where secure, real-time communication is always within reach,” he said.
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Tinubu left Abuja on Thursday for Europe amid mounting criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups, who insist his presence at home is critical during Nigeria’s ongoing economic and security challenges.
