The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused President Bola Tinubu of spending nearly a quarter of his presidency outside the country.
On Wednesday, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said Tinubu will embark on a two-nation trip to Japan and Brazil on Thursday.
However, in a statement on Thursday, Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC national publicity secretary, described Tinubu’s foreign travel record as “excessive” and “disturbing”.
Abdullahi said the president’s trip this week would be his 40th since assuming office 26 months ago.
He said the trips add up to 181 days abroad, which is the equivalent of almost six months and a record number for any Nigerian or African leader in recent memory.
Abdullahi said Tinubu has so far visited more foreign countries than Nigerian states, adding that the president has been to only 13 of 36 states since his inauguration.
The ADC spokesperson said the trips have yielded no tangible economic or diplomatic benefits despite the “billions of naira” spent.
He noted that insecurity claims about 30 lives daily, while poverty and child malnutrition are on the rise.
“Nigerians expect their president to be on the ground to provide leadership, empathy, and direction,” Abdullahi said.
“It would appear that the president thinks there are more serious problems for him to solve outside the country, or he believes the solutions to the many troubles we face at home could actually be found on these trips abroad.”
He criticised the president’s absence from public view since August 1, saying it had fuelled rumours about his health.
Abdullahi warned that speculation about a sick president could damage the economy, discourage investors, and embolden enemies.
He also said a brief public appearance followed by another foreign trip “without a clearly stated date of return” would not quell the rumours.
He urged Tinubu to appoint ambassadors to reduce the need for him to attend every foreign meeting in person.
“Nigeria deserves a president who is present,” Abdullahi said.
“While millions of our citizens are suffering, our leaders cannot afford to treat governance like a part-time job.”
