Peter Obi, 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) and Former Anambra State Governor, has questioned the whereabouts of President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement shared on X, Obi questioned Tinubu’s whereabouts, noting that the president spent 196 days abroad in 2025 — more time outside Nigeria than within it— while the country faces “extreme” poverty.
Obi said Nigerians have received no direct word from Tinubu since December 2025, with no New Year address or national broadcast to provide reassurance during a period marked by anxiety and uncertainty.
“Since December 2025, Nigerians have not heard a word from their President. Reports indicate he opted for a holiday in Europe while the nation was plunged into a New Year marked by hunger, anxiety, and uncertainty,” Obi wrote.
“There was no New Year address, no national broadcast, no leadership voice to provide reassurance or guidance. This lack of presence starkly contrasts with what we see in comparable developing nations where leaders step up in times of crisis.”
Obi described the pattern as leadership by absence, insisting that true governance requires physical presence, direct media briefings, and clarity, not remote management.
He warned that withdrawal by the president fosters division and mistrust, adding that it makes economic reforms, security measures, or progress impossible.
“This is not governance; it’s neglect. The President was seen abroad yet again for another summit while remaining absent from his own country when he is needed the most,” he added.
“Are we to believe Nigeria is being governed, or is it merely being managed from elsewhere? Leadership is not simply issuing press releases; it’s about standing before the people, engaging with them, and offering clarity.
“We are not asking for perfection; we demand presence. Nigerians are eager to hear from their President through direct media briefings.
“They deserve to understand the state of their country. You cannot run Nigeria like a personal business or a private club; it is imperative to rebuild and grow our economy through unity and clarity.”
