Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra State and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has raised concerns over the simultaneous foreign trips of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, arguing that critical domestic issues remain unresolved.
Obi condemned the decision as lacking in fiscal prudence and common sense, especially in light of the pervasive hunger and poverty plaguing many Nigerians.
He noted that while the President initially announced a 14-day absence, he has now surpassed that timeline.
Obi contended that Tinubu should have returned promptly to address the country’s urgent challenges rather than sending the Vice President on a two-day working visit to Sweden. He criticized this choice as a misallocation of resources and time, emphasizing that the journey from Paris to Stockholm could have been completed in just two hours.
“Real leadership requires placing the welfare of citizens first and managing national resources effectively to reduce their hardships,” Obi asserted.
He questioned why the President chose to remain abroad, especially considering the relative proximity and travel time between Abuja and Stockholm compared to Paris and Stockholm.
“While it’s true that the Presidency isn’t vacant with both leaders away, it’s troubling for a nation grappling with numerous domestic issues,” he remarked, referring to media reports of their absence.
“The President had assured us he would be back in 14 days. Now that the period has lapsed, we await his return.”
Obi argued that in a nation facing such turmoil, one would expect Tinubu to prioritize his return in light of the pressing workload awaiting him.
“The severe hardship faced by our people due to some policies of his administration is beyond comprehension, and his immediate presence is needed to navigate our nation through these challenges.”
He further suggested that since the President is reportedly in Paris, which is approximately 833 nautical miles from Stockholm, he could have easily attended the working visit in Sweden on his way back, utilizing his new aircraft for a quick trip of just over two hours.
“This approach would have conserved both time and the limited national resources we desperately need right now. Instead, he chose to delegate the Vice President, who had to travel 3,055 nautical miles—a journey of over nine hours, four times longer than the trip from Paris to Stockholm.”
Obi concluded by emphasizing that such decisions do not reflect the fiscal responsibility and common sense expected from leaders, particularly in a country where citizens are facing dire hunger and poverty.
“Now is the moment to exemplify genuine leadership by making choices that prioritize the people’s welfare and manage the nation’s scarce resources effectively to alleviate their suffering,” he urged.
