Former Vice-President and 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Tinubu for embarking on a three-week vacation in Europe amid Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.
Atiku, in a statement issued following Tinubu’s departure, said the President’s absence from the country at a time of widespread hardship represented what he described as a “disturbing vacuum of political leadership.”
While acknowledging that there was no constitutional vacuum, Atiku argued that the timing of the President’s trip raised questions about his priorities as the country continues to face serious challenges.
“Nigeria may not be facing a constitutional vacuum today, but there is a disturbing vacuum of political leadership.”
The former vice-president said he had travelled and lived abroad himself but stressed that the circumstances surrounding the travels of a private citizen were different from those of a sitting president.
Atiku pointed to rising living costs, food insecurity, expensive transportation and insecurity as some of the problems confronting Nigerians, arguing that the situation required the President’s presence in the country.
“Consider what Bola Tinubu is leaving behind. Petrol priced beyond the reach of ordinary people. Families rationing food. Transport fares that have turned a journey to one’s own village into a luxury.”
He also noted that Vice-President Kashim Shettima was outside Nigeria on official duty, saying the President’s decision to embark on a vacation under the circumstances was difficult to understand.
According to Atiku, effective leadership involves recognising when a country requires the physical presence of its leader.
“Leadership is not merely the constitutional right to occupy an office; it is the judgment to know when your country needs you at home.”
Using the analogy of a burning house, Atiku said a leader should remain with his people during a crisis rather than leave the country.
“A father may travel when all is well. But when his roof is burning and his family is trapped inside, he does not pick up his suitcase and head for the airport.”
He clarified that his criticism was not based on the belief that a president should never travel or take time off, but on the severity of the challenges currently facing Nigerians.
Atiku said the country’s present circumstances made the President’s vacation particularly concerning.
“It is not that a President must never rest or travel. It is that Nigeria is burning, and the President has chosen a boarding pass over the fire extinguisher.”
He further criticised the economic policies of the Tinubu administration, saying millions of Nigerians were struggling with the rising cost of living.
“Millions of Nigerians are being grounded by hardship while their President is airborne.”
Atiku concluded by contrasting his proposed approach to governance with Tinubu’s administration, arguing that his leadership would focus on reducing the economic burden on Nigerians.
“Tinubu made Nigeria expensive. I will make Nigeria affordable again.”
