Rita Odafe
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate from the Labour Party for the 2023 elections, has voiced his concerns about President Bola Tinubu’s frequent overseas travels. He highlighted that by December 29, 2024, over 30% of Tinubu’s tenure—around 180 days out of 580—was spent abroad, with more than 30 documented trips.
During a media event on January 2 in Abuja, Obi encouraged the President to focus more on local matters in 2025, recommending that he spend at least 20% of the year visiting Nigeria’s 36 states.
“Mr. President, as of December 29, 2024, you have reportedly spent more than 30%—about 180 days—on over 30 recognized foreign visits. I urge you to allocate at least 20% of 2025, roughly 72 days, to visit each of Nigeria’s states for two days,” he said.
Obi stressed the necessity for the President to personally assess the country’s infrastructure, suggesting that he carry out medical visits at local hospitals and travel by road to evaluate highway conditions. He shared a personal experience of driving former President Olusegun Obasanjo through Anambra State, resulting in immediate road repairs.
“For your next medical check-up, consider using one of our National Hospitals or Regional Federal Medical Centres,” he stated. “Attempt to travel by road to witness the state of our highways. Consider short trips, like from Calabar to Uyo or Benin to Warri.”
He also urged Tinubu to tour universities, military bases, and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps to understand the various issues facing Nigerians better.
“Make visits to different IDP camps and reassure these individuals that they will be returning home soon. Nigeria is not a nation in conflict. The rise of IDP camps signals troubling times,” he remarked.
Obi further challenged the President to focus on tackling corruption, promoting transparency in public contracts, and connecting future borrowing with sustainable investments.
“All new loans must be linked to sustainable investments and tangible public assets that will serve the nation’s interests,” he added.
Emphasizing direct communication, Obi stated that Nigerians should receive regular updates from President Tinubu. “Quarterly reports detailing efforts to enhance the current situation in Nigeria are essential,” he asserted.
These comments came in light of reports that the Tinubu administration allocated ₦2.3 billion for foreign trips and related activities in the first six months of 2024, according to data from GovSpend. Since taking office, Tinubu has traveled to 16 countries, making several trips to places like the UK, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.
In conclusion, Obi reiterated the necessity for selfless and exemplary leadership to effectively tackle Nigeria’s critical issues in 2025.
