Obi Criticises Tinubu’s Foreign Trips, Warns Against 2027 Politics Over Governance

The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu for what he described as excessive foreign travels amid rising insecurity and worsening socio-economic conditions in Nigeria.

Obi accused the President of focusing more on international engagements and political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections rather than addressing pressing domestic challenges.

In a statement posted on his X handle, Obi described January as a “distressing month” for the country, noting that insecurity escalated nationwide with reports of killings, kidnappings and abductions, while criminals demanded huge ransoms from victims’ families.

He faulted Tinubu’s travel schedule, claiming the President had spent about 23 days abroad in two separate trips within the first month of the year.

“While leaders of other nations begin the year concentrating on governance at home, Nigeria’s President started the year overseas and has remained absent for long periods,” Obi said.

He questioned the urgency of matters keeping the President away from the country, adding that Tinubu often appeared to return briefly only to receive defectors into the All Progressives Congress (APC) before travelling again.

Obi also blamed Nigeria’s political class for the nation’s challenges, insisting that the country’s problems stem from poor leadership rather than lack of resources.

“Nigeria is not a poor country, but it is poorly governed. The truth is that we, the politicians, are often the problem,” he said, urging citizens to pray for leaders so they would use public resources for the common good.

Speaking at a special church service at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Aremo, Ibadan, as part of activities marking Oyo State’s golden jubilee celebration, Obi again stressed that leadership failures have prevented Nigeria from translating its abundant resources into meaningful development.

However, he praised Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for what he described as visible progress and purposeful leadership in the state.

Meanwhile, the convener of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ideological Group (BAT-IG), Mr. Bamidele Atoyebi, defended the President, describing Tinubu as the political and ideological successor of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

In a statement titled “Sage, Pa Awolowo Lives On,” Atoyebi argued that it was contradictory to oppose Tinubu while admiring Awolowo, insisting that Tinubu’s governance reflects Awolowo’s democratic socialist philosophy.

He maintained that many of Tinubu’s policies align with Awolowo’s long-standing positions on social welfare, education, taxation and national development.

The debate comes amid growing political tensions as parties and key figures position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.