The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused President
Bola Tinubu of spending nearly a quarter of his presidency outside the country.
On Wednesday, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president
on information and strategy, said Tinubu will embark on a two-nation trip to
Japan and Brazil on Thursday.
However, in a statement on Thursday, Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC
national publicity secretary, described Tinubu’s foreign travel record as
“excessive” and “disturbing”.
Abdullahi said the president’s trip this week would be his
40th since assuming office 26 months ago.
He said the trips add up to 181 days abroad, which is the
equivalent of almost six months and a record number for any Nigerian or African
leader in recent memory.
Abdullahi said Tinubu has so far visited more foreign
countries than Nigerian states, adding that the president has been to only 13
of 36 states since his inauguration.
The ADC spokesperson said the trips have yielded no tangible
economic or diplomatic benefits despite the “billions of naira” spent.
He noted that insecurity claims about 30 lives daily, while
poverty and child malnutrition are on the rise.
“Nigerians expect their president to be on the ground to
provide leadership, empathy, and direction,” Abdullahi said.
“It would appear that the president thinks there are more
serious problems for him to solve outside the country, or he believes the
solutions to the many troubles we face at home could actually be found on these
trips abroad.”
He criticised the president’s absence from public view since
August 1, saying it had fuelled rumours about his health.
Abdullahi warned that speculation about a sick president
could damage the economy, discourage investors, and embolden enemies.
He also said a brief public appearance followed by another
foreign trip “without a clearly stated date of return” would not quell the
rumours.
He urged Tinubu to appoint ambassadors to reduce the need
for him to attend every foreign meeting in person.
“Nigeria deserves a president who is present,” Abdullahi
said.
“While millions of our citizens are suffering, our leaders
cannot afford to treat governance like a part-time job.”
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