Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu over what he described as excessive foreign travel amid worsening national challenges.
In a statement shared on his 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) handle in the early hours of Sunday, February 1, 2026, Obi accused the president of preferring to remain outside Nigeria while the country grapples with insecurity, economic hardship, and failing infrastructure.
Obi alleged that Tinubu spent most of January abroad, leaving Nigerians without effective leadership during a period marked by rising violence, repeated national grid collapses, and deepening social distress. He argued that the president appears more committed to international engagements than to addressing urgent domestic issues.
According to the former Anambra State governor, the president’s brief returns to Nigeria are largely for political activities, particularly welcoming defectors into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), before departing again.
Obi expressed concern that insecurity has escalated nationwide, with widespread reports of killings and kidnappings, including the abduction of children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers. He noted that farmers remain unable to access their farmlands due to persistent violence, worsening food shortages and rural poverty.
He also lamented the state of education, pointing out that many children remain out of school because of insecurity and prolonged teachers’ strikes. Obi described the situation in Abuja as especially troubling, noting that schools remain closed in the nation’s capital while significant public funds are spent on renovating conference centres and bus terminals.
On power supply, Obi criticized the government over Nigeria’s poor electricity access, highlighting that the national grid collapsed twice within the month of January alone.
The Labour Party chieftain further questioned the necessity of Tinubu’s prolonged absence, stating that the president reportedly spent 23 days outside the country in January across two foreign trips, including a visit to Türkiye.
Obi urged President Tinubu and the APC leadership to shift focus away from political maneuvering and early election calculations, and instead confront Nigeria’s mounting challenges with urgency and commitment.
He concluded by reaffirming his belief that meaningful change remains achievable, declaring that “a new Nigeria is possible.”
