Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his decision to embark on a three-week vacation in Europe.
Atiku, in a statement issued on Sunday, said the President’s absence from Nigeria amid widespread economic hardship reflected what he described as a “disturbing vacuum of political leadership.”
While acknowledging that Tinubu’s absence did not create a constitutional vacuum, the former vice president argued that the situation raised questions about the President’s priorities at a time when Nigerians were facing serious challenges.
“Nigeria is burning. Nigeria may not be facing a constitutional vacuum today, but there is a disturbing vacuum of political leadership,” Atiku said.
Atiku noted that he had also travelled and spent time outside Nigeria in the past, but stressed that the circumstances were different because Tinubu is the sitting President.
“I have travelled, lived and spent time abroad, and I have never pretended otherwise. But there is a fundamental difference between the travels of a private citizen and the responsibility of the sitting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
The ADC candidate pointed to the rising cost of living, food insecurity, high transportation fares and insecurity as some of the major challenges confronting Nigerians.
He argued that the prevailing circumstances required stronger presidential attention and leadership within 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. Insecurity that buries Nigerians week after week,” Atiku said.
Tinubu began his three-week annual vacation on Sunday, with his first stop in London, United Kingdom, according to the Presidency.
The President is expected to return to Nigeria after the working vacation as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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