Obi Criticises Tinubu’s Extended Absence, Fiscal Responsibility

Oluwasegun SanusiOctober 18, 20242 Mins read577

Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has voiced concerns over President Bola Tinubu’s extended absence from the country despite mounting domestic challenges.

In a post on X, Obi highlighted the troubling reality of both the President and Vice President being out of Nigeria simultaneously, leaving the nation in a precarious situation given its current economic and social hardships.

While the President had initially assured Nigerians of a 14-day absence, his failure to return on schedule, Obi raised alarm, stressing that the country’s ongoing crises require urgent leadership attention.

One would have expected him to return earlier than expected, considering the volume of work that needs to be done in a troubled nation like ours, Obi wrote.

He pointed to the widespread hardship inflicted by the administration’s policies, which, he said, necessitated the President’s immediate presence to “pilot the nation out of this present situation.”

Obi called for decisive action to address severe hunger, poverty, and other pressing issues affecting the Nigerian people.

Obi also criticised what he described as a lack of fiscal responsibility in the President’s handling of official engagements abroad.

He noted that according to reports, while the President remained in Paris, France, the Vice President was tasked with travelling to Stockholm, Sweden, for a two-day working visit.

Obi questioned the rationale behind this decision, noting that the President could have easily attended the event, given the short distance between Paris and Stockholm — approximately 833 nautical miles compared to the 3055 miles between Abuja and Stockholm.

Instead, he delegated the Vice President, who needed to travel 3055 nautical miles, over nine hours, and (about 4 times the travel time from Paris) Abuja, Nigeria, to Stockholm, Sweden, to represent him at the event. It would take about 4 times the time and distance it takes to travel from Paris to Stockholm to travel from Abuja to Stockholm, Obi said.

He added that the decision reflected poor judgment in resource management at a time when Nigerians are facing severe economic difficulties.

Obi urged the President to demonstrate “true and committed leadership” by making decisions that prioritise the well-being of the people and address the country’s urgent needs.

“This is the time to show fiscal responsibility and common sense,” he said, calling on the government to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians through better management of the nation’s resources.

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