African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his decision to embark on a three-week vacation in Europe, describing the President’s absence amid Nigeria’s challenges as a “disturbing vacuum of political leadership.”
African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his decision to embark on a three-week vacation in Europe.
Atiku, in a statement issued on Sunday, described the President’s absence from Nigeria amid widespread economic hardship as a “disturbing vacuum of political leadership.”
The former Vice President acknowledged that there was no constitutional vacuum, noting that the constitutional responsibilities of the presidency remained intact. However, he argued that the circumstances surrounding Tinubu’s trip raised concerns about the priorities of the current administration.
“Nigeria is burning. Nigeria may not be facing a constitutional vacuum today, but there is a disturbing vacuum of political leadership,” Atiku said.
He stressed that there was a significant difference between travelling abroad as a private citizen and doing so as the sitting President of Nigeria, particularly at a time when the country was facing multiple challenges.
“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 added.
Atiku pointed to the rising cost of living, food insecurity, increasing transport fares and insecurity as some of the major problems confronting Nigerians.
According to him, the prevailing circumstances require the President to remain physically present in the country and provide political leadership.
“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,” he said.
The ADC candidate argued that Nigerians needed reassurance and decisive leadership from the Federal Government, particularly as many citizens continue to struggle with the impact of economic difficulties.
Atiku’s comments come amid public discussions over President Tinubu’s decision to spend three weeks in Europe on vacation.
The development has continued to generate reactions from political figures and Nigerians, with the President’s supporters defending the trip as part of his personal and official schedule, while critics have questioned the timing of his absence.
Atiku, however, maintained that the issue was not about whether a Nigerian president could travel abroad, but about the responsibility attached to occupying the country’s highest political office.
He suggested that the President’s presence was particularly important given the economic and security pressures facing millions of Nigerians.
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