The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his decision to embark on a three-week vacation in Europe amid what he described as worsening challenges facing Nigerians.
The Presidency announced on Sunday, August 30, that Tinubu had departed Abuja for Europe to begin a three-week vacation as part of his annual leave.
Reacting to the development in a social media post, Atiku questioned the timing of the President’s trip, citing rising petrol prices, food insecurity, increasing transport fares and persistent insecurity across the country.
The former Vice President argued that the President’s absence from the country at a time of significant economic and security challenges raised concerns about political leadership.
Atiku acknowledged that presidents, like other individuals, require time to rest and travel, but said the responsibilities of the office demand careful judgment about when such trips are appropriate.
“Nigeria may not be facing a constitutional vacuum today, but there is a disturbing vacuum of political leadership,” Atiku wrote.
He contrasted Tinubu’s official responsibilities with the travels of private citizens, stressing that the President’s position carries a greater responsibility to remain responsive to the situation in 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,” he said.
Atiku also pointed to the fact that Vice President Kashim Shettima was reportedly outside the country on official duties, saying this made Tinubu’s decision to embark on a three-week European vacation even more difficult for him to understand.
“Leadership is not merely the constitutional right to occupy an office; it is the judgment to know when your country needs you at home,” he added.
Using an analogy, the former Vice President likened the President’s decision to a father leaving his family behind while their home is on fire.
“A father may travel when all is well. But when his roof is burning and his family is trapped inside, he does not pick up his suitcase and head for the airport,” Atiku said.
He maintained that his criticism was not based on the belief that a president should never take a break or travel abroad, but rather on what he described as the timing of Tinubu’s vacation.
“It is that Nigeria is burning, and the President has chosen a boarding pass over the fire extinguisher,” he stated.
Atiku further criticised the administration over the economic hardship facing Nigerians, saying millions of citizens were struggling to afford basic transportation and other necessities.
“Millions of Nigerians are being grounded by hardship while their President is airborne. The people can barely afford to move, but the President keeps moving,” he said.
He concluded by accusing the government of being disconnected from the difficulties experienced by citizens.
“A government that cannot feel the pain it inflicts will never summon the will to end it,” Atiku stated.
