The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has raised concerns over President Bola Tinubu’s extensive foreign travels.
Obi, who made the remarks during a media briefing in Abuja, calling for more focus on domestic leadership in 2025, noted that as of December 29, 2024, President Tinubu spent about 30% of his time abroad – approximately 180 days- across over 30 recorded international trips.
He suggested that President Tinubu should dedicate a portion of his time visiting Nigeria’s 36 States, urging him to allocate at least 20% of 2025- around 72 days- for domestic engagements, spending two days in each State. This, Obi argued, would help the President gain a better understanding of the country’s economic and security challenges.
Obi further advised Tinubu to visit military formations and security agencies to boost morale and ensure operational efficiency, particularly in areas facing insecurity. He also encouraged impromptu and planned visits to Nigeria’s tertiary institutions to evaluate their facilities and infrastructure.
A significant portion of Obi’s appeal focused on the situation of Internally-Displaced Persons (IDPs) across the country. He also urged President Tinubu to visit various IDP camps to offer reassurance and demonstrate the Government’s commitment to restoring peace and normalcy.
He emphasised that these visits should include assessments of national healthcare facilities, such as federal medical centers in Sokoto, Birnin Kebbi, Calabar, Umuahia, and Akure. Obi urged the President to observe the state of healthcare firsthand, even suggesting that Tinubu consider conducting his medical examination in one of Nigeria’s hospitals.
The former Anambra State governor also urged the President to travel by road to witness the poor state of many highways, citing his own experience in taking former President Olusegun Obasanjo on a trip that led to the reconstruction of key roads in the State.
