The political temperature in Nigeria rose sharply on Saturday as the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) launched a blistering attack on Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for questioning President Bola Tinubu’s overseas holiday.
Obi had accused the president of creating an image of discomfort at home through his frequent foreign trips, remarking that “at a time Nigeria is in dire need of his presence, the president seems more comfortable abroad.”
But the APC, in a fiery response signed by its spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, dismissed Obi’s remarks as “opportunistic commentary” and warned him against turning every presidential action into political theatre.
“Must Peter Obi comment on everything or anything?” Oladejo queried, adding, “Let us be clear: President Tinubu, like any responsible leader, remains fully briefed and in active communication with his security and intelligence teams even while on a brief vacation. Governance does not grind to a halt simply because a leader takes time to rest—especially in an age of secure, real-time communication. Mr. Obi knows this.”
The ruling party further accused Obi of being more interested in cheap shots than in constructive engagement. “The Labour Party candidate is fast gaining notoriety for politicising routine government functions. Silence, sometimes, remains the more honourable option,” the APC stated.
Defending Tinubu, the party stressed that the president’s 10-day vacation, which commenced Thursday, was a legitimate part of his annual leave and would not hinder governance. “Our commitment remains with delivering governance to Nigerians, not indulging political opportunists who thrive on drama,” Oladejo asserted.
Since assuming office in May 2023, President Tinubu has crisscrossed the globe, attending high-level diplomatic summits and international economic forums. Supporters argue these trips are vital for strengthening bilateral ties and wooing foreign investors. But critics like Obi maintain that his constant absence leaves festering domestic challenges—such as insecurity, inflation, and fuel scarcity—unaddressed.
The clash underscores the widening rift between the ruling APC and opposition Labour Party, with both sides leveraging every move by the president as fodder for political debate.
PIONEER NEWS 