Obi Slams Tinubu’s 12-Day Japan, Brazil Trip Amid Nigeria’s Worsening Crises

Peter Obi, former Labour Party presidential candidate, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s planned 12-day trip to Japan and Brazil, calling it insensitive to Nigeria’s deepening security and economic crises.

In a post on X Thursday, Obi accused the President of showing “indifference” to urgent national problems through his frequent foreign travels, urging him instead to visit troubled states and engage directly with citizens.

According to the Presidency’s itinerary, Tinubu will depart Abuja on August 14, stopping over in Dubai before heading to Japan for the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama from August 20 to 22, after which he will proceed to Brazil. The statement did not specify his return date.

Obi questioned the necessity of the trip, noting Tinubu had only recently returned from Brazil and had also spent a week in St Lucia before attending the BRICS Summit as an observer.

“Our insecurity, economic hardship, and human suffering have peaked. We are now ranked among the most insecure nations, most fragile economies, and hungriest countries in the world. This dire reality demands the full attention of Mr President,” Obi said.

He argued that the Japan conference could be concluded in fewer days and criticised what he described as “little or no tangible value” from Tinubu’s extended foreign visits.

Obi urged the President to adopt a more disciplined travel schedule and prioritise domestic challenges. “Mr President must know that he’s not a tourist, but the Chief Executive of a troubled nation… he must have consciousness, strict work schedules, and return quickly to address the country’s urgent needs,” he added.