Now Is Not the Time for Vacations – Peter Obi Criticizes President Tinubu’s Trip
Fellow Nigerians, I find myself grappling to comprehend the current state of governance in our nation. What we’ve witnessed over the past two years has been deeply troubling. Rather than focused leadership, there’s been an overwhelming emphasis on political maneuvering and catering to elite interests, while everyday citizens are left to suffer in worsening conditions.
The level of insecurity in the country has become alarming—more lives have been lost to violence and crime than in some nations officially at war. Hunger is widespread. Countless Nigerians go to bed uncertain of where their next meal will come from. It is against this grim backdrop that I was stunned to see the Presidency confirm President Bola Tinubu’s upcoming trip to Saint Lucia.
According to an earlier announcement by Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre, the Nigerian President is expected to arrive on June 28, 2025, for a visit split between official meetings and personal vacation. Two days—June 30 and July 1—are scheduled for formal engagements, with the rest of the trip reserved for leisure.
When I first heard this, I was in disbelief. Could the President—barely back from a recent holiday in Lagos—truly be planning another getaway at a time like this? It defies logic and decency, especially considering his office bears the ultimate responsibility for our national wellbeing.
It’s heartbreaking that while citizens in Niger State are still reeling from the devastation of a flood that claimed over 200 lives and left more than 700 missing, the President hasn’t found time to visit. What level of tragedy, one must ask, is enough to stir a leader to action?
In Benue State, where over 200 people were killed, it took public outcry to prompt a visit. Even then, the trip resembled more of a political rally than a condolence mission—complete with a public holiday and children lining the streets, while the President failed to visit the actual site of the massacre.
To put things in perspective, the city of Makurdi spans 937.4 km²—significantly larger than Saint Lucia’s 617 km². Minna, at 6,789 km², is over ten times Saint Lucia’s size. Population-wise, Minna and Makurdi far surpass Saint Lucia’s 180,000 residents.
Given the scale of our challenges, this is not a time for any public official, let alone the President, to take leisure trips. The government has continued to show a clear disregard for the suffering majority, focusing instead on the interests of the privileged few.
This disconnect from the reality on the ground must end. Leaders should be seeking divine wisdom and working tirelessly to address the national crisis—not planning for 2027 elections or prioritizing elite comfort.
Let us not forget: Nigeria’s resources belong to every citizen, not a select group. It’s time to change course before the consequences become irreversible. Our leaders must direct their energy toward lifting people out of poverty and restoring hope across the land.
