Obi Tells Tinubu: Good Leadership Means Staying Home During Tragedies

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi has reminded President Bola Tinubu that a mark of good leadership is staying home to manage national disasters. …Read Full Article.. .

The former Anambra governor criticised the president for what he described as excessive foreign trips, arguing that Nigerians are being left vulnerable amid rising insecurity and socio-economic challenges.

“From all indications, our President is not finding his home in Nigeria conducive for a long stay, and it should be concerning to us,” Obi said, expressing concern over the frequency of Tinubu’s travels abroad.

Tinubu left the country for France on Thursday. A statement from the president’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga said the president will also visit France.

The trip has received condemnation with many Nigerians frowning at what the president kept in France to require such frequent trips and of what benefits are his many foreign trips to the country.

Joining the condemnation on Friday, Obi pointed out that the President recently left the country just six days after returning from a previous engagement abroad.

“Just yesterday, for the umpteenth time, Mr. President waved the nation goodbye again, barely 6 days after his return to Nigeria, after he spent 15 whole days for just a five-day engagement,” he said.

The former governor also noted that Tinubu was reportedly embarking on his 10th trip to France in just two years, this time for his annual holiday. “It does look like Mr. President is running away from Nigeria at every slight opportunity.

“And one would wonder why so much of his two years in office has been spent on holidays or away from the very country he was elected to preside over,” Obi said.

Highlighting Nigeria’s pressing challenges, Obi noted that “at least 79% of Nigerians have been reported to be facing food insecurity, that is over 180 million people facing hunger.

“Nigeria, just last month, was declared the worst country to give birth, and just weeks ago, the worst place to live, with the world’s worst life expectancy.

“We deserve a president with all hands on deck to solve these issues,” Obi echoed.

Obi also drew attention to security concerns, citing recent attacks across the country. “Across Nigeria, last month alone while Mr. President was on one of his very many trips, over 50 people were killed in the horrifying mosque and village attack in Katsina State, with over 60 people kidnapped.

“This is exclusive of the many bandit attacks and kidnappings just last month,” he said.

He questioned the President’s absence from disaster-stricken areas, noting, “One would have expected that the president would at least visit one of these states when he arrived 6 days ago, or at least visit Niger State where just yesterday, 60 of our citizens, women and young children, died in a boat mishap with many more still missing.

“What would it have taken the president to take a less than 30-minute trip to Niger State from Abuja in his jet?

“Mr. President could have at least visited the grieving families in Niger before jetting off again. Where is the compassion for Nigerian lives, Mr. President?

“How many more need to die for you to preside over the country? No holiday is more important than the Nigerian lives you swore to protect.”

Obi stressed the qualities he believes a leader should embody, saying, “At a time when Nigerians need leadership, empathy, and presence, a President should not choose foreign holidays.

“True leadership is about sacrifice and the ability to improve healthcare, invest in quality education, pull millions out of poverty, and guarantee the security of ,and..  Read . .More —