Obi Urges Tinubu to End France Trip and Address Nigeria’s Insecurity

Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has called on President Bola Tinubu to conclude his private visit to France and focus on addressing Nigeria’s escalating security challenges.​

In a statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Obi questioned the appropriateness of a sitting president embarking on a publicly funded private trip. He emphasised that as a public national asset, all of Tinubu’s movements should be matters of public knowledge and interest. Obi argued that private visits, such as holidays or family gatherings, should be funded privately and not at public expense.​

Obi also highlighted the need for cost-cutting measures in governance, pointing out that the nation requires savings to address pressing issues, including the maintenance of public infrastructure. He noted the situation at Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, where both the escalator and elevator at the domestic wing had been non-functional for months, leading to a physically challenged traveler being carried up the stairs by four men.​

Obi‘s call comes amid ongoing concerns about national security, with recent incidents of violence and insecurity spreading through the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. He urged the government to prioritize addressing these issues over foreign trips, emphasizing that no foreign investor or partner would be inclined to invest in Nigeria given the current situation.​

The Labour Party candidate’s statement underscores the need for leaders to demonstrate fiscal responsibility and prioritize national issues during times of crisis.

Mr. President, Domestic problems Beacons.

I am compelled at this time in our lives as a nation to call on our retreating President's attention to the security challenges at home, which entails that he immediately suspend his ongoing retreat in a foreign land and come home to…

— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) April 16, 2025