• Presidency defends missions, says governance not dependent on physical presence
Tayo Busayo, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - The frequent foreign trips of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima have sparked outrage among opposition parties, who have accused the presidency of wasteful spending and insensitivity to the economic struggles faced by Nigerians.
The criticism comes after President Tinubu embarked on a two-week “working leave” in France on Wednesday, followed by Vice President Shettima’s departure for Senegal on Thursday to attend the country’s Independence Day celebrations.
Political stakeholders, including the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), have raised concerns over what they describe as a pattern of excessive and unnecessary foreign travels by the country’s top two leaders.
Speaking on the issue, CUPP National Secretary, Peter Ahmeh, condemned the trips, warning that they are creating a dangerous leadership vacuum that has negative consequences for the country’s governance, economy, and security.
“This is a total disregard for administrative and constitutional procedures,” Ahmeh told The PUNCH. “Ordinarily, when one leader is out of the country, the other should be present to ensure stability. But now, we have both absent at the same time, leaving the country in limbo. Who is in charge?”
Ahmeh further questioned the justification for Tinubu’s frequent trips to France, calling it an abuse of public trust and a waste of taxpayers’ money.
“Has France become Nigeria’s second home? These trips are not free; they cost Nigerians millions in flight expenses, accommodations, and security. At a time when the people are battling high inflation, unemployment, and economic hardship, such wasteful spending is completely unacceptable,” he added.
Similarly, PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, labeled the trips as irresponsible and a sign of misplaced priorities.
“The President and his vice were elected to serve Nigerians, not to embark on luxury tours abroad. Their frequent travels show a lack of seriousness in governance,” Osadolor said.
He also suggested that the President’s undisclosed health status might be a factor behind his frequent visits to France, demanding more transparency from the presidency.
“Nigerians have a right to know the state of their President’s health. If he is going abroad for medical treatment, let him say so. The secrecy surrounding these trips raises concerns,” Osadolor stated.
Echoing these concerns, NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, expressed frustration over what he described as a reckless and insensitive approach to governance.
“The country is in dire need of leadership, yet our President and Vice President are constantly out of the country. It sends a terrible message to struggling Nigerians who expect solutions to rising inflation, worsening insecurity, and declining living standards,” Johnson lamented.
He further accused the administration of operating the country “on autopilot,” with no clear direction.
“The optics are terrible. When the people look up to their leaders, they should see commitment and sacrifice, not extravagant spending on foreign trips that yield no visible benefits,” he added.
In response to the criticisms, a senior official in the presidency, who preferred to remain anonymous, dismissed the allegations as baseless, insisting that both Tinubu and Shettima were on official assignments.
“This has happened before, and the country did not grind to a halt,” the official said. “Governance in the modern age is not dependent on physical presence. The opposition is only doing what they are known for—opposing.”
The official argued that modern technology enables leaders to govern remotely, adding that the President and Vice President remain in constant communication with their cabinet and security chiefs.
“It is the right of the opposition to speak, to oppose. But let’s be realistic—leaders around the world travel for engagements, summits, and international diplomacy. Is Shettima or Tinubu a minister? Their roles go beyond just sitting in Abuja,” the official asserted.
Despite the presidency’s defense, growing public sentiment suggests that many Nigerians are not convinced. Citizens have taken to social media to express their frustration, questioning the economic and governance benefits of the President and Vice President’s trips.
Economic analysts have also warned that excessive foreign travel could divert government focus from pressing domestic issues, such as the naira’s depreciation, high unemployment rates, and rising cost of living.
“This administration must realize that perception matters,” political analyst Dr. Adeolu Ogunleye told this medium. “At a time when people are struggling to afford basic necessities, seeing their leaders frequently jetting off abroad creates resentment.”
Opposition parties have vowed to intensify pressure on the government, calling for an official breakdown of the costs and justifications for all foreign trips taken by the President and Vice President in the past year.
With the backlash growing, political observers suggest that the presidency may need to reassess its approach to international engagements to rebuild public confidence and demonstrate a stronger commitment to domestic governance.
