Peter Obi Criticizes President’s Frequent Trips Abroad Amid Nigeria’s Crisis
Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of Nigeria’s Labour Party, has voiced deep concern over the current president’s frequent absences from the country at a time of mounting crises. Posting on his X (formerly Twitter) account earlier today, September 5, 2025, Obi criticized the president’s recent travels and questioned his priorities amid growing national suffering.
Obi began by noting that the president appears to be spending more time abroad than at home. “From all indications, our president is not finding Nigeria a good place to stay,” Obi wrote. “That should worry us.”
He recalled that the president departed the country just six days after returning from a previous trip abroad, during which a twenty-days stay had been meant to last only five days. Instead, the president reportedly remained out of the country for a total of fifteen days—three times longer than intended—and departed again almost immediately. Obi described this as part of a pattern: this upcoming trip to France will mark nearly ten visits in two years.
Obi argued that such frequent departures come at a cost, especially given the urgent challenges facing Nigeria. He cited reports indicating that 79 percent of Nigerians—over 180 million people—are experiencing some form of food insecurity. “That means a great majority of our people are going hungry,” Obi emphasized.
Worsening the picture are recent assessments that underscore Nigeria’s poor standing in global rankings. Obi noted that in the previous month, Nigeria was labeled the worst country in the world for childbirth and, merely weeks later, was named one of the worst places to live, with the world’s lowest life expectancy. In his view, these assessments reflect a pressing need for leadership grounded in domestic concern.
Obi also drew attention to a series of violent incidents that occurred during the president’s absence. He referenced a grim attack in Katsina State, where over fifty people were killed in mosque and village assaults, and more than sixty others were kidnapped. These numbers, he stressed, exclude other banditry and kidnapping incidents that occurred during the same period.
In addition, Obi singled out a tragic boat accident in Niger State. “Just yesterday,” he wrote, “sixty citizens—women and young children—lost their lives, and many more are still missing.” Obi questioned why the president, who returned six days ago, did not take a short flight—less than thirty minutes—to the affected area to offer comfort to grieving families.
Obi asked pointedly: “Where is the compassion for Nigerian lives, Mr. President? How many more tragedies must happen before you choose to preside actively over the country you lead?”
Highlighting the need for devoted leadership, Obi declared: “No holiday is more important than the Nigerian lives you swore to protect.” He stressed that this is a time when the nation needs visible leadership—leadership characterized by sacrifice, empathy, and tangible presence.
He reminded readers that true leadership demands more than ceremonial appearances. It requires deliberate action: improving healthcare systems, investing in quality education, lifting citizens out of poverty, and ensuring security for all.
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