Obi Questions Tinubu’s Absence as Nigeria Grapples with Poverty, Insecurity

Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has publicly questioned the whereabouts and visibility of President Bola Tinubu, accusing the country’s leader of prolonged silence amid worsening economic hardship and insecurity.

In a statement posted on his verified X account on Monday, Obi said the scale of Nigeria’s challenges demanded clear and direct presidential engagement, which he argued had been lacking at a critical moment for the country.

He described his intervention as “a critical demand for accountability in a national emergency,” pointing to rising poverty, hunger and unemployment as well as persistent security issues.

According to Obi, Nigeria is projected to have about 140 million people living in extreme poverty by the end of the year, the highest figure globally.

He also cited high infant mortality rates, describing the country as “one of the worst places to be born.”

“In the midst of this chaos, where has our President been?” he asked.

The former governor alleged that the President spent 196 days outside Nigeria in 2025, claiming this exceeded the time he spent in the country during the same period.

He further said Nigerians had not heard directly from the President since December 2025.

Obi also criticised the absence of a New Year address, alleging that the President chose to holiday in Europe while Nigerians entered the new year facing “hunger, anxiety, and uncertainty.”

He argued that major national and international developments affecting Nigeria were often communicated through foreign media or brief statements from presidential aides, rather than directly by the President.

“Leadership is not simply issuing press releases; it’s about standing before the people, engaging with them, and offering clarity,” Obi said.

He warned that sustained silence from the nation’s leadership risked eroding public trust and national cohesion, adding that “when leadership withdraws, unity falters, and the fabric of our society unravels.”

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