Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, has questioned the whereabouts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu amid worsening economic hardship and insecurity in the country.
Obi raised the concern in a statement posted on his X handle, arguing that the President’s visibility and direct engagement have become imperative as Nigeria grapples with deepening leadership and socio-economic challenges.
According to the former Anambra State Governor, the perceived absence of the President at such a critical moment raises serious concerns about accountability and leadership.
“This is a critical demand for accountability in a national emergency,” Obi said.
He noted that as the year draws to a close, Nigeria is projected to have about 140 million people living in extreme poverty — the highest figure globally — while the country continues to battle widespread hunger, worsening insecurity, and mass unemployment, particularly among young people.
Obi further described Nigeria as “one of the worst places to be born,” citing high infant mortality rates, and questioned the President’s visibility in the face of these challenges.
“In the midst of this chaos, where has our President been?” he asked.
The former governor alleged that President Tinubu spent 196 days outside the country in 2025, claiming this exceeded the time he spent within Nigeria during the same period. He also asserted that Nigerians had not heard directly from the President since December 2025.
“Reports indicate he opted for a holiday in Europe while the nation was plunged into a New Year marked by hunger, anxiety, and uncertainty,” Obi said, noting the absence of a New Year address or national broadcast to reassure citizens.
He criticised what he described as the President’s silence following major national and international developments affecting Nigeria, arguing that citizens often learn about critical issues from foreign media rather than from their own leader.
“Instead of directly addressing the nation, Nigerians learned about these critical events from foreign media, American officials, and the vague communications from the Presidency’s aides,” Obi said, adding: “This is not governance; it’s neglect.”
Obi stressed that effective leadership requires visibility, direct communication, and active engagement with citizens, especially during periods of crisis.
“Leadership is not simply issuing press releases; it’s about standing before the people, engaging with them, and offering clarity,” he said.
He warned that sustained silence from leadership weakens national unity and public trust.
“When leadership withdraws, unity falters, and the fabric of our society unravels,” Obi said, adding that “in a time of crisis, the absence of leadership is not just troubling; it is perilous.”
He concluded that “silence in the face of crisis is the loudest form of failure.”
