ATIKU QUESTIONS TINUBU’S EUROPEAN TRIP AMID NIGERIA’S ECONOMIC AND SECURITY CHALLENGES

ATIKU QUESTIONS TINUBU’S EUROPEAN TRIP AMID NIGERIA’S ECONOMIC AND SECURITY CHALLENGES

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his reported three-week trip to Europe, questioning the timing of the journey amid economic hardship and security concerns in Nigeria.

Atiku, in a statement, argued that while Nigeria may not be experiencing a constitutional vacuum, the country is facing what he described as a “disturbing vacuum of political leadership.”

The former vice president said he had travelled and lived abroad and understood that international travel was not inherently problematic. However, he maintained that there was a fundamental difference between the travels of a private citizen and the responsibilities attached to the office of the President of Nigeria.

Atiku pointed to rising living costs, petrol prices, food expenses and transportation fares as some of the challenges confronting Nigerians. He also cited insecurity in parts of the country, arguing that the circumstances required strong attention from the nation’s leadership.

He questioned President Tinubu’s decision to embark on an extended foreign trip at a time when Nigerians are facing economic difficulties.

“The Vice President is abroad on official duty. That makes the President’s decision even more difficult to understand,” Atiku said.

According to him, leadership goes beyond the constitutional authority to occupy an office and includes the judgment to recognise moments when the country requires the President’s presence and attention.

Atiku used a family analogy to illustrate his position, arguing that a responsible leader should remain available when those under his care are facing serious difficulties.

He stressed that his criticism was not based on the argument that a president should never travel or take time away from the country. Rather, he said the concern was the timing of the President’s trip against the backdrop of what he described as Nigeria’s current economic and security challenges.

“Millions of Nigerians are being grounded by hardship while their President is airborne. The people can barely afford to move, but the President keeps moving,” he said.

Atiku further argued that a government must be sufficiently responsive to the difficulties experienced by citizens if it is to effectively address those challenges.

He concluded with a direct political message, saying: “Tinubu made Nigeria expensive. I will make Nigeria affordable again.”

The remarks form part of Atiku’s broader criticism of the Tinubu administration and its handling of Nigeria’s economy and governance. The claims and assessments contained in the statement represent Atiku’s political position.