Former Vice-President and 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Tinubu for embarking on a three-week vacation in Europe amid Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.
In a statement, Atiku said the President’s absence reflected what he described as a “disturbing vacuum of political leadership.”
He cited rising living costs, food insecurity, high transport fares and insecurity as challenges requiring the President’s presence in the country.
Atiku also noted that Vice-President Kashim Shettima was out of the country on official duty when Tinubu travelled.
While acknowledging that there was no constitutional vacuum, Atiku questioned the President’s leadership priorities, arguing that “Nigeria is burning” and that the country needs its leader at home.
He stressed that his criticism was not against presidential vacations generally, but against Tinubu’s decision to travel at a time he believes Nigerians are facing severe hardship.
Atiku concluded by contrasting his proposed administration with Tinubu’s, saying: “Tinubu made Nigeria expensive. I will make Nigeria affordable again.”