Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, has expressed concerns about President Bola Tinubu’s frequent overseas trips, noting that the President had spent over 30% of his time in office—approximately 180 days out of 580—on more than 30 publicly recorded international journeys as of December 29, 2024.
At a media briefing on January 2 in Abuja, Obi called on President Tinubu to focus more on domestic affairs in 2025, suggesting that he should dedicate at least 20% of the year—roughly 72 days—to visiting Nigeria’s 36 states, with two days allocated to each state.
“Mr. President, of the roughly 580 days you’ve been in office (as of December 29, 2024), it’s reported that over 30%, or about 180 days, were spent on more than 30 overseas trips,” Obi said. “I urge you to dedicate at least 20% of 2025—around 72 days—to visiting all 36 states of Nigeria.”
Obi stressed the importance of direct assessments of Nigeria’s infrastructure, proposing that Tinubu conduct medical check-ups at national hospitals and travel by road to observe the state of the country’s highways. He recalled an instance when he took former President Olusegun Obasanjo on a road trip in Anambra State, leading to swift action on road repairs.
“For instance, consider having your next medical exam at one of our National Hospitals or Regional Federal Medical Centres,” Obi suggested. “Also, try traveling by road to see the condition of our highways. You could take short trips like from Calabar to Uyo or Benin to Warri.”
Obi further urged Tinubu to visit tertiary institutions, military facilities, and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps to better understand the challenges facing Nigerians. “Visit various IDP camps and reassure these Nigerians that they will soon return to their communities. Nigeria is not a war-torn country, and the spread of IDP camps is a troubling sign,” he stated.
Additionally, Obi called on the President to prioritize the fight against corruption, promote transparency in public procurement, and ensure that future borrowing is linked to regenerative investments. “All future borrowing must be tied to productive investments that deliver tangible benefits to the nation,” he emphasized.
Highlighting the need for clearer communication, Obi insisted that Nigerians deserve regular updates directly from President Tinubu. “A quarterly update on your efforts to improve Nigeria’s situation is essential,” he said.
Obi’s comments came amid reports revealing that the Tinubu administration spent ₦2.3 billion on foreign trips and related expenses within just six months in 2024, according to data from GovSpend. Since taking office, Tinubu has visited 16 countries, including multiple trips to the UK, UAE, and Saudi Arabia.
In conclusion, Obi stressed the importance of selfless and exemplary leadership in addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges in 2025.
