The All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a strong rebuttal to criticism from Labour Party's Peter Obi regarding President Bola Tinubu's international travels and public visibility. The party insists the president remains fully committed to his constitutional duties.
APC's Firm Rejection of 'Absentee' Claims
In a statement released on Tuesday, the APC's Lagos State Spokesman, Seye Oladejo, dismissed assertions that President Tinubu had been absent from his responsibilities. The statement, shared with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), affirmed that the president is actively engaged in governance both within Nigeria and during his official trips abroad.
Oladejo called on political figures to concentrate on substantive national issues rather than superficial concerns about appearances. He argued that the real measure of governance lies in the quality of decisions and policies, not in constant media visibility.
Obi's Concerns Over Economic Hardship and Communication
The APC's response was triggered by comments from Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate and former Anambra State governor. On Monday, Obi voiced significant concerns via his verified X account.
He highlighted what he described as deepening economic challenges and rising insecurity in Nigeria. A central point of his critique was the president's travel schedule. Obi claimed President Tinubu spent 196 days abroad in 2025, which he stated exceeded the time the president was physically present in the country that year.
Furthermore, Obi noted that Nigerians had not received direct communication from the president since December 2025, raising questions about presidential engagement with the domestic situation.
Tinubu's Schedule and the APC's Defense
President Tinubu departed Lagos on 28 December 2025 for a break in Europe and to prepare for an official visit. He subsequently arrived in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Sunday to participate in the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, which commenced on Monday. This visit followed a formal invitation from UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The APC defended these engagements as a core part of the president's duties. Oladejo emphasized that the president's schedule is dictated by national priorities, not political commentary. The party's statement outlined that Tinubu's work involves complex statecraft, including policy coordination, security oversight, diplomatic relations, and driving economic reforms.
"Governance is not measured by constant public appearances or media check-ins," Oladejo stated. "It is assessed by the quality of decisions taken, the policies implemented and the outcomes delivered in the national interest."
The APC concluded by urging political leaders to propose constructive solutions to national problems instead of making statements that could potentially heighten public anxiety.
