Obi Criticizes Tinubu's Limited Stay in Nigeria During January 2026

Peter Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has expressed discontent regarding President Bola Tinubu's limited presence in Nigeria during January 2026.

In a message shared on his X handle on Sunday morning, Obi highlighted that while leaders from other nations focus on domestic governance at the beginning of the year, Nigeria's president seems to have prioritized foreign engagements over urgent national concerns.

He lamented that as Nigeria grapples with rising challenges such as insecurity, food scarcity, and workers' strikes, the president appears indifferent.

Obi stated, “The first month of the year serves as a crucial indicator of the difficulties that lie ahead, and it is painfully clear that conditions in the country are deteriorating.”

He pointed out alarming increases in insecurity across the nation, citing several killings and kidnappings reported in January alone, which have included vulnerable groups like children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers. These incidents have created a major disruption for farmers, exacerbating food shortages and rural poverty.

He further emphasized the impact of school closures due to insecurity and teachers' strikes, which have kept many children from attending school, as he condemned the country's inadequate electricity supply.

“Education is fundamental to national development, yet many children remain out of school, and those who can attend do so with great difficulty due to insecurity or teacher strikes. This situation is particularly tragic in Abuja, where schools remain closed despite significant investment in infrastructure for the presidency. This raises questions about our leaders' understanding of education’s vital role,” he said.

Obi also pointed to the poor electricity situation, noting that Nigeria is struggling with the worst access and frequent grid failures, having faced two collapses in January alone.

He critiqued Tinubu's frequent international trips, noting that the president spent a total of 23 days abroad in January, across two trips, returning only briefly to Nigeria in between.

“While leaders in other countries prioritize local governance during January, the Nigerian president opts for international engagements over significant domestic matters. He began the year outside the country, returning briefly on the 17th before departing again for Türkiye on the 26th, where he remained until January 31. What pressing issues consistently necessitate his absence from Nigeria? His returns often seem merely for the purpose of welcoming political defectors to the APC before he resumes his travels,” Obi noted.

As a former governor of Anambra State, Obi accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of being more absorbed in political rallies and other activities than in addressing the pressing challenges faced by the Nigerian populace.

“The cumulative effect of these events presents a worrying picture of a nation wrestling with insecurity, economic hardship, failing infrastructure, and social turmoil. Instead of tackling these urgent matters directly, much of the political class seems preoccupied with power dynamics and upcoming elections,” Obi concluded.

“The APC, in particular, appears more focused on rallies and welcoming new members than addressing deteriorating institutions or the hardships experienced by the citizens of Nigeria.”