Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Get together presidential candidate within the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has questioned the whereabouts of President Bola Tinubu amid what he described as deepening {economic} hardship, insecurity and management silence in Nigeria.
In an announcement posted on his verified X account on Monday, Obi mentioned his concern was pushed by the dimensions of challenges confronting the nation and the perceived absence of direct presidential engagement at a crucial time.
He framed the query as “a crucial demand for accountability in a nationwide emergency.”
“As we strategy the tip of this yr, Nigeria can be residence to roughly 140 million folks dwelling in excessive poverty — the very best quantity on this planet,” the ex-governor mentioned, including that the nation is grappling with widespread starvation, worsening insecurity and mass unemployment amongst younger folks.
He additional claimed that Nigeria stays “one of many worst locations to be born,” citing excessive toddler mortality charges, and questioned the President’s visibility within the midst of those challenges.
“Within the midst of this chaos, the place has our President been?” he requested.
Obi alleged that President Tinubu spent 196 days outdoors the nation in 2025, asserting that this exceeded the time he spent inside Nigeria throughout the identical interval. He additionally claimed that Nigerians had not heard straight from the President since December 2025.
“Reviews point out he opted for a vacation in Europe whereas the nation was plunged right into a New 12 months marked by starvation, anxiousness, and uncertainty,” Obi mentioned, noting that there was no New 12 months tackle or nationwide broadcast to reassure residents.
He criticised what he described because the President’s silence following main nationwide and worldwide developments affecting Nigeria, arguing that Nigerians usually realized about crucial occasions from international media moderately than from their very own chief.
“As a substitute of straight addressing the nation, Nigerians realized about these crucial occasions from international media, American officers, and the obscure communications from the Presidency’s aides,” Obi mentioned, including, “This isn’t governance; it’s neglect.”
The previous governor burdened that management required visibility, direct communication and engagement with residents, particularly during times of disaster. “Management isn’t merely issuing press releases; it’s about standing earlier than the folks, partaking with them, and providing readability,” he mentioned.
Obi argued that sustained silence from management weakens nationwide unity and belief, warning that “when management withdraws, unity falters, and the material of our society unravels.”
“In a time of disaster, the absence of management isn’t just troubling; it’s perilous,” he mentioned, concluding that “silence within the face of disaster is the loudest type of failure.”