The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of operating what it calls a “junket presidency,” criticising his frequent overseas journeys and extended absences from Nigeria.
In an announcement on Thursday, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, mentioned the president has spent about 181 days overseas within the 26 months since taking workplace — practically 1 / 4 of his tenure — and is embarking on his fortieth worldwide journey, a report for any Nigerian or African chief in current reminiscence.
“This means that in just over two years, President Tinubu has spent the equivalent of almost six months outside the country,” Abdullahi mentioned. “Worse still, there are no tangible economic or diplomatic results to show for these trips despite the billions of naira they cost.”
The ADC famous that whereas the president has visited greater than 40 overseas locations, he has up to now set foot in solely 13 of Nigeria’s 36 states.
The celebration described the development as “disturbing,” particularly amid rising insecurity, widespread poverty, and a worsening malnutrition disaster amongst kids.
According to the ADC, Tinubu’s newest journey will take him to a different spherical of overseas stops earlier than visiting most Nigerian states. The celebration mentioned this imbalance in priorities “fuels damaging rumours” and undermines the pressing want for constant management at dwelling.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Deserves Credit for Nigeria’s Economic Stability — Okonjo-Iweala
The assertion referred to as on the president to chop down on overseas journey, deal with home governance, and deal with the deepening {economic} and safety challenges going through the nation.
The full assertion learn:
“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) needs to as soon as once more draw the eye of all Nigerians to the alarming frequency with which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is absent from the nation, at a time when management at dwelling is required greater than ever.
Today, President Tinubu will depart Abuja for yet one more overseas tour. By public information, this would be the President’s fortieth overseas journey since assuming workplace, spending a cumulative complete of round 181 days overseas, the equal of just about six full months. This signifies that within the 26 months he has been President, practically 25% of his time has been spent exterior the nation.
During this journey, President Tinubu is on monitor to make his forty first worldwide cease earlier than setting foot in most Nigerian states. Since inauguration, President Tinubu has solely visited 13 out of 36 States, however has visited extra overseas international locations throughout the identical interval.
This shouldn’t be good. Moreso, contemplating that there are not any actual {economic} features for the junkets regardless of the billions of Naira spent per day and per journey.”
