‘Tinubu Made Nigeria Expensive’ — Atiku Slams President Over Three-Week European Leave

 

By Abel Chigozie 

Former Vice-President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his three-week European leave, arguing that the decision reflects a “vacuum of political leadership” amid Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.

Atiku made the remarks in a statement while reacting to Tinubu’s departure from the country for a three-week European leave.

The ADC presidential candidate acknowledged that he had travelled and lived abroad but said there was a distinction between the movements of a private citizen and the responsibilities of a sitting Nigerian president.

He argued that Tinubu was leaving behind a country grappling with high petrol prices, rising food costs, expensive transportation and insecurity.

“Consider what Bola Tinubu is leaving behind. Petrol priced beyond the reach of ordinary people. Families rationing food. Transport fares that have turned a journey to one’s own village into a luxury. Insecurity that buries Nigerians week after week,” Atiku said.

He questioned the decision of the President to embark on a three-week European trip at a time he described as critical for the country.

According to him, the absence of both the President and Vice-President, who is reportedly abroad on official duty, raises questions about political leadership and the government’s sensitivity to the challenges confronting Nigerians.

“Leadership is not merely the constitutional right to occupy an office; it is the judgment to know when your country needs you at home,” he said.

Using an analogy, Atiku said a father would not leave home with a suitcase when his family and house were in danger.

“A father may travel when all is well. But when his roof is burning and his family is trapped inside, he does not pick up his suitcase and head for the airport,” he said.

Atiku stressed that his criticism was not based on the argument that a president should never travel or take time off, but on what he described as the timing of Tinubu’s absence.

“It is that Nigeria is burning, and the President has chosen a boarding pass over the fire extinguisher,” he said.

The former Vice-President further criticised the administration’s economic policies, saying millions of Nigerians were struggling to afford basic transportation and other necessities.

“Millions of Nigerians are being grounded by hardship while their President is airborne. The people can barely afford to move, but the President keeps moving,” Atiku added.

He argued that a government must understand the impact of its policies on citizens before it could effectively address the challenges facing the country.

“A government that cannot feel the pain it inflicts will never summon the will to end it,” he said.

Atiku, who is seeking the presidency on the ADC platform in 2027, concluded by contrasting his proposed economic agenda with the Tinubu administration.

“Tinubu made Nigeria expensive. I will make Nigeria affordable again,” he said.