The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised President Bola Tinubu over what it described as the “worrying frequency” of his foreign travels.
According to the party, Tinubu’s constant absence from the country comes at a time when strong leadership is urgently required at home.
The ADC made this known in a statement shared on its official X handle.
On Thursday, Tinubu was scheduled to embark on a two-nation visit to Japan and Brazil, with a brief stopover in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
A Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, also faulted Tinubu’s planned 12-day trip to Japan and Brazil, describing it as insensitive given Nigeria’s deepening security and economic crises.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) stressed that “today, President Tinubu is set to leave Abuja for yet another foreign tour.”
The party pointed out that, according to public records, this marks the President’s 40th trip abroad since assuming office, with a cumulative stay of about 181 days — nearly six months spent outside the country.
According to the ADC, Tinubu has spent nearly a quarter of his 26 months in office outside the country. The party noted that the President is now “on course to make his 41st international stop before visiting most Nigerian states,” observing that since his inauguration, he has only toured 13 of the 36 states while covering more foreign destinations within the same period.
The party further raised concerns about the cost implications, arguing that “despite the billions of naira expended on each trip, there have been no tangible economic benefits to justify the frequent travels.”
Highlighting the worsening insecurity that reportedly claims an average of 30 lives daily and the widespread poverty pushing millions into hardship, the ADC accused Tinubu of running a “frequent flier presidency,” which it said reflects a government “disconnected from the pains and concerns of its people.”
The ADC lamented that from Benue to Zamfara and across the country, citizens are being slaughtered in their homes, bandits are imposing illegal taxes, millions are trapped in economic hardship, and child malnutrition is on the rise.
The party stressed that Nigerians expect their President to be physically present to provide leadership, empathy, and direction. However, it argued, Tinubu seems to believe either that there are greater challenges abroad or that the solutions to Nigeria’s problems lie outside the country.
Addressing recent rumours about the President’s health, the ADC noted that since August 1, 2025, Tinubu had been absent from public view for over a week. Although the Presidency later insisted that he was “fit as a fiddle,” the party warned that speculation about a President’s health could damage the economy, discourage investors, and embolden enemies.
Rejecting claims that Tinubu can govern effectively from undisclosed locations, the ADC maintained that a President disappearing without explanation only fuels damaging rumours. It added that a brief, seemingly stage-managed appearance, followed immediately by another foreign trip without a clear return date, does little to calm public concern.
The party further suggested that Tinubu’s frequent travels could have been avoided if he had appointed ambassadors. According to the ADC, delegating diplomatic responsibilities to envoys would reduce the need for the President to personally attend every international meeting. It reiterated that without ambassadors to follow up, such trips are unlikely to yield meaningful benefits for Nigeria.
Concluding its statement, the ADC declared that Nigeria needs a President who is present. “While millions of citizens are suffering, our leaders cannot afford to treat governance as a part-time job,” the party said.
