Atiku Faults Tinubu’s Three-Week Europe Vacation, Says Nigeria Faces Leadership Vacuum

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to embark on a three-week vacation in Europe, describing the move as evidence of what he called a “disturbing vacuum of political leadership” amid Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 election, said although Nigeria was not facing a constitutional vacuum, the country was experiencing a shortage of political leadership.
He argued that there was a fundamental difference between private travels and the responsibility of a sitting President, particularly at a time when many Nigerians were facing economic hardship.
According to Atiku, rising petrol prices, food costs, transportation expenses and persistent insecurity have placed enormous pressure on millions of Nigerians.
“The issue here is not that a President must never rest or travel. It is that Nigeria is burning, and the President has chosen a boarding pass over the fire extinguisher,” Atiku said.
The former Vice President also questioned the timing of the President’s trip, noting that Vice President Kashim Shettima was reportedly outside the country on official duty.
“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 stated.
Using a family analogy, Atiku said a responsible father would not leave when his home and family were facing 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 further accused the Tinubu administration of worsening the cost of living in the country, saying millions of Nigerians were struggling with rising expenses.
“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,” he added.
He concluded by promising to pursue policies aimed at reducing the cost of living if elected president.
“Tinubu made Nigeria expensive. I will make Nigeria affordable again,” Atiku declared.