ADC Questions President Tinubu’s Whereabouts After BRICS Summit, Demands Transparency

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed serious concern over what it termed the “mysterious absence” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following his participation in the 2025 BRICS summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said President Tinubu left public view after the summit concluded on July 7 and did not reappear in Nigeria until the early hours of Sunday—five days later—without any official communication regarding his whereabouts.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must come clean about where he has been since the BRICS summit ended,” Abdullahi stated. “He vanished from public view on July 7th, the day the summit wrapped up, and only reappeared quietly in Abuja five days later. No updates, no briefings—just silence.”

The ADC contrasted Tinubu’s absence with the prompt return and public engagement of other world leaders who attended the summit, accusing the Nigerian presidency of failing in its duty to inform citizens.

Abdullahi also pointed to what he described as a recurring pattern of unexplained trips and disappearances by the president. He referenced a previous instance in January 2024, when Tinubu’s “private visit” to France reportedly turned into a two-week absence, again with no photos, press releases, or public briefings.

“In all these instances, there was no formal communication with Nigerians. No letter was sent to the National Assembly, no official handover to the Vice President—just a troubling vacuum,” Abdullahi said.

The party criticized the presidency’s silence, especially at a time when the country is facing significant security challenges and economic hardship.

“A country in crisis cannot afford a president who disappears without notice,” the statement warned. “It sends the wrong message. Leadership requires not just presence, but also accountability.”

The ADC also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of displaying “utter disregard” for public accountability by refusing to offer clear explanations for the president’s absences.

“When leaders go off the radar without accountability, it chips away at public trust,” Abdullahi said. “The ruling party’s repeated excuses insult the intelligence of Nigerians. We demand transparency—not cover-ups.”

As of press time, the presidency has not issued a response to the ADC’s concerns.