Peter Obi Slams Tinubu’s Planned Trip to Japan, Brazil, Calls It Insensitive

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s upcoming 12-day foreign trip to Japan and Brazil, calling it insensitive amid Nigeria’s deepening economic and security challenges.

In a statement posted Thursday on X (formerly Twitter), Obi said the President’s frequent international travels reflect a lack of urgency and empathy for the country’s worsening situation. He urged Tinubu to cut back on overseas engagements and focus more on domestic crises.

Nigeria News 247 reports that President Tinubu is scheduled to depart Abuja on Thursday, with a stopover in Dubai, en route to Yokohama, Japan, for the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) from August 20 to 22.

Obi questioned the necessity of the trip, noting that the President had recently visited Brazil and should instead focus on visiting Nigerian states grappling with hardship and insecurity.

Referring to Tinubu’s extended stay in St. Lucia before attending the BRICS Summit — where Nigeria only participated as an observer — Obi called for tighter, more purposeful travel schedules.

“What our nation needs now is the security of lives and property, economic stability, and ensuring that our people have food on their tables,” Obi said. “Nigerians don’t expect overnight miracles, but they want to see 100% effort and tireless commitment.”

He added that Tinubu “must understand he’s not a tourist but the Chief Executive of a troubled nation,” urging a leadership style that reflects the urgency of Nigeria’s current challenges.