The African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has slammed president Bola Tinubu over his decision to embark a on three-week vacation in Europe.
In a statement on Sunday, Atiku said Tinubu’s absence from the country at a time of widespread hardship reflected a ‘disturbing vacuum of political leadership’.
According to him, there was no constitutional vacuum, arguing that the circumstances surrounding Tinubu’s trip raised questions about his leadership priorities.
“Nigeria is burning. Nigeria may not be facing a constitutional vacuum today, but there is a disturbing vacuum of political leadership,” Atiku said.
The former vice-president contrasted Tinubu’s trip with his own travels, noting that the responsibilities of a sitting president were different from those of a private citizen.
“I have travelled, lived and spent time abroad, and I have never pretended otherwise. But there is a fundamental difference between the travels of a private citizen and the responsibility of the sitting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he added.
The presidential candidate listed the rising living costs, food insecurity, high transport fares and insecurity among the challenges confronting Nigerians.
He argued that the situation required the President’s presence in the country.
“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,” he said.
‘Nigeria is burning’ —Atiku tackles Tinubu over Europe vacation