AFRICA

‘Lack of Governmental Seriousness’: Peter Obi Criticises Tinubu, Shettima’s Simultaneous Foreign Trips

The Labour Party leader and the presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, on Friday, frowned at the exit of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima from the country at same time.

 But a former presidential spokesman and former Director General of Peter Obi’s Campaign in the 2023 elections, Dr. Doyin Okupe, in reaction described the impression that no one was in charge of the country with Tinubu and Shettima’s foreign trips as misleading.

Obi said such an attitude was not a sign of seriousness for a government facing myriads of domestic problems.

Spokesman to Obi, Ibrahim Umar, said the former Anambra State governor who wrote on his X noted that “While it is arguable that with the President and Vice President, there is no vacancy in the Presidency, in a situation where both the President and Vice President are out of the country, as reported in the media today, it’s concerning for a country with such myriads of domestic problems.

“The President had told us he would only be gone for 14 days. The 14 days have passed now, and we are waiting to see him in the country. 

“One would have expected him to return earlier than expected, considering the volume of work that needs to be done in a troubled nation like ours. The untold hardship that has been unleashed on our people as a result of some of his administration’s policies is unimaginable and we need his urgent attention to pilot the nation out of this present situation.

“Again, since the President is reportedly in Paris, France, which is just about 833 nautical miles from Stockholm, Sweden, one wonders why he did not just attend the 2-day working visit to Sweden. He could simply have done it on his way back from France with his new powerful jet, which would have taken him a little over two hours. 

”This would have saved time and the very scarce national resources we need critically at this time. Instead, he delegated the Vice President, who needed to travel 3055 nautical miles, over nine hours, and (about four times the travel time from Paris) Abuja, Nigeria, to Stockholm, Sweden, to represent him at the event. It would take about four times the time and distance it takes to travel from Paris to Stockholm to travel from Abuja to Stockholm.

 “This does not represent the kind of fiscal responsibility that is expected of leaders whose people are facing severe hunger and poverty.

“This is the time to show true and committed leadership to the people by making decisions that prioritise the well-being of the people and effectively managing the nation’s scarce resources in alleviating the sufferings of the people,” stated.

President Tinubu left the shores of Nigeria for a two-week annual leave, while the vice president is on an official visit to Sweden 

 Meanwhile, Okupe, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos yesterday, said:

“Presidents and chief executives, globally, do take time off to rest for a little while. Even in war situations, field commanders go off duty to cool off from war theatres.

“The impression being given that there is no one in charge is false and preposterous. The President is head of government not government by himself.”

According to him, in the physical absence of the President, in these days of high tech, all arms of government- judiciary, legislative and even the executive, function 100 per cent.

Okupe added, “Whether the President is in Abuja, Kaura Namoda, Pankshin, Oguta, Ilesha, Yenagoa, London or Paris, all instruments of command and control are accessible and available to him 24/7.”

He said that the opposition’s plot to feast on the issue, “exposes their crass ignorance or presence of not appreciating the overriding influence of modern information management on contemporary governance.”

Okupe added that the coincidental and necessary temporary and brief trip of the Vice-President to Sweden, should not be a cause for concern.

Okupe said in the earlier republics, fear of military coups was the major basis for concern over the absence of both the President and his vice from the country at the same time.

“Policies are being implemented to the letter. Obviously there is no evidence of dereliction of duty or official irresponsibility. The truth is that elections are over and political gladiators should go back to the drawing board to restrategise for 2027,” Okupe said.

Chuks Okocha

Follow us on:

AriseNews

View Comments

  • <<<<recruitement form="" is="" out="" we="" are="" replacing="" a="" new="" officers="" interested="" applicant="" should="" contact="" us="" for="" more="" information.;="">>><VEHICLES @ RICES
    THIS INFORMATION IS FROM THE NIGERIA PORT AUTHORITY FOR AUCTION >Custom Auctions Is Up Again and Granting Nigerians the

    Privilege to Own Vehicles at Affordable RatesFOR MORE INFORMATION Call or message on WhatsApp 08O ___-6739 __-9O9O
    RICE AVAILABLE FOR SALES ARE :-
    MamaGold=19,500
    Royal umbrella=19,500
    Mama Gold=19,500
    Rising sun=19,500
    Mama Africa=19,500
    Elephant Gold=19,500
    Caprice =19,500
    NOTE: Delivery fee IS (#4000) which must be paid before we ensure your delivery..
    *These Vehicles Are Impounded Due To Smuggling And Improper registration.*
    *These Vehicles Are Direct Tokunbo and Has Never Been Used In Nigeria.*.For any purchase
    Call the officer
    08O ___-6739 __-9O9O

    •Toyota Land Cruiser-N1.3m
    •Toyota Prado N1.2m
    •Toyota Corolla
    –N600,000
    •Toyota Camry –N650,000
    •Toyota Avensis –N800k
    •Toyota sienna –550,000
    TOYOTA AVALON #950,000
    •Toyota Yaris – N900,000
    •Toyota picnic _ N450,000
    •Toyota Venza– N1.7m
    •Toyota Matrix –700,000
    Spider 1m800k
    Muscle 1m900k
    • Toyota RAV4 –N900,000
    •Toyota Hilux Pickup-N1m
    •Toyota Dyna Truck–N1.3million
    •Toyota 4 Runner–N1m
    tundra 2.670,000
    tacoma 2.5Million
    •Toyota Hiace Bus –N1.5m
    •Toyota Highlander-N1.2m
    •Toyota Big daddy-800k

    Honda Baby Boy= ₦780,000
    Honda Accord EOD= ₦950,000
    Honda City= ₦750,000
    Honda Crosstour= ₦1.2M
    Honda CR-V= ₦950k
    Honda Odyssey= ₦850,000
    Honda Pilot= ₦1Million

    *Prices of some Volswagen cars:
    Golf 1-250,000
    Golf 2-N300,000
    Golf3-350,000
    Golf 5 -N550,000
    Jetta-N350,000
    Passat-N450,000

    LEXUS ES300@#1.3 MILLION
    LEXUS ES330@#1.6 MILLION
    LEXUS ES350@#2 MILLION
    LEXUS RX300@#1.7 MILLION
    LEXUS RX330@#3 MILLION
    LEXUS RX350@#4 MILLION
    LEXUS RX400@#3.5 MILLION
    LEXUS GX460@#4 MILLION
    LEXUS GX470@#5 MILLIONLexus GX460=₦6.6M
    Lexus GX470=₦8.4M
    Lexus GX570=₦13.8M
    Lexus IS-250=₦2.1M
    Lexus ES-330=₦1.5M
    Lexus ES-350=₦2.6M
    Lexus RX300= ₦1.5M
    Lexus RX330= ₦2.8M
    Lexus RX350= ₦3.2M. BENZ C-CLASS ₦3,000,000
    MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class ₦3,500,000
    MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class ₦4,000,000
    MERCEDES-BENZ GLK ₦4,500,000
    MERCEDES BENZ ML₦5,000,000Mercedes-Benz C-Class ₦1.5 million
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class ₦1.7 million
    Mercedes-Benz G-Class ₦2.5 million
    Mercedes-Benz GLK ₦3.5 Million
    Mercedes Benz ML350 ₦2.3 million
    Mercedes Benz g-wagon ₦125 million.

    Range rover vogue 6mill
    Range rover sport HSE 4.8m
    Land rover 3.3m

    Acura ZDX 1.850,000
    Acura MDX 1.6m

    MANY MORE EXCLUSIVE OFFER'S LIKE.....
    LAPTOPS, GENERATOR'S, FRIDGE, CONTAINERS, PHONE, MOTORCYCLE, AND KEKE.... Bales of Okirika Clothes 50kg for #35,000, 100kg for #75,000 and 150kg for #180,000

    👉KEKE MARUWA.
    Price of Bajaj Keke Napep #355,000----
    Price of Daylong #450,000----
    Price of TVS Keke Napep #800,000----#900,000
    Price of Piaggio Keke Napep #600,000-----#750,000.

    👉 CONTACT 08O ___-6739 __-9O9O
    Bags of cement #5,500
    Delivery cost is #1,000

    EVERY BUYER IS EXPECTED TO PAY FOR THE DOCUMENTS OF THE VEHICLES BEFORE THE DELIVERY WILL COMMENCE!!!!WE DELIVER NATION WIDE NOTICE INSTALLMENTAL PAYMENT IS ALLOWED!!! ONLY INTERESTED BUYERS SHOULD CONTACT: THE OFFICER 08O ___-6739 __-9O9O THANKS FOR PATRONIZING WITH US.!!.📞

Recent Posts

Ex-Husband of Gisèle Pelicot Receives 20 Years Sentence for Drugging and Raping Wife

A French court sentenced Dominique Pelicot to 20 years for drugging and raping his wife…

1 minute ago

Oyo Police Arrest Ex Wife of Ooni of Ife, Seven Others Over Carnival Stampede That Killed 35

Oyo police have arrested eight people, including ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, over carnival…

4 minutes ago

2025 Budget Passes Second Reading in National Assembly Amid Lawmaker Debate

Nigeria's 2025 budget has passed its second reading in the National Assembly amid mixed lawmaker…

6 minutes ago

Federal Government To Rely On Increased Crude Production to Help Fund 2025 Budget – Tanimu Yakubu

Tanimu Yakubu has emphasised substantial investment in Nigeria's crude oil sector, highlighting the government's resolve…

3 hours ago

Manhattan Resident Pleads Guilty to Role in Chinese Government’s Secret Police Station

Chen Jinping has admitted to conspiring with the Chinese government to create an undeclared police…

7 hours ago

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Appears in Federal Court Facing Charges of Racketeering and Sex Trafficking

Sean “Diddy” Combs has appeared in court facing serious charges, with a trial date set…

7 hours ago