“Where is Nigeria’s President?” Peter Obi questions Tinubu’s continuous absence from home, global events

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has questioned the whereabouts and prolonged absence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from Nigeria and major international engagements.

Obi raised the issue in a statement published on Sunday on his official X account by his spokesperson, Idris Zekeri Jnr.

According to official statements from the State House cited in the report, Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30, 2026, for a three-week working vacation in Europe as part of his annual leave.

However, the report says concerns have grown among opposition figures and civil society groups following the expected end of the president’s leave without his reported return to executive duties in Abuja or attendance at some major international events.

Obi’s comments came after Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama addressed the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

The former Anambra State governor compared Ghana’s diplomatic presence at the UN with what he described as Nigeria’s absence from the global stage.

“Here is the remarkable address delivered by Ghana’s dynamic President, John Dramani Mahama, at the 81st UNGA,” Obi wrote.

“As the international community commends this distinguished leader, many are asking: Where is the President of Africa’s most populous nation, a country of more than 200 million people—more than Ghana—whose leader has been absent from the global stage for three consecutive UNGAs?”

Obi also expressed concern about what he described as the president’s absence amid Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.

“Nigeria’s President, who ought to be representing and guiding the continent at the international level, has not attended any of these three global gatherings. Where is he, particularly at a time when the country faces significant challenges both domestically and internationally?” Obi asked.

While acknowledging that Vice President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria at the UNGA, Obi argued that the vice president’s presence did not resolve his concerns about the president’s absence.

“Although our Vice President, Kashim Shettima, was present, the question remains: where is the President?

“Let us continue to pray for his return and for his leadership in addressing the many challenges confronting the nation, but let us hope that a New Nigeria is possible and will be O-K.” Obi added.