The Peoples Democratic Party has expressed disappointment over President Bola Tinubu's decision to extend his working vacation in Europe and miss the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. The party's National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, stated that Tinubu's absence came at a difficult time for Nigerians, who are grappling with rising insecurity, economic challenges, and renewed hopelessness.
According to the PDP, President Tinubu, having sought the presidency and been sworn into office, remains accountable to Nigerians and must be answerable to citizens about how he discharges his responsibilities. The party emphasized that if Tinubu is not in Nigeria solving the country's problems, he should be at UNGA seeking international help for the nation.
The PDP described Tinubu's decision to remain on vacation as difficult to reconcile with the realities confronting Nigerians, arguing that the country's security and economic challenges demand his attention. The party drew an analogy, stating that no reasonable parent or caretaker goes on vacation when their house is burning.
The opposition party also took issue with the Presidency's attitude towards Nigerians questioning Tinubu's absence, insisting that citizens have a right to demand accountability from the person they entrusted with the nation's highest office. The PDP reminded the President and the Presidency that Tinubu sought the job and became the servant, not lord and master, of the country and all Nigerians.
The PDP questioned why Tinubu, having traveled to Europe, would not proceed to the United States for UNGA, describing the annual gathering as an important opportunity for Nigeria to seek international support. The party stated that the President should either be in Nigeria tackling the country's problems or at the global forum seeking assistance for them.
According to the PDP, Tinubu's absence from both Nigeria and UNGA is particularly troubling because, while he was on vacation in Europe, the President of the country where he was staying was attending the global summit. The party urged Nigerians to take note of what it described as the 'disrespect and disdain' shown by the Presidency towards citizens demanding that the President execute the responsibilities of his office.
The PDP subsequently urged Nigerians to allow the controversy to inform their choices at the next presidential election, saying the country needs a leader prepared to work both within Nigeria and internationally. The party emphasized that this must guide their choices at the ballot in January, during the presidential elections, because Nigeria needs a President who is ready, willing, and able to work conscientiously for the country, locally and internationally.
Key points
- President Tinubu's absence from UNGA amid Nigeria's challenges has sparked criticism from the opposition party, PDP.
- The PDP argues that Tinubu's absence is particularly troubling given the country's rising insecurity and economic woes.
- The party has urged Nigerians to consider the controversy when making their choices at the next presidential election.
