Peter Obi has strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu for planning to travel to Brazil and Japan on August 14, saying the trip is coming at a bad time when Nigeria is facing severe insecurity and economic hardship.

In a message on his X account, Obi said Tinubu’s constant trips abroad show a lack of concern for the country’s urgent problems.

He advised the President to spend more time visiting crisis-hit states and talking directly to Nigerians instead of acting like a tourist.

The Presidency revealed that Tinubu will leave Abuja on Thursday, August 14, for a visit to two countries, with a stopover in Dubai before heading to Japan.

Obi questioned why Tinubu is returning to Brazil so soon after a recent visit, especially when many pressing issues at home remain unsolved.

He said such trips give the wrong impression to citizens who expect the President to focus on local challenges.

In Japan, Tinubu is scheduled to attend the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) from August 20 to 22 in Yokohama.

Obi pointed out that the official itinerary did not state when the President will return to Nigeria.

He expressed worry that Tinubu has not visited any troubled states since taking office, yet he travels abroad frequently. Obi criticised the habit of leaving the country days before events instead of keeping foreign trips short.

Citing a past example, Obi said Tinubu spent a week in St. Lucia before attending the BRICS Summit, even though Nigeria was only there as an observer. He noted that leaders of actual member countries arrived just a day or two before the event.

Obi described Nigeria’s situation as deeply troubling, with insecurity, economic difficulties, and hunger at their worst levels.

He urged Tinubu to stay in Nigeria more, visit communities, listen to citizens, and take meaningful action to solve problems.

He also argued that the planned 12-day trip could be reduced to five days since the Japan conference begins on August 20. According to him, the country needs a leader who is fully committed and present.

Obi concluded by saying that while Nigerians know their problems won’t disappear overnight, they expect 100% effort from the President.

He stressed that Tinubu must remember he is the Chief Executive of a troubled nation, not a tourist, and should limit his travel while focusing on the urgent work needed at home.