Mahdi Shehu has strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu following reports that the Presidency spent over N34 billion on foreign travel within a two-year period. Reacting to the figures, Shehu described the spending as insensitive and disconnected from the realities facing ordinary Nigerians amid economic hardship.

In a post shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, Shehu referenced a report claiming that about N34.39 billion was used for foreign exchange purchases tied to international trips and other official engagements over 24 months. According to him, such expenditure reflects a lack of empathy for citizens struggling with rising living costs and worsening economic conditions.

Shehu condemned the spending in harsh terms, calling it “heartless governance” and accusing the administration of what he described as governance terrorism, democratic robbery and political banditry. He argued that allocating such huge sums to foreign trips amounts to economic sabotage, adding that the action was immoral and indecent given the level of poverty in the country.

The activist further claimed that the spending represents a deliberate misuse of public resources and a series of local and foreign policy missteps. Describing it as a crime against humanity and a reckless destruction of national resources, Shehu said Nigerians are already suffering enough and should not be subjected to what he termed unnecessary financial excesses by those in power.