By SUNTV Global Channel
August 31, 2026
Former Vice President and 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his decision to embark on a three-week annual vacation in Europe amid what he described as worsening economic hardship and insecurity across Nigeria.
Tinubu reportedly departed Nigeria on Saturday, August 29, 2026, to begin his annual leave in Europe. According to the Presidency, the President is expected to spend part of the vacation in the United Kingdom on a private visit.
Reacting to the President’s trip in a statement shared on his X account on Sunday, Atiku argued that Nigeria is currently experiencing what he described as a “disturbing vacuum of political leadership.”
The former vice president said the President’s decision to leave the country at a time when Nigerians are grappling with economic difficulties raises questions about leadership and priorities.
“There is a disturbing vacuum of political leadership,” Atiku said, stressing that there is a difference between the travels of a private citizen and those of a sitting President.
Atiku listed rising petrol prices, food insecurity, high transportation costs and insecurity as some of the major challenges he said Nigerians are currently facing.
He questioned the timing of Tinubu’s three-week vacation, particularly because Vice President Kashim Shettima was also outside the country on official duties.
“And in the middle of all this, President Tinubu has packed his bags for three weeks in Europe,” Atiku said.
According to him, occupying the presidency goes beyond exercising the constitutional powers attached to the office, arguing that effective leadership also requires the ability to recognise moments when the country needs the physical presence of its leader.
Using an analogy, Atiku said a leader should not abandon a crisis when immediate attention is required.
“A father may travel when all is well. But when his roof is burning, and his family is trapped inside, he does not pick up his suitcase and head for the airport,” he said.
Atiku clarified that his criticism was not based on the belief that a Nigerian president should never travel or take time off.
Rather, he said his concern was the timing of the President’s vacation in view of the challenges confronting citizens.
“It is not that a President must never rest or travel. It is that Nigeria is burning, and the President has chosen a boarding pass over the fire extinguisher,” Atiku stated.
He further accused the Tinubu administration of becoming disconnected from the economic difficulties being experienced by ordinary Nigerians.
According to Atiku, a government that fails to understand the hardship faced by citizens may struggle to develop the political will required to address those challenges.
He concluded his criticism by contrasting his political agenda with the current administration, declaring:
“Tinubu made Nigeria expensive. I will make Nigeria affordable again.”
The remarks come amid continued public debate over Nigeria’s cost of living, fuel prices, transportation expenses, food affordability and insecurity.
The Presidency has maintained that President Tinubu’s trip is part of his annual leave, while the President continues to be represented by the Vice President during his absence.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor developments surrounding the President’s vacation and reactions from political leaders and Nigerians.
