Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has strongly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s scheduled visit to Saint Lucia, describing it as grossly insensitive and ill-timed in light of Nigeria’s deteriorating economic and security conditions.
In a detailed statement released on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Obi questioned the priorities of the Nigerian government, expressing disbelief and dismay that the President would embark on a leisure-inclusive international trip while Nigerians continue to suffer under severe hardship.
“Dear Nigerians, I am struggling with my senses to understand what is happening to governance in this country,” Obi wrote. “What I have seen and witnessed in the last two years has left me in shock—especially the poor delivery of governance, misplaced focus on political gains, and a visible dedication to the satisfaction of the elite class—while the majority of Nigerians remain trapped in poverty and insecurity.”
Obi referenced a recent Presidency announcement, which confirmed that President Tinubu would depart Nigeria on Saturday, June 28, 2025, for Saint Lucia in the Caribbean, ahead of his scheduled attendance at the upcoming BRICS summit in Brazil.
According to reports, part of the trip includes private leisure time, with official engagements set for June 30 and July 1. The remainder of the visit will reportedly be a personal vacation.
Obi noted that the news was initially made public by Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre, during a press briefing the previous week. However, he initially dismissed the report, refusing to believe that a President facing such national crises would contemplate a holiday abroad.
“I told the person who drew my attention to the Caribbean story that it could not be true. I didn’t want to believe that a leader, especially the President—who bears the ultimate responsibility for the nation’s welfare—would choose to embark on a leisure trip amidst the chaos unfolding in virtually every sector of our country,” Obi explained.
Highlighting the tragedies that have recently afflicted parts of the nation, Obi condemned Tinubu’s apparent indifference to the plight of citizens. He cited the example of Minna, Niger State, where a devastating flood disaster claimed the lives of over 200 people, with more than 700 still missing. Despite the scale of this humanitarian tragedy, the President has yet to visit the affected communities.
He also recalled the President’s belated visit to Benue State, where over 200 people were killed in brutal attacks. According to Obi, this visit appeared more like a political event than a condolence mission. The trip was marked by a public holiday declaration, and children were made to line the streets to welcome the President—who failed to visit the actual site of the killings.
Obi took issue with the symbolic contrast in land mass and population between Nigeria and Saint Lucia to drive home the point about misplaced priorities:
“Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, covers an area of 937.4 square kilometres, which is over 59% larger than Saint Lucia’s 617 square kilometres. Minna is ten times bigger, at 6,789 square kilometres. In population, Saint Lucia has just 180,000 people, far fewer than Makurdi’s nearly 490,000 or Minna’s 532,000.”
According to Obi, the scale of suffering across the country calls not for leisure but for urgent, focused leadership: “This country’s present situation does not warrant a holiday for anyone in power, least of all the President.
“At a time when millions of Nigerians cannot afford a daily meal, and when insecurity continues to claim innocent lives, the President’s decision to travel for leisure is deeply troubling,” he said.
The former governor of Anambra State further lamented the current administration’s apparent lack of compassion and responsiveness, especially towards the poor and vulnerable. He said the government’s actions indicate a disturbing pattern of prioritising the interests of the rich and powerful, while neglecting the suffering majority.
“This regime has repeatedly shown its insensitivity. It is consumed by the 2027 election, chasing power consolidation, and focused on appeasing the rich, while the number of those living in extreme poverty continues to rise.”
Concluding his remarks, Obi issued a passionate appeal to the nation’s leadership to reflect and urgently correct course: “It is important for our leaders to understand that Nigeria’s God-given resources belong to all Nigerians—not a privileged few. The time has come to reverse this dangerous drift before it consumes us all. The focus should now be on lifting people out of poverty, not indulging in luxuries at the public’s expense.”