Tinubu’s Overseas Travels Spark Speculation and Concern

President Bola Tinubu’s recent overseas travels and whereabouts have raised concerns and speculation once again. On August 29, Tinubu embarked on a trip to China with a planned brief stopover in Dubai. However, he was unexpectedly spotted in London on Wednesday.

Tinubu arrived in Beijing in the early hours of September 1, where he engaged in a series of meetings and agreements with Chinese officials during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. He met with Nigerians in China on September 5 before departing the same day. Since then, there has been no official update on his location until his appearance in London.

A State House statement on September 6 mentioned the President’s directive for evacuation and relief for Maiduguri flood victims but did not specify where Tinubu was issuing these orders from. This lack of transparency regarding the President’s whereabouts has caused public concern.

This is not the first instance of Tinubu’s elusive travel patterns. In April, he visited The Netherlands and then Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a World Economic Forum meeting. Afterward, he did not return immediately, causing confusion until the Presidency confirmed his return from Europe in early May.

In January, Tinubu’s “private visit” to France was shrouded in secrecy, fueling health rumors until his return two weeks later. On August 19, he used the new presidential jet for a brief work visit to Paris, returning after three days.

Tinubu’s absence comes at a critical time, with ongoing issues such as a prolonged petrol crisis, widespread flooding, and security challenges. The President’s presence and leadership are crucial in addressing these pressing national issues.

The lack of accountability and transparency in the President’s travels has been likened to past administrations, including that of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and former President Muhammadu Buhari, who also faced criticism for their overseas absences.

In democratic governance, accountability is paramount. Tinubu’s unexplained movements and extended foreign trips have been viewed as a disregard for the responsibilities of his office, diminishing the stature and trust in the presidency.