Anger, Hope As Tinubu Ends Paris-London Leave
Nigerians have reacted with frustration, hope, and scepticism to President Bola Tinubu’s return from his extended leave to Paris, France, on Sunday.
“While he was away, we lost over [over 284] innocent lives at the hands of marauding herdsmen,” lamented Shagba Zaki Orturan in response to the announcement. “The food basket is becoming a blood basket. Let Mr President act now. We are helpless.”
Tinubu had extended his stay abroad beyond the two-week leave initially announced by the presidency. He departed Abuja for Paris, France, on April 2 for what was described as a retreat to enable him to “appraise his administration’s midterm performance and assess key milestones”.
Last Thursday, the presidency addressed public concerns about the president’s prolonged stay. Onanuga had assured Nigerians that Tinubu remained “fully engaged” in the country’s governance despite being overseas.
He also revealed that the president had relocated from Paris to London over the weekend and maintained “constant communication with key government officials”.
The latest trip came barely two months after Tinubu visited France on a private visit. The president has made over 30 foreign trips since assuming office on May 29, 2023.
In a Facebook post on Sunday night, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga shared photos of Tinubu’s arrival. Among the officials who welcomed him home were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike; and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Some citizens who reacted to Onanuga’s earlier post announcing Tinubu’s return expressed anger over the president’s absence during recent attacks in Plateau and Benue States, which have reportedly claimed no fewer than 284 lives.
“Were Nigerians not massacred in Plateau and Benue States when he snubbed them and jumped into the tax-payers-purchased jet to France?” questioned Smart Chukwuma Amaefula, adding, “What is his value to Nigeria?”
Another commenter, Aselemi Love, sarcastically remarked, “What is he coming back to do? I thought he was the French prime minister. You people should be ashamed of yourselves.”
However, Aliyu Ibrahim Makama expressed hope that “his return will normalise the hardship situation in this country,” noting that “Nigerians are suffering more than you can ever expect.”
He added that even grassroots mobilisers for the administration “have nothing tangible to use for a campaign, especially here in the North.”
Others used the announcement to call for policy interventions by the Tinubu administration.
Kizito Okokhere urged President Tinubu to “immediately face changing the security architecture, which he campaigned to change.” He suggested the formation of “a joint committee on state or even local government police”.
Olumuyiwa Fafure wrote, “Welcome back, Mr President. Can you reshuffle the cabinet again? The Minister of Power is useless so far.”
Nkereuwem Akpan recommended that upon return, the president should meet with governors from affected states and security chiefs for “extreme carrot and stick solutions” while also accelerating gas projects to “calm down nerves”.
While criticism dominated the reactions, some supporters maintained their faith in Tinubu’s leadership.
Olusesi Boyejo said, “Even his enemies are missing him. Atiku and Obi cannot sleep. Indeed, Tinubu is a man of destiny.”
However, others like Chidi Chukwuonye offered scathing assessments: “There is absolutely no difference between his being around and his not being around. He remains inept, clueless and incompetent, no matter where he runs Nigeria from.”
Anger, Hope As Tinubu Ends Paris-London Leave is first published on The Whistler Newspaper