Nigeria Is Burning| But Its CEO Is Chilling in France” — Peter Obi Slams Tinubu’s Foreign Retreat Amid National Crisis

Tensions flared on Tuesday as Labour Party’s Peter Obi took a bold swipe at President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of abandoning Nigeria during a critical period to retreat in luxury abroad. Obi likened the President to a runaway CEO, managing a “troubled company” from the safety and comfort of France, while millions at home face economic hardship, insecurity, and growing unrest.

“The CEO of the troubling company called Nigeria is relaxing in a faraway land in France, while everything is falling apart at home,” Obi said in a scathing statement, sparking a wave of criticism and renewed debate over the President’s frequent foreign trips.

Obi’s remarks strike at the heart of growing frustration among Nigerians who say their leaders appear more committed to globetrotting than addressing the urgent issues plaguing the nation—from the rising cost of living to escalating violence in various regions.

Supporters of Tinubu have rushed to defend the trip, calling it a necessary diplomatic or personal engagement. But critics argue the optics are damning, and the silence from Aso Rock on the purpose of the visit only deepens public distrust.

As Nigerians continue to grapple with economic uncertainty and social unrest, Obi’s challenge has added fuel to an already simmering political fire—raising the question: Who is really steering the ship while the country drifts?