The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has fumed over President Bola Tinubu’s planned two-nation visit to the Japan and Brazil.
NPO earlier Reported that the President will be departing Abuja on Thursday as announced in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, Tinubu will have a brief stop-over in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, before heading to Japan ahead of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), scheduled to hold in Yokohama, Japan from the 20th to 22nd of August.
After the event, the President will proceed to Brasilia, Brazil, for a state visit from 24th to 25th of August at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
While in Brazil, he is expected to hold bilateral talks with his host and participate in a business forum aimed at attracting Brazilian investment to Nigeria.
Reacting in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described Tinubu’s planned 12-day trip as alarm.
The coalition party claimed that the trip will mark the 41st international stop made by the President within 26 months.
As against his frequent international trip, the ADC alleged that Tinubu had only visit 13 out of the 36 states in Nigeria.
The party decried the wasteful foreign trip which they claimed to have no economic gain to Nigeria.
“Today, President Tinubu will depart Abuja for yet another foreign tour. By public records, this will be the President’s 40th foreign trip since assuming office, spending a cumulative total of around 181 days abroad, the equivalent of almost six full months.
“This means that in the 26 months he has been President, nearly 25% of his time has been spent outside the country. During this trip, President Tinubu is on track to make his 41st international stop before setting foot in most Nigerian states.
“Since inauguration, President Tinubu has only visited 13 out of 36 States, but has visited more foreign countries during the same period. This is not good.
“Moreso, considering that there are no real economic gains for the junkets despite the billions of Naira spent per day and per trip.” the statement read in part.
The ADC further held that the socio-economic challenges bedeviling Nigeria demands the President’s presence for necessary leadership, empathy, and direction.
“Set against the growing insecurity that claims the lives of an average 30 Nigerian each day, and widespread poverty that have left majority of citizens in misery, this frequent flier presidency stands in stark contrast and as a testament to a government that no longer cares what the people think or feel.
“From Benue to Zamfara and other parts of our country, taxes are being imposed by bandits, citizens are being slaughtered in their homes, millions are facing economic hardship and the population of malnourished children has continued to grow.
“Nigerians expect their President to be on ground to provide leadership, empathy, and direction.
“However, it would appear that the President thinks that there are more serious problems for him to solve outside the country or he believes the solutions to the many troubles we face at home could actually be found on these trips abroad.” the statement read further.
The ADC also noted Tinubu’s alleged disappearance from public view which according to the coalition opposition party raised speculations of the President being sick.
While the speculations were dismissed by the Presidency, the ADC maintained that frequent disappearance of the President will keep raising such speculations and rumours.
“It is important to note that since August 1, 2025, the President had disappeared from public view for more than a week. This had sparked widespread rumours that the President was sick.
“Fortunately, the presidency issued a statement, assuring the nation that the President is as fit as a fiddle. But this is not enough.
“Rumour of a sick president, or even mere conversations that could raise doubts about the state of the President’s health are potentially damaging to the economy, could discourage potential investors, further embolden our enemies.
“Therefore, it is not good enough to say the President was working hard from home or from any secret hideouts.
“Whenever a president drops out of sight without an explanation, it gives rise to all kinds of damaging rumours. And a one-day cameo appearance that looked stage-managed.” The ADC added.
