Human rights lawyer and activist Professor Chidi Odinkalu has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing stay in France, arguing that the President’s absence from Nigeria comes at a time when the country is facing serious security and governance challenges.
Odinkalu made the comments while reacting to Tinubu’s decision to spend part of his annual leave in Europe.
The Presidency has described Tinubu’s trip as a three-week working vacation and said the President would continue to handle official engagements during the period.
In his reaction, Odinkalu compared the President’s overseas stay with the phenomenon popularly described as “japa”, a term commonly used to describe Nigerians leaving the country in search of better opportunities abroad.
He questioned the rationale behind the President spending an extended period outside Nigeria while several parts of the country continue to face security challenges.
Odinkalu also described Nigeria as an “ungoverned territory”, arguing that the country’s leadership should remain closely engaged with developments at home.
His comments come amid renewed debate over the President’s international engagements and absence from Nigeria.
The Presidency has maintained that Tinubu’s European trip is part of his annual leave and has characterised it as a working vacation rather than a complete withdrawal from official duties.
During his stay in France, the President has reportedly held meetings and engagements involving international relations and investment.
Odinkalu’s remarks also come against the backdrop of continuing security concerns in parts of Nigeria. Recent reports have highlighted ongoing challenges involving kidnappings and insecurity, including protests by residents in Niger State over the continued captivity of hundreds of people abducted in August.
The human rights lawyer’s comments have therefore added to public debate over how much time a Nigerian president should spend abroad while major domestic issues require government attention.
While Odinkalu has criticised the President’s absence, the administration maintains that Tinubu’s trip is a working vacation during which official responsibilities continue to be handled.
