The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed claims that President Bola Tinubu is missing or absent from governance, insisting that the President remains fully engaged in the affairs of the nation.
The ruling party’s reaction followed comments credited to the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, who questioned the visibility and whereabouts of the President amid Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, January 13, and made available to newsmen in Lagos, the APC, through its Lagos State Spokesman, Seye Oladejo, said President Tinubu was neither missing nor neglecting his constitutional responsibilities.
According to Oladejo, the President remains deeply involved in the complex business of governance, both at home and abroad.
“The President is not missing, nor is he absent from his constitutional responsibilities,” Oladejo stated.
He explained that governance should not be reduced to constant media visibility or public appearances.
“He is actively involved in the complex and demanding work of statecraft, which includes policy coordination, security oversight, diplomatic engagements and economic reforms,” he said.
Oladejo added, “Governance is not measured by constant public appearances or media check-ins. It is assessed by the quality of decisions taken, the policies implemented and the outcomes delivered in the national interest.”
Tinubu Focused on National Priorities
The APC spokesman further stressed that President Tinubu has continued to discharge his duties with commitment and resolve, guided strictly by the mandate given to him by Nigerians.
“His schedule and engagements are driven by national priorities, not by the need to satisfy political commentary,” Oladejo said.
He noted that the administration has remained active across key sectors, including economic reforms, security coordination and international diplomacy, all aimed at repositioning Nigeria for sustainable growth and enhanced global relevance.
Oladejo urged political leaders and opposition figures to engage more constructively by offering solutions and alternatives that would advance national development.
He warned that unnecessary speculation about the President’s whereabouts could fuel public anxiety at a critical time.
“Political actors should focus on issues of substance rather than optics,” he advised.
Naijaonpoint reports that Peter Obi had questioned President Tinubu’s whereabouts amid what he described as worsening economic hardship, insecurity and leadership silence.
In a post on his verified 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, Obi said his concerns were driven by the magnitude of the challenges facing the country and what he perceived as the absence of direct presidential engagement.
He alleged that President Tinubu spent 196 days outside Nigeria in 2025, claiming that the figure exceeded the number of days the President spent within the country during the same period.
Obi also claimed that Nigerians had not heard directly from the President since December 2025.
Naijaonpoint recalls that President Tinubu departed Lagos on December 28 for Europe as part of his end-of-year break and in preparation for an official visit to the United Arab Emirates.
The President was invited by the UAE President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to participate in the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
Tinubu arrived in Abu Dhabi on Sunday and is attending the event, which commenced on Monday, underscoring his continued engagement in international diplomacy and global sustainability discussions.