Dare Babalola
The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday said President Bola Tinubu was neither missing nor absent from his duties.
The party was responding to comments credited to a former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who questioned the president’s visibility.
In a statement by Spokesman Seye Oladejo, APC Lagos said President Tinubu is “fully engaged in governance” locally and abroad, urging political actors to focus on issues of substance rather than optics.
Oladejo wrote, “He is actively involved in the complex and demanding work of statecraft, which includes policy coordination, security oversight, diplomatic engagements, and economic reforms.
“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.”
He also said that Tinubu had continued to discharge his duties with focus and resolve, guided by the constitutional mandate given to him by Nigerians.
“His schedule and engagements are driven by national priorities, not by the need to satisfy political commentary,” he said.
Oladejo added that the Tinubu administration had remained active on several fronts, including economic reforms, security coordination, and international diplomacy.
He noted that these efforts were aimed at repositioning Nigeria for sustainable growth and global relevance.
He advised political leaders to engage constructively by offering ideas and alternatives that would contribute to national development, rather than raising questions that could create unnecessary public anxiety.
Recall that Obi, also a former Anambra governor, had questioned the whereabouts of Tinubu amid what he described as deepening economic hardship, insecurity, and leadership silence.
In a statement posted on his verified X account on Monday, Obi said his concern was driven by the scale of challenges confronting the country and the perceived absence of direct presidential engagement at a critical time.
He alleged that Tinubu spent 196 days outside the country in 2025, adding that this exceeded the time he spent within Nigeria during the same period.
He also claimed that Nigerians had not heard directly from the President since December 2025.
