Atiku Abubakar, former presidential flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has slammed President Bola Tinubu for neglecting Nigeria during a time of deepening national crisis, urging him to “declare a state of emergency on his own presidency.”
In a statement issued by his spokesman, Paul Ibe, Atiku expressed concern over the worsening insecurity across Nigeria, highlighting the killings in Plateau State and the violence in Benue, while the president remains abroad.
“Nigeria is in a full-blown state of emergency,” the statement read. “President Tinubu left for France on April 2, 2025.
“Had this announcement come a day earlier, it would have been dismissed as an April Fool’s joke. But no—it’s yet another blow to Nigerians enduring a presidency that treats them with disdain.”
Atiku questioned the rationale behind Tinubu’s foreign trip, branding the “working visit” as a veiled holiday.
“The presidency rushed to say it wasn’t a medical trip. Even so, how does a leader gallivant across Europe while his country is in free fall? A leader who borrows heavily only to splurge on frivolous overseas trips is showing contempt for his people.”
He disclosed that Tinubu will have spent nearly two months in France since taking office. “It’s not ‘See Paris and die,’ it’s ‘See Paris and desert your nation,’” the statement mocked.
While Tinubu enjoys the comforts of France, Atiku lamented that Nigeria is facing serious threats. “Plateau is under siege with over 100 people killed. Benue is drowning in blood. Boko Haram is taking over territories again. And Nigerians are sinking into poverty and fear each day.”
Describing Tinubu’s absence as a monumental failure in leadership, Atiku declared, “This goes beyond irresponsibility—it’s catastrophic negligence.
“If Tinubu had any empathy, he would have returned home immediately. A true leader doesn’t wait to be begged to act during national crises.”
“There is no task President Tinubu is doing in France that he couldn’t accomplish in Lagos or his hometown, Iragbiji,” the statement continued. “The so-called working visit is simply a vacation under official disguise.”
Atiku concluded by asserting that Tinubu should turn his gaze inward: “The real state of emergency isn’t in Rivers State as Tinubu has declared for political reasons, it’s in his own presidency. The collapse is here and it’s national.”