Peter Obi Slams President Tinubu Over Brazil and Caribbean Trip, Calls It Insensitive

DDM News

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has fiercely criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent trip to the Caribbean and Brazil, describing it as grossly insensitive and poorly timed.

In a public statement titled “No, Mr President, this is not the Time for Holidaying”, Obi expressed dismay at what he views as a shocking display of government negligence amid Nigeria’s worsening humanitarian crisis.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that Obi issued the statement via his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Saturday, calling on Nigerians to critically assess the priorities of the current administration.

President Tinubu, according to an earlier press release from the presidency, is visiting Saint Lucia for what was described as a mix of official engagements and private leisure, before proceeding to Brazil for the upcoming BRICS Summit scheduled for July 6–7, 2025.

Obi, however, questioned the logic behind embarking on a leisure-inclusive trip while Nigerians continue to suffer from escalating poverty, insecurity, and natural disasters.

He cited Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre of Saint Lucia, who had publicly disclosed that Tinubu’s visit would span several days, with only June 30 and July 1 marked for official duties, leaving the rest of the stay for vacation.

“I couldn’t believe that the President of a country in such dire condition could contemplate a leisure trip at this time,” Obi lamented.

He described the trip as a blatant show of “misplaced priorities and elite satisfaction” at a time when Nigerians are grappling with unprecedented hunger, economic collapse, and insecurity.

Obi noted that over the past two years, more Nigerians have died due to insecurity and criminal activities than in countries officially at war.

He also condemned Tinubu for failing to visit Minna, Niger State, where recent devastating floods claimed more than 200 lives and left over 700 missing.

“Which kind of disaster will move this President to show up in person and console the victims?” Obi asked, suggesting the president had shown greater commitment to foreign engagements than to the plight of Nigerian citizens.

He also recalled the President’s previous visit to Makurdi, Benue State, after public outrage, describing it as a “political jamboree” rather than a show of empathy, especially as children were allegedly forced to line the streets in welcome.

Comparing geographical and demographic statistics, Obi emphasized that Nigerian cities like Makurdi and Minna are far larger and more populated than Saint Lucia.

“Makurdi, with a landmass of 937.4 square kilometers, is significantly bigger than Saint Lucia’s 617 km²,” Obi stated, adding that Minna’s landmass of 6,789 km² is over ten times the size of the Caribbean island.

In terms of population, Saint Lucia’s estimated 180,000 residents fall well below Makurdi’s 489,839 and Minna’s 532,000—further questioning the president’s decision to prioritize such a destination amid national turmoil.

Obi denounced what he called the regime’s habitual prioritization of elite comfort and political preservation over the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.

“This government is more focused on 2027 elections and pleasing the wealthy, while the masses suffer silently,” he said.

He stressed that those in power should be using every available moment to tackle Nigeria’s many challenges, not indulging in leisure travel.

Calling for urgent redirection, Obi reminded the federal government that the nation’s resources belong to every Nigerian and not just the privileged few.

“The time has come to stop this drift before it consumes us all,” he warned.

Obi’s statement has sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians echoing his concerns about government insensitivity, poor leadership, and the urgent need for empathy-driven governance.

As the nation continues to grapple with rising inflation, insecurity, and loss of life due to natural disasters, observers say the president’s actions could deepen public mistrust and further alienate the struggling masses.

Follow our Whatsapp channel 

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook