Atiku: No good father heads for airport when his house is on fire

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticized President Bola Tinubu for departing for an overseas trip while Nigeria grapples with a multitude of crises. The current trip, a three-week vacation in Europe, is part of Tinubu's annual leave. Sunday Dare, a presidential aide, claimed the trip is well-deserved, as the president has worked hard and requires rest.

Atiku, a presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), disagreed with the timing of the journey. "Nigeria may not be facing a constitutional vacuum today, but there is a disturbing vacuum of political leadership", Atiku stated. He highlighted the hardships faced by millions of Nigerians, including high petrol prices, food shortages, and insecurity.

Atiku emphasized that the president's travel decision is even more perplexing, given that Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who is currently attending an African Union meeting in Angola, is on official duty abroad. Atiku argued that leadership involves knowing when to attend to one's country's needs, especially during times of crisis.

He pointed out that a father would not abandon his burning home and family to travel abroad. Atiku concluded by stating that while a president does not have to forego rest or travel, Nigeria is burning, and the president is choosing a boarding pass over the fire extinguisher. He acknowledged that millions of Nigerians are being adversely affected by hardship, while their leader continues to fly.