The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday dismissed claims that President Bola Tinubu is missing or absent from his official duties, insisting that the President remains actively engaged in governance.
The party’s response followed comments attributed to Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, who questioned the President’s visibility amid Nigeria’s current challenges.
In a statement signed by its Lagos State Spokesman, Mr. Seye Oladejo, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, the APC said President Tinubu has continued to discharge his responsibilities both within and outside the country.
Oladejo urged political actors to focus on substantive national issues rather than what he described as political optics.
“The President is neither missing nor absent from his constitutional responsibilities. He remains actively involved in the complex and demanding work of statecraft, including policy coordination, security oversight, diplomatic engagements, and economic reforms,” he said.
According to him, governance should not be measured by constant public appearances or media engagements but by the quality of decisions taken and the outcomes achieved in the national interest.
“Governance is assessed by the policies implemented and the results delivered, not by media check-ins,” Oladejo added.
He maintained that President Tinubu has continued to lead with focus and resolve, guided by the constitutional mandate entrusted to him by Nigerians.
“His schedule and engagements are driven by national priorities, not by the need to satisfy political commentary,” he said.
Oladejo further stated that the Tinubu administration remains active on several fronts, including economic reforms, security coordination, and international diplomacy, all aimed at repositioning Nigeria for sustainable growth and enhanced global relevance.
He advised political leaders to contribute constructively by offering ideas and solutions that would promote national development, rather than making statements that could generate unnecessary public anxiety.
Meanwhile, the News Agency of Nigeria reports that Obi, a former Anambra State governor, had questioned President Tinubu’s whereabouts amid what he described as deepening economic hardship, insecurity, and leadership silence.
In a statement posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, Obi said his concerns were driven by the scale of challenges confronting the country and the perceived lack of direct presidential engagement at a critical time.
He alleged that President Tinubu spent 196 days outside the country in 2025, claiming this exceeded the time he spent within Nigeria during the same period. Obi also stated that Nigerians had not heard directly from the President since December 2025.
President Tinubu had departed Lagos on December 28 for Europe as part of his end-of-year break and in preparation for an official visit to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The President was invited by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to participate in the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026). He arrived in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, ahead of the event, which commenced on Monday.
