Former Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his ongoing visit to Saint Lucia, questioning the decision to spend eight nights in the Caribbean nation while allegedly neglecting states within Nigeria.
Speaking during an X Space interactive session, Obi said President Tinubu, since assuming office in 2023, has not spent a night in any Nigerian state aside from Lagos.
“In two years, Tinubu has not spent one night in any state in Nigeria apart from Lagos, yet he is going to spend eight nights in St Lucia, a place smaller than Ajegunle,” he said.
Obi noted that Saint Lucia is comparable in size to Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, which he described as the 10th largest city in Nigeria.
The latest comment comes a day after the former Anambra governor initially criticised the trip as coming at a time of serious domestic challenges, including flooding in parts of Niger State that has reportedly claimed over 200 lives and left many missing.
He accused the president of prioritising international travel over urgent issues affecting Nigerians at home.
Daily Trust reports that the presidency has dismissed Obi’s earlier remarks as baseless and politically motivated.
Fredrick Nwabufo, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Engagement, described the comments as empty rhetoric aimed at distorting public understanding.
He explained that Tinubu’s visit to Saint Lucia forms part of a broader foreign policy strategy to deepen Nigeria’s ties with the Caribbean.
According to Nwabufo, Saint Lucia is the headquarters of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, making it a critical hub for Nigeria’s diplomatic and economic outreach in the region.
He said the president’s engagements abroad are strategic moves to enhance Nigeria’s influence and partnerships globally.
Nwabufo added that the visit reflects the administration’s commitment to purposeful international engagement and its efforts to reposition Nigeria on the global stage.
He urged opposition figures to avoid trivialising matters of national interest for political gain, especially during sensitive moments.
“The president’s visit is not a leisure trip but a move to expand Nigeria’s presence and leadership in global affairs,” he said.
