The public outpouring generated by President Bola Tinubu’s last visit to France would have been needless and perhaps avoidable, had the president correctly communicated what the travel was all about to Nigerians. Neither the president nor his handlers did the right thing by making a secret of the trip. As president, Tinubu and his crew should appreciate that he has very little private life, particularly when he steps out of his office or official residence. It is normal for Nigerians to be curious and to ask questions, more so because the trip to France was President Tinubu’s fifth in less than two years; and since it was sponsored by public fund, Nigerians have a right to wonder what exactly the trip had as benefits for them. Besides, the duration of the president’s visit , about 19 days, was unduly long for a state visit, most of which hardly last beyond one or two days.

To crown it all, while the president was away, the country boiled with armed insurgents unlashing death, arson and debilitating injuries on hapless Nigerians in Plateau and Benue States in particular, and many other states in general. To stay in France while Nigeria went through such horrible experiences caused by terrorists has unfortunately forced a perception of the president and his administration as caring less to the avoidable loss of lives and the pains of the victims’ families. That perception is fuelled by the fact that public institutions, including that of security are weak, and constantly require the president’s direct intervention to work.

President Tinubu left this country on April 2, 2025 for what the presidency described as a two-week working visit to Paris in France. The explanation given for the trip by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga was that during Tinubu’s stay in France, he would appraise his administration’s mid-term performance and assess key milestones.

While Tinubu was in France, the bad security situation in Nigeria worsened with reports of heightened violent attack and killing of innocent citizens in different communities, particularly in Plateau and Benue states.

On April 2, not less than 40 people were killed and more than 100 others displaced in a brutal attack on Hurti, Josho, Daffo and other communities in Manguna District of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State. The head of the Hurti community, Mr. Marren Aradong further said that the attackers burnt 383 houses, destroyed foodstuffs and looted other items. Despite the deployment of police operatives and assets in the affected communities, the assailants were not deterred as they also ferociously attacked the Zike community, Kimakpa, Kwali District of Bassa Local Government Area, killing 51 persons. Twenty four hours earlier, a similar attack on Otobi Akpa community in Benue left at least 13 people dead, with others injured or missing. At least 50 houses were destroyed.

It was expected that with the spiraling insecurity in his country, President Tinubu would consider cutting short his trip and return to Nigeria to commiserate with families of the victims and take drastic action against the murderers, but it did not happen.

Besides, how tenable is the explanation by Onanuga for Tinubu’s trip, which indicates that it was not a state visit but for assessment of the president’s performance in office. Is the presidency saying that the assessment cannot be done within Nigeria? It is not a normal practice for the president to go to another country without being on a state visit or for other patently crucial purposes. It is a waste of resources in a country struggling for economic stability. The cost of every unnecessary trip is being borne by Nigeria.

The state house had to issue another statement following public outcry on the whereabouts of the president, stating that: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains fully engaged in Nigeria’s governance even though he is away in Europe. His absence remains temporary and in line with the communicated timeframe of approximately two weeks.  

“The President left Paris for London at the weekend and has maintained constant communication with key government officials, overseeing critical national matters, including directives to security chiefs to address emerging threats in some parts of the country. His return to Abuja and the resumption of duties at Aso Villa will follow the conclusion of the Easter holiday. “ 

The presidency was to reiterate that President Tinubu used the retreat to review the progress of ongoing reforms and engage in strategic planning ahead of his administration’s second anniversary.

Many Nigerians believe that the real purpose of Tinubu’s trip to France is still shrouded in secrecy. The people feel disrespected that the president they voted into power, who promised to make a difference, is towing the condemned path of past administrations and is not leveling with the people. A situation that portrays him as a leader who has some things to hide from the people he governs will wane their belief in his renewed hope agenda. The president’s action also leaves room for speculations that can negatively affect the fabric of the society. Among the speculations is that the trip to France has to do with his health, that he has medical condition which he did not want Nigerians to know about. It is also being speculated that Tinubu went to France for his personal business deals.

But the president is first and foremost a human being, and therefore susceptible to illness. Nigerians would have appreciated his health condition if this was disclosed rather than hidden. His predecessor, General Muhammadu Buhari spent quite some time in Europe on medical grounds, and Nigerians understood because his illness was made public. Even during military regime, Gen Ibrahim Babangida travelled abroad to treat radiculopathy affecting his limbs.

Indeed, it is troubling that President Tinubu is assessing the performance of his administration in far away France while terrorists are having a field day perpetrating massacre and taking over local government areas in the northern states.

President Tinubu must wake up to the task of providing the kind of leadership that Nigerians desire and which can actually rekindle their hope in their country. In particular, he needs to carry Nigerians along in his foreign movement to France and other places, else he gives room for speculation which does his government no good. He should patently act as the father of the nation and shun attitude and actions that constitute disrespect to Nigerians.