The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly criticized Peter Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate, for his recent comments questioning the whereabouts of President Bola Tinubu. The APC spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, described Obi as an “analogue presidential aspirant” who struggles to comprehend modern governance. Obi’s question, “Where’s the President?”, was labeled a “theatrical outburst” driven by an obsession with appearances rather than a genuine understanding of statecraft. The APC maintains that President Tinubu is actively engaged in governance, focusing on policy coordination, security, diplomacy, and economic reforms, countering Obi’s claims.
Governance, according to the APC, is not about social media check-ins or constant photo opportunities. Leadership is defined by tangible outcomes, not by how frequently a leader is visible in public spaces. The party asserted that Nigerians judge leadership by results, a concept they believe Obi has a limited appreciation for. This criticism comes as Obi questioned Tinubu’s visibility amidst rising poverty, hunger, and insecurity in Nigeria.
Featured snippet paragraph: The answer to “Where’s the President?” is that President Bola Tinubu is actively engaged in governance, focusing on policy coordination, security management, diplomacy, and economic reforms. The APC states that leadership is defined by outcomes, not constant public visibility or social media check-ins.
The APC highlighted the Tinubu administration’s tangible actions, including economic reforms, strategic security engagements, and increased diplomatic outreach, all aimed at repositioning Nigeria globally. The party emphasized that the President’s schedule is dictated by national interest, not by the demands of political opponents who confuse noise with substance. This response directly addresses the concerns raised by Obi regarding the President’s absence and the nation’s pressing issues.
Seye Oladejo, the APC spokesman, questioned whether Obi’s fixation on visibility stems from his own “limited appreciation of executive responsibility.” He reiterated that Nigerians evaluate leadership based on achievements and not on how often a leader appears in public. The statement underscored that President Tinubu remains fully in charge, both constitutionally and operationally, guiding the nation with focus and resolve.
Furthermore, the Lagos APC advised Obi to “upgrade his political firmware,” suggesting that Nigeria has advanced beyond “analogue politics” characterized by grandstanding and hollow soundbites. The party believes the country deserves and has a president who works purposefully, even if quietly, rather than one who seeks constant public applause. This metaphor implies Obi’s political approach is outdated.
Peter Obi had previously expressed concerns about Nigeria’s worsening poverty, hunger, and insecurity, calling for greater presidential visibility and direct engagement during national crises. He cited statistics on extreme poverty and youth unemployment, questioning Tinubu’s extensive time spent abroad in 2025 and his lack of public communication since December of the same year.
Obi pointed out that reports indicated the President opted for a holiday in Europe while the nation faced a New Year marked by hunger and uncertainty. He lamented the absence of a New Year address or national broadcast, which he felt deprived Nigerians of reassurance and guidance from their leader during a critical period.
In a separate but related development, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, met with the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, to discuss easing visa bottlenecks and boosting business ties. This meeting highlighted the strong historical and cultural ties between Nigeria and Turkey, serving as a foundation for enhanced collaboration.
Ambassador Poroy noted recent improvements in visa facilitation for Nigerian businesspeople traveling to Turkey, following cooperation between Turkish authorities and Nigeria’s Ministry of Interior. Verified Nigerian businesspersons now benefit from faster visa processing times, typically three to four days, with applications processed locally.
However, the Turkish envoy raised concerns regarding challenges faced by Turkish businesspeople wishing to visit Nigeria for trade fairs and investments. Conflicting information on Nigerian visa arrangements for Turkish citizens has caused confusion, prompting a request for written clarification to guide applicants effectively. A key request was the inclusion of Turkey in Nigeria’s electronic visa (e-visa) system.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo assured that denying visas to genuine businesspeople from either country is not in the best interest of Nigeria or Turkey. He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to transparency, dialogue, and continuous improvement in visa administration, emphasizing Nigeria’s openness to legitimate investors and international business partners. The discussion also touched upon the recognition of Nigerian marriage certificates by foreign missions, with the minister clarifying their constitutional validity.
The APC’s strong reaction to Peter Obi’s comments underscores the ongoing political discourse surrounding presidential visibility and governance effectiveness in Nigeria. The party’s emphasis on outcomes over optics reflects a strategic defense of President Tinubu’s approach to leadership, contrasting it with what they perceive as Obi’s less effective, more performative style. The inclusion of the Nigeria-Turkey visa discussion provides a secondary, yet relevant, topic of international engagement and bilateral relations.
