…Chronicles His Absence In Nigeria After End Of Supposedly Functions Abroad.
Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), has come down heavily on President Bola Tinubu asking him tell Nigerians, where he has been, five days after the BRICS conference in Brazil ended just as it chronicled his absence in his country after end of supposedly functions abroad.
Truth Live News Media reports that BRICS is a group formed by eleven countries: Brasil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran.
It serves as a political and diplomatic coordination forum for countries from the Global South and for coordination in the most diverse areas.
ADC, in a statement by its interim spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, accused President Tinubu of disappearing after the BRICS summit ended on July 7.
President Tinubu arrived in Abuja yesterday from a 15-day diplomatic tour to Saint Lucia and Brazil.
His trip began on June 28 with a state visit to Saint Lucia, aimed at deepening Nigeria’s engagement with Caribbean nations and strengthening South-South cooperation.
He was received at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport by key government officials, including Minister for Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu; Minister of Defence, Bello Matawalle; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Senator Aliyu Wamakko and APC chieftain, Ibrahim Masari.
During the visit, Tinubu addressed a special joint session of Saint Lucia’s parliament and was honoured with the title of Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia (KCOSL), the country’s highest accolade.
From Saint Lucia, the President proceeded to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to participate in the 17th BRICS Summit held from July 6 to 7, marking Nigeria’s debut as a BRICS partner country. At the summit, he called for a comprehensive overhaul of global governance, financial systems and healthcare frameworks to promote fairness and inclusion for low-income and emerging economies, particularly in Africa.
He emphasised sustainable technology transfer, accessible financing and equitable participation in global development initiatives. Tinubu also highlighted Africa’s environmental challenges, citing regional efforts like the African Carbon Market Initiative and the Great Green Wall, while urging broader international cooperation on climate action.
Nigeria’s elevation to partner country status within BRICS reflects its growing strategic importance on the global stage. Tinubu’s participation underscored Nigeria’s commitment to advancing South-South cooperation and championing issues, such as financial restructuring, debt forgiveness and inclusive climate policies.
Since assuming office in May 2023, Tinubu has embarked on over 40 foreign trips, engaging with countries across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean and Asia to strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic and economic ties.
According to ADC, after the conference, other world leaders returned to their countries to brief their citizens, while the Nigerian leader only returned yesterday.
“A whole five days is significant in the life of a country, especially a country like ours battling with several existential challenges of insecurity and a tottering economy that has made life increasingly difficult for the majority of Nigerians. The President was not on holiday, he was on official duty. We, therefore, cannot wish those five days away and we demand a clear explanation for them.
“The ADC also notes with concern that this disdain for accountability around the President’s overseas trip has become a distinct hallmark of this administration.”
The ADC recalled that in January 2024, a so-called ‘private visit’ to France turned into a two-week disappearance. “No photos, and no statements from our President.
“In April 2024, President Tinubu travelled to the Netherlands, and then to Riyadh, for the World Economic Forum. The summit ended on April 29, 2024, but there was not a word from him until May 8, 2024. Those were nine days of unexplained vacuum.
“In August 2024, President Tinubu flew to China via Dubai. After his engagements in Beijing, he vanished from public view on September 5, and mysteriously surfaced in London on September 11. He was missing for six days, no explanations, no letter transmitted to the National Assembly, just silence.
“And in the same August 2024, the President also embarked on yet another ‘brief work stay’ in Paris. He remained incommunicado for three days, then quietly returned, as if the nation did not deserve to know.”
The party argued that “each episode of Mr. President’s mysterious disappearances has sparked all manners of speculations and rumours that are not only unhealthy to the polity, but also endangers Nigeria’s perception in the eyes of the world.
“We urge Nigerians to take note. A president that disappears without explanation cannot be trusted to be present to solve the crises that we face. A President that vanishes without accountability has no moral authority to demand sacrifice from citizens. Most importantly, a ruling party that makes excuses for these serial disappearances has nothing but contempt for the people it governs and has no regard for accountability.”