Obi Advocates for Domestic Vacations for Nigerian Presidents

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general elections, condemned the practice of Nigerian presidents taking vacations abroad during an exclusive interview on Arise Television on Thursday. He asserted that a sitting president should spend vacation time engaging with citizens and addressing local challenges, particularly in states like Zamfara and Borno.

Obi stated, “Nigeria’s President must spend his vacation in Nigeria,” emphasizing that he would not take holidays outside the country if elected. He dismissed concerns about security risks in insurgency-affected areas, insisting that the president must remain in Nigeria.

Obi criticized President Bola Tinubu for not spending enough time with local communities, claiming that the current leader has not slept three nights anywhere in Nigeria. He argued that presidential visits to troubled areas like Jos and Benue have been too brief and called for more extended engagements to understand the root causes of crises.