The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has insisted that President Bola Tinubu is neither missing nor absent from his official responsibilities, pushing back against concerns raised by Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, about the president’s visibility.
In a statement signed by its spokesman, Mr Seye Oladejo, and made available to journalists in Lagos on Tuesday, January 13, the party said Tinubu remains actively involved in governing, whether in Nigeria or outside the country.
Oladejo urged political actors to focus on “issues of substance rather than optics,” stressing that the president is not missing and has not abandoned his constitutional duties.
“He is actively involved in the complex and demanding work of statecraft, which includes policy coordination, security oversight, diplomatic engagements, and economic reforms.
“Governance is not measured by constant public appearances or media check-ins. It is assessed by the quality of decisions taken, the policies implemented, and the outcomes delivered in the national interest.”
Oladejo also said Tinubu has continued to operate with “focus and resolve,” guided by his mandate from Nigerians.
“His schedule and engagements are driven by national priorities, not by the need to satisfy political commentary,” he said.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Arrives Abu Dhabi for Global Sustainability Summit
According to the Lagos APC, the administration is still active on several fronts, including economic reforms, security coordination and international diplomacy, which it said are targeted at repositioning the country for long-term growth and global relevance.
Oladejo advised political leaders to engage more constructively by offering solutions and alternatives, rather than raising concerns that could heighten public anxiety.
First Daily reports that Obi had questioned the whereabouts of Tinubu amid what he described as deepening economic hardship, insecurity, and leadership silence.
In a statement posted on his verified X account on Monday, the former Anambra State governor said his concern was driven by the scale of challenges confronting the country and the perceived absence of direct presidential engagement at a critical time.
He alleged that Tinubu spent 196 days outside the country in 2025, adding that this exceeded the time he spent within Nigeria during the same period. He also claimed that Nigerians had not heard directly from the President since December 2025.
It would be recalled that Tinubu, on Dec. 28, departed Lagos for Europe to continue his end-of-year break and in preparation for an official visit to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.
The president was invited by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to participate in the 2026 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026).
Tinubu on Sunday arrived in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, to attend the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, which began on Monday.