₦airaland Forum

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to embark on a personal vacation abroad, reportedly to Saint Lucia on June 28, 2025, while Nigeria drowns in a sea of hardship, insecurity, and despair, is not just tone-deaf—it’s a grotesque betrayal of the Nigerian people. As the nation grapples with escalating violence, economic collapse, and widespread suffering, Tinubu’s choice to jet off for a Caribbean holiday exposes a leader utterly detached from the anguish of his citizens. This is not leadership; it is abandonment, a flagrant display of privilege that spits in the face of a nation crying out for solutions.

The audacity of Tinubu’s getaway is magnified by his failure to visit ravaged communities in Benue State, where Fulani militias and bandits have unleashed unimaginable horrors, massacring over 200 people in Yelwata between June 13 and 14, 2025. While families mourned, homes burned, and survivors begged for protection, Tinubu couldn’t muster the empathy or urgency to set foot in these blood-soaked regions, citing bad weather and poor roads as excuses. Yet, miraculously, the skies cleared and logistics aligned for him to board a plane for a lavish retreat. This stark contrast lays bare his priorities: personal comfort over national crisis, self-indulgence over solidarity with the suffering.

Tinubu’s administration has presided over a security nightmare, with over 10,000 lives lost to violence in central and northern Nigeria since he took office. Bandits slaughter soldiers in Niger, terrorists rampage unchecked, and entire communities live in fear, yet the president who once demanded accountability from his predecessor for far less now offers hollow press statements and recycled promises. His claim of improved security is a cruel fantasy, contradicted by the bodies piling up and the cries of the displaced. If Tinubu cannot face the carnage in Benue or confront the complicity of security operatives rumored to collude with bandits, as alleged by voices like the Anglican Bishop of Enugu, then he lacks the moral authority to lead.

Worse still, Tinubu’s holiday is funded by taxpayers’ money—money wrung from a populace crushed by his own economic policies. The removal of fuel subsidies and currency devaluations have sparked a cost-of-living crisis, with inflation soaring past 23% and poverty deepening, particularly in the north. While Nigerians scavenge for survival, Tinubu and his entourage squander public funds on opulent trips, with his wife, Remi Tinubu, lamenting her office’s lack of direct funding while simultaneously living lavishly. This is not just insensitivity; it’s a deliberate weaponization of privilege, as former Minister Solomon Dalung aptly described, accusing Tinubu of drawing a battle line with the masses through hunger and hardship.

The president’s defenders might argue he deserves a break, that governance is complex, or that his tax reforms signal progress. But these are hollow excuses when the nation burns. His reforms, watered down by political resistance, have yet to deliver tangible relief, and his boasts of a “silent transformation” ring false against the backdrop of bloodshed and despair. A leader who cannot prioritize the security and welfare of his people over personal leisure has forfeited his mandate. Nigerians are not pawns to be placated with promises of a better tomorrow while their today is steeped in misery.

Tinubu’s absence during this crisis is not a mere misstep; it is a moral and political failure that demands accountability. If Nigeria is too hard for him to govern, as it appears, he should resign. The presidency is not a throne for self-aggrandizement but a call to serve. Nigerians are exhausted by leaders who treat governance as a personal fiefdom, and Tinubu’s actions—fleeing to a Caribbean paradise while his people perish—prove he is unfit to steer the nation through its darkest hour. Let someone capable, someone with the courage to face the bloodshed in Benue and the hunger in every corner of Nigeria, take the helm. The Nigerian people deserve better than a president who vacations while they mourn.

FreeThinker from Pluto

Wailers be wailing. It is not I die for Nigeria my country

FreeThinkerPlut:
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to embark on a personal vacation

FreeThinker from Pluto

gabbytabby:
Wailers be wailing. It is not I die for Nigeria my country

Yes o like freethinkerplut, which kind extended wailing be this kind post from the man from Pluto?

President Tinubu go St Lucia? Ok we done hear u, make presidon dey Nigeria permanently with u & Obi abi?

If e no travel, u will wail that it is because of fear he is afraid to leave Nigeria, if e travel u go complain say why e travel?

He is damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t? Atikulated Obidients please go find another story.

favor914:
Yes o like freethinkerplut, which kind extended wailing be this kind post from the man from Pluto?

President Tinubu go St Lucia? Ok we done hear u, make presidon dey Nigeria permanently with u & Obi abi?

If e no travel, u will wail that it is because of fear he is afraid to leave Nigeria, if e travel u go complain say why e travel?

He is damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t? Atikulated Obidients please go find another story.

So in today’s Nigeria, asking for accountability means you must be “Obidient” or “Atikulated”? 😂 Imagine thinking patriotism now comes with party membership. By that logic, if my roof is leaking and I complain, I am secretly the landlord’s enemy. Bravo. Keep defending nonsense!

FreeThinker from Pluto

I agree
he has somehow managed to dress it up as linked to attending BRICs summit.

Nigeria is not even a member of BRICS but this is a plausible excuse even thought I don't buy it

He needs to pay attention to how things look and this does not look right at this time

St Lucia is the same size as Owerri and it seems the visit is for personal interest

aribisala0:
I agree
he has somehow managed to dress it up as linked to attending BRICs summit.

Nigeria is not even a member of BRICS but this is a plausible excuse even thought I don't buy it

He needs to pay attention to how things look and this does not look right at this time

St Lucia is the same size as Owerri and it seems the visit is for personal interest

Your spot-on—the optics of Tinubu’s Saint Lucia trip are abysmal, especially with Nigeria in crisis. Linking it to the BRICS Summit feels like a flimsy excuse, as Nigeria’s only a partner country, and the week-long stay, with confirmed personal leisure time, reeks of self-interest. The Chagoury connection doesn’t help. It’s not just about how it looks; it’s about prioritizing luxury over a suffering nation. The visit’s diplomatic goals don’t justify the timing or taxpayer cost when places like Benue are bleeding. Tinubu needs to focus on Nigeria or step aside.

FreeThinker from Pluto

gabbytabby:
Wailers be wailing. It is not I die for Nigeria my country

I got curious after reading your response, so I checked your profile—now everything makes perfect sense. No further questions. Good luck!

FreeThinker from Pluto

FreeThinkerPlut:
I got curious after reading your response, so I checked your profile—now everything makes perfect sense. No further questions. Good luck!

FreeThinker from Pluto

Why do you disturb Tinubu? The guy told you he was going to grab it, snatch it and run away with it. He has grabbed and snatched and you do not want him to run away? Haba na...

favor914:
Yes o like freethinkerplut, which kind extended wailing be this kind post from the man from Pluto?

President Tinubu go St Lucia? Ok we done hear u, make presidon dey Nigeria permanently with u & Obi abi?

If e no travel, u will wail that it is because of fear he is afraid to leave Nigeria, if e travel u go complain say why e travel?

He is damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t? Atikulated Obidients please go find another story.

This is how you lots hounded Jonathan and relentlessly tormented even his private life up to how he sleeps with his wife because of politics. See how tables turn?

Some people will cry cardiac and psycho disorder on matters they can’t do anything about,if una like make una die,baba don go Saint Lucia.

Just testing

Some people will cry cardiac and psycho disorder on matters they can’t do anything about,if una like make una die, baba don go Saint Lucia.

Wondering why some people would waste their time to write long epistle on information they don't have the accurate details about.

President Tinubu is on working visit not on holiday or vacation. It's annoying for you people to always be arguing blindly on an incorrect information

FreeThinkerPlut:
https://www.thecable.ng/tinubu-to-embark-on-weeklong-official-visit-vacation-in-saint-lucia-from-june-28/

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2025/06/18/tinubu-goes-on-one-week-official-visit-vacation-to-saint-lucia-caribbean-june-28/

https://www.akelicious.net/tinubu-to-begin-one-week-official-visit-and-vacation-in-saint-lucia-from-june-28/

https://thevoiceslu.com/2025/06/oecs-heads-to-meet-with-nigerian-president-tinubu-in-saint-lucia/

https://www.caribbeannationalweekly.com/caribbean-breaking-news-featured/nigerian-president-to-make-historic-weeklong-visit-to-st-lucia/

https://politicsnigeria.com/tinubu-to-visit-saint-lucia-for-official-trip-vacation/


FreeThinker from Pluto

According to the statement, the trip is aimed at strengthening diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between Nigeria and countries in the Global South.

That's the official statement from the presidency not what the blogs and media are saying

helinues:
According to the statement, the trip is aimed at strengthening diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between Nigeria and countries in the Global South.

That's the official statement from the presidency not what the blogs and media are saying

Philip J. Pierre, the Caribbean prime minister, announced the trip at a pre-cabinet press briefing on Monday, according to St Lucia Times, local media.

"Two of these days, June 30 and July 1, will be dedicated to an official visit, with the remainder of the trip set aside as a personal vacation for the president." the prime minister said.”

You intentionally left out the 'bolded' part, didn’t you?

FreeThinker from Pluto

helinues:
According to the statement, the trip is aimed at strengthening diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between Nigeria and countries in the Global South.

That's the official statement from the presidency not what the blogs and media are saying

Two of these days, June 30 and July 1, will be dedicated to an official visit, with the remainder of the trip set aside as a personal vacation for the president." the prime minister said.”

..hellll...anuis..why did you leave the remaining part of the press relesse..? ..huh..?

..to deceive as usual..defending kies & deceit..abi..?

..after the so called "2" days official visit..what will he still be doing there..?

..hier.many days did he sornd in Benue..?

..no peace for the wicked..

helinues:
Wondering why some people would waste their time to write long epistle on information they don't have the accurate details about.

President Tinubu is on working visit not on holiday or vacation. It's annoying for you people to always be arguing blindly on an incorrect information

I am suspicious of the motives of the OP it seems motivated by hatred
It is unfortunate that we now have a very toxic environment where criticism is seen through prisms of hatred and fanatic loyalty

There must be balance some of us are not Tinubu supporters and we are not his opponents either

We give feedback that is intended to be constructive

St Lucia has a GDP of about $3 billion. about a quarter that of Togo. It is the size of Owerri

What WORK exactly is Tinubu going to do in St Lucia and Why Now? What is the possible benefit to Nigeria


He has not thought it fit to visit Togo, Cameroon, Chad or Benin Republic

It is difficult to spin this one convincingly
When he does the right things we will support it.

This one stinks and the arrogance and insensitivity of it is unmistakable
Tinubu has never behaved as if he feels he is accountable and to be fair it is the same for almost all our political class but it is on us and it is on you if you are unable or unwilling to call him out for anything

It is what it is and whilst I do not like it I do not try to make it more than it is. Since he claims he is attending BRICS we give him benefit of doubt for that but we are not stupid

You see now it’s a state visit for Nigerian business. Una go generate fake news and start to masturrbate on top à non issue.

Enemies of 9ja.

FreeThinkerPlut:
FreeThinker from Pluto