The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has condemned the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, over his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s recent vacation.

Mr Tinubu departed Abuja on Thursday for a 10-day working vacation in Europe, as part of his 2025 annual leave.

Mr Obi, who has been consistently critical of the president’s handling of the country’s socio-economic and security challenges, expressed reservations about Mr Tinubu’s latest trip abroad.

According to him, the president’s frequent foreign travels give the impression of a leader who is becoming increasingly uncomfortable in his own country—“at a time Nigeria is in dire need of his presence to deal with myriad challenges.”

In response, the Lagos State APC spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, in a statement on Saturday, said Mr Obi should refrain from commenting on every action taken by the president.

Mr Oladejo stated that the APC “notes with growing bewilderment the increasingly opportunistic commentary that has become Obi’s political trademark.

“His latest remark—questioning president Tinubu’s private vacation and carelessly linking it to the nation’s security situation—is yet another example of his compulsive tendency to insert himself into every national conversation, regardless of relevance, accuracy, or basic decorum

“So we ask, sincerely: Must Peter Obi comment on everything or anything?

“Let us be clear: President Tinubu, like any responsible leader, remains fully briefed and in active communication with his security and intelligence teams – even while on a brief vacation.

“Governance does not grind to a halt simply because a leader takes time to rest—especially in an age where secure, real-time communication is always within reach. Mr. Obi knows this, but evidently prefers posturing over pragmatism,” he said.

According to him, Mr Obi’s constant moralising of the President’s every move smacks less of patriotism and more of a desperate grasp for relevance.

The spokesman noted that in Mr Obi’s attempt to cast himself as the nation’s ever-watchful conscience, the former Anambra governor consistently cheapened the seriousness of governance and reduced complex national issues to mere talking points.

He said that Mr Obi appeared to believe that his political relevance was in reacting to every government action or inaction – regardless of context or consequence.

“It is perhaps time for Mr Obi’s handlers to become more attentive to their principal – for the sake of both his wellbeing and his public perception.

“A statesman cannot afford to sound perpetually agitated, misinformed, or out of touch with the responsibilities of leadership in a modern democracy,” he added.

According to him, while this administration works around the clock to rebuild the economy, secure the nation, and restore confidence in public institutions, Mr Obi has continued to offer little more than sound bites, sermons, and reactionary commentary.

“No policy, no proposals – just perpetual complaints. This is not leadership. This is not patriotism. This is noise,” Mr Oladejo said.

He urged Mr Obi to exercise restraint and stop undermining serious national discourse “with knee-jerk statements crafted for social media applause.”

According to him, Nigeria needs a credible, constructive opposition – not a professional complainer.

“If he (Obi) has meaningful contributions to make, let him bring them forward – thoughtfully and responsibly. Otherwise, silence remains an honourable option,” he said.

Mr Oladejo said that APC under the leadership of Mr Tinubu remained focused on the serious business of governance – “not the daily performance theatre of political opportunists.” 

(NAN)