GROUP SLAMS ATIKU OVER TINUBU’S THREE-WEEK EUROPE VACATION

A group has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for questioning President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to embark on a three-week vacation in Europe.
The group described Atiku’s criticism as an attempt to politicise what it called a routine annual leave for the President.
Tinubu reportedly left Nigeria on Sunday for Europe as part of his annual vacation, with London, United Kingdom, among his destinations.
The Presidency has described the trip as a working vacation, maintaining that the President will remain engaged with important government matters while away.
However, Atiku has questioned the timing of the President’s absence, citing the economic and security challenges currently confronting Nigerians.
The former Vice President argued that Nigeria is facing serious problems, including rising living costs, insecurity and economic hardship, which require strong political leadership.
Atiku stressed that his concern was not about the President taking a holiday, but about whether the timing of a three-week trip was appropriate given the situation in the country.
The group defending Tinubu, however, rejected the criticism.
It argued that the President is entitled to take his annual leave after months of intense official duties and that government activities would continue in his absence.
The group also accused Atiku of using the President’s vacation as another opportunity to score political points ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Presidential officials have similarly defended Tinubu’s decision, saying the President has been heavily involved in government activities and deserves time to rest and recharge.
They maintained that Tinubu would continue to receive briefings and remain in contact with officials on important national matters during his vacation.
The controversy comes as political activities ahead of the 2027 presidential election continue to gather momentum.
Atiku, who is expected to be one of the major opposition figures in the election, has increasingly criticised the Tinubu administration over the economy, cost of living and the government’s handling of national challenges.
The disagreement over the President’s vacation has therefore quickly become part of the wider political battle ahead of 2027, with the opposition questioning the administration’s priorities and Tinubu’s supporters defending his right to take time away from office.
As the 2027 election approaches, issues surrounding the economy, security, governance and leadership are expected to dominate political debates across the country.
Do you think Atiku is right to criticise Tinubu’s vacation, or is the opposition turning a routine annual leave into a political issue? Share your thoughts in the comments.