VIDEO: Nigerian president should spend vacation in Zamfara, Borno, not Europe – Peter Obi

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general elections, Peter Obi, has strongly condemned the practice of Nigerian presidents taking vacations abroad, promising to mandate domestic holidays if elected.

Speaking during an exclusive interview on Arise Television on Thursday, the former Anambra State Governor argued that a sitting president should spend their vacation time directly engaging with citizens and understanding local challenges, especially in flashpoint states.

“Nigeria’s President must spend his vacation in Nigeria. We cannot continue with this nonsense. Where does other countries’ own send their vacation?” Obi questioned.

“Nigeria President should go to Zamfara, to Borno, to Anambra, to anywhere. As President of Nigeria, I will visit other countries, but I will not take my holidays there”.

When prompted about the security risks of vacationing in states dealing with insurgency like Borno, Obi remained adamant that the president must remain in the country he leads.

“It doesn’t matter. Because that’s the country he lives. That’s why he takes the money to Europe,” Obi declared.

Drawing a comparison to Western leaders, he added, “Do you know what it means for the British Prime Minister to say he’s going for vacation in Germany? That will be the end of him”.

Using the opportunity to reiterate his support for a change in Nigeria’s governance structure, Obi noted that a parliamentary system would foster greater accountability regarding such matters.

The NDC candidate also directed sharp criticism at President Bola Tinubu, alleging that the current leader has failed to spend extended time engaging with local communities. “President who has not slept three nights anywhere in Nigeria,” Obi claimed.

He criticized the brief nature of recent presidential visits to troubled areas like Jos and Benue, arguing that the president should have committed more time to understand the root causes of the crises.

“He should go to Benue and say ‘I’m here for the next three days, I want to see these stakeholders in the state,’” Obi stated.