The Labour Party has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his decision to travel to Europe at a time of escalating insecurity across the country, describing the move as insensitive and lacking empathy.
The party’s Acting National Chairman, Nenadi Usman, said the President should have remained in Nigeria to personally coordinate security responses as violent attacks and humanitarian challenges continue to worsen in several parts of the country.
Usman faulted the timing of the trip, noting that the nation was still grappling with deadly incidents, even during the festive period.
She described the President’s absence as ill-timed, stressing that Nigerians were being killed while the country’s leader was away.
“This is the most inauspicious time for the President to leave the country. Even the Christmas holiday in Lagos seems ill-timed, given that a bomb exploded in Zamfara today, killing nine people,” she said.
According to her, Nigeria is facing what she termed an external attack, accusing the Federal Government of downplaying the severity of the security situation confronting the country.
The Labour Party acting chairperson also criticised what she described as the President’s failure to convene critical security meetings following the United States–led bombardment of terrorist camps in Kwara and Sokoto states.
She further condemned the perceived lack of sustained engagement with the nation’s military leadership.
Her comments followed reports that President Tinubu had departed Lagos for Europe ahead of his scheduled official visit to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.
The visit is at the invitation of the UAE President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for the Sustainability Week 2026 Summit.
The President’s trip comes amid heightened security concerns nationwide, with renewed attacks by terrorists and bandits across several states.
On Christmas Day, President Donald Trump authorised the United States Africa Command to conduct airstrikes on terrorist camps in Sokoto State, hours before Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged the operation.
Similarly, a deadly bomb explosion in Zamfara State on Friday claimed several lives, further deepening public anxiety over the country’s deteriorating security situation.