Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s recent foreign trips, saying government visits abroad should produce clear economic benefits for Nigerians.
Obi, in a statement posted on his X handle on Saturday, said foreign diplomacy must go beyond ceremonies and public appearances, stressing that every trip undertaken by government officials should translate into investments, industrial partnerships, job creation and economic growth.
His comments followed Tinubu’s recent visits to France, Kenya and Rwanda, where the president attended high-level meetings with investors, business leaders and African heads of state.
While in Kenya, Tinubu participated in the Africa Forward Summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President William Ruto. He also attended the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda.
Obi compared Nigeria’s foreign engagements with United States President Donald Trump’s diplomatic approach with China, claiming such visits usually attract major trade deals and investments.
Obi, former Anambra State governor and presidential aspirant on the platform of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 poll said Nigerians deserve to know the direct economic value of government trips, especially at a time of economic hardship, rising unemployment and worsening poverty.
“State visits are not tourism and diplomacy is not a fashion parade. Every kobo spent on foreign trips must produce measurable value for citizens,” he said.
Obi further questioned what investments, factories, manufacturing agreements and employment opportunities Nigeria secured from the recent trips.
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