President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has come under fire from citizens in Cross River State, who faulted his constant trips abroad at a time of mounting economic hardship at home.
During early-morning phone-in programmes on Sparkling FM and FAD FM in Calabar, callers took turns to challenge what they described as wasteful expenditure on foreign holidays and medical visits, urging the president to instead patronise Nigerian destinations such as the Obudu Mountain Resort.
The president was reported to have spent two weeks recently in Japan and Brazil with a large entourage. Barely a month earlier, he had also visited France and the United Kingdom for medical reasons. He departed again this week for another two-week vacation in Europe.
Effiom Otu, who phoned in from Akamkpa, alleged that the president spends more time abroad than within the country.
“Why can’t he holiday in Obudu, which his own government has instructed Governor Bassey Otu to refurbish for use? The resort is our Camp David. Let him come here instead of Europe,” he said.
David Imoh from Akpabuyo argued that hosting the president in Obudu would not only showcase Nigeria’s tourism potential but also encourage world leaders to take interest in the nation’s natural attractions.
“Resources wasted on weekly foreign trips could fix federal roads like Calabar–Uyo that have been abandoned for years,” he added.
A caller from Calabar South, Chief Akpan Ime, condemned the timing of the president’s latest trip, noting that families are grappling with rising costs as schools prepare to reopen.
“Youths are without jobs, parents are struggling to raise school fees, yet our leader is busy touring Europe. These trips are a slap on the people’s suffering,” he lamented.
Many contributors insisted that Nigeria’s image and economy would benefit more if the president cut down on foreign travels and instead demonstrated confidence in the country’s own tourist and recreational facilities.
