The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has taken a swipe at President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima over their recent travels outside the country.
Sowore, who spoke during a press conference, criticised the leadership of the country and questioned the benefits Nigerians derive from the government even when the President and Vice President are physically present in the country.
He jokingly said Nigerians should regard him as the “interim president” while the two leaders are away.
According to him, the absence of the President and Vice President should not be the major concern because, in his view, the government has failed to adequately address the challenges confronting Nigerians.
“These guys don’t care about the country. But I don’t want to stress the nation. The question is, even when they are in the country, what are they doing for it?” Sowore asked.
He added: “They’ve left you to your fate. Just take it that Sowore is the interim president while they are gone. So you can report to me if you need anything.
“But on a serious note, these guys are not doing anything for you when they are around.”
Sowore linked his criticism to his longstanding opposition to the government’s economic policies, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, arguing that the country’s political leadership enjoys privileges that remain beyond the reach of ordinary Nigerians.
He claimed that Tinubu could afford to embark on several vacations in a year while Nigerians struggle to meet basic needs.
“The President of Nigeria can go on vacation three times a year. I think this might be his third vacation this year alone. But the Nigerian people can’t go on vacation because they’re earning miserable wages,” he said.
The human rights activist also criticised the state of Nigeria’s healthcare system, contrasting the ability of political leaders to seek medical attention abroad with the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens in accessing quality healthcare within the country
“They can’t go to hospitals even in their country, but the President can fly to European capitals to get the best treatment he wants,” Sowore said.
He alleged that Nigerian leaders could travel abroad for specialised medical care while citizens were left to contend with hospitals that often lacked the capacity to properly diagnose and treat their ailments.
According to him, the President’s absence from the country reflects a broader failure of leadership. He insisted that Nigerians must decide whether they want to continue with the prevailing situation.
“And this is a big question for you. Do you want to continue your life like this?” he asked.
The comments came after Tinubu departed Abuja for Europe to begin a three-week vacation as part of his annual leave.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President’s first destination was London, United Kingdom.
Onanuga said Tinubu would return to Nigeria at the end of the working vacation and resume his official activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Shettima had also travelled to Luanda, Angola, where he represented Tinubu at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.
The Vice President subsequently left Luanda for Nigeria on Monday after concluding his engagements at the AU session.
During the visit, Shettima condemned the alleged xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
He warned that Nigeria would no longer tolerate the dehumanisation or mistreatment of its citizens, while stressing that the Federal Government remained committed to resolving the concerns through diplomatic engagement.
“Those whose palm kernels were cracked by benevolent spirits should learn to be humble,” Shettima said, recalling Nigeria’s role in the liberation struggles across Southern Africa.
He maintained that the Nigerian government and people would not accept situations in which Nigerians were subjected to degrading treatment.
“The government and people of Nigeria will no longer countenance a situation whereby our people are dehumanised and put into very, very unacceptable situations,” he said.
Shettima, however, said Nigeria would continue to engage South African authorities through dialogue to address the concerns without escalating tensions between both countries.
