The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is absent or missing from his duties, insisting that the President remains fully engaged in the business of governance despite criticisms over his public visibility.
The party’s response followed remarks by the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, who recently questioned the President’s whereabouts amid Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the Lagos State Spokesman of the APC, Mr Seye Oladejo, the ruling party said President Tinubu continues to actively discharge his constitutional responsibilities, both within Nigeria and abroad.
Oladejo urged political actors to focus on substantive governance issues rather than optics, stressing that leadership effectiveness should not be reduced to constant public appearances.
“According to him, the President is not missing, nor is he absent from his constitutional responsibilities,” the statement read.
“He is actively involved in the complex and demanding work of statecraft, which includes policy coordination, security oversight, diplomatic engagements and economic reforms.
“Governance is not measured by constant public appearances or media check-ins. It is assessed by the quality of decisions taken, the policies implemented, and the outcomes delivered in the national interest.”
The APC spokesman added that President Tinubu has continued to discharge his duties with focus and resolve, guided by the constitutional mandate entrusted to him by Nigerians.
“His schedule and engagements are driven by national priorities, not by the need to satisfy political commentary,” Oladejo said.
He further noted that the Tinubu administration remains active across key sectors, including economic reforms, security coordination and international diplomacy, describing these efforts as critical to repositioning Nigeria for sustainable growth and enhanced global relevance.
Oladejo advised political leaders to engage constructively by offering practical ideas and viable alternatives that would contribute to national development, rather than raising concerns capable of creating unnecessary public anxiety.
Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, had earlier raised questions about President Tinubu’s visibility, citing what he described as worsening economic hardship, rising insecurity and a perceived leadership silence at a critical moment for the country.
In a statement posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, Obi said his concerns were driven by the scale of challenges confronting Nigeria and the apparent absence of direct presidential engagement.
He alleged that President Tinubu spent 196 days outside the country in 2025, claiming that this exceeded the number of days he spent within Nigeria during the same period.
Obi also asserted that Nigerians had not heard directly from the President since December 2025.
However, it would be recalled that President Tinubu departed Lagos on December 28 for Europe to continue his end-of-year break and prepare for an official visit to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.
The President was invited by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to participate in the 2026 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026).
Tinubu arrived in Abu Dhabi on Sunday and is attending the global sustainability forum, which began on Monday.
