Lagos APC Dismisses Claims of Tinubu’s Absence, Blasts Peter Obi Over "Missing" Narrative

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has fired back at the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, over suggestions that President Bola Tinubu is "missing" or "absent" from his duties. In a strongly worded statement released on Monday, January 12, 2026, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo, described Obi’s remarks as a desperate attempt to remain politically relevant by spreading misinformation. "Mr. Peter Obi, in his characteristic manner of playing to the gallery, has once again embarked on a voyage of misinformation," Oladejo stated. The APC maintained that the President is fully engaged with the affairs of the state and that the machinery of government is functioning optimally under his leadership.

The controversy erupted following comments made by Peter Obi on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, where he raised sharp concerns about the President’s visibility during a period of significant national hardship.1 Framed as "a critical demand for accountability in a national emergency," Obi questioned, "Where is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?" He alleged that Tinubu spent 196 days abroad in 2025 alone—more time than he spent within the country—and criticized the lack of a New Year address or direct communication since December 2025.2 Obi described this pattern as "leadership by absence," adding, "Instead of directly addressing the nation, Nigerians learned about these critical events from foreign media, American officials, and the vague communications from the Presidency's aides...3 This is not governance; it's neglect."

In response, the Lagos APC dismissed these claims as "cheap blackmail," asserting that the President does not need to be on television every hour to prove he is working. "President Bola Tinubu is neither missing nor absent from his duty post. He is fully briefed and actively engaged in the task of governance... It is mischievous to suggest that a President must be seen in the media every hour to be considered active," Oladejo countered. The party emphasized that governance is assessed by the quality of decisions and policy outcomes rather than "media check-ins." They pointed to the President’s current attendance at the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week as evidence of his active diplomatic engagement, urging the opposition to focus on issues of substance rather than optics.4

The APC concluded by stating that Nigerians are more interested in the results of the "Renewed Hope" agenda than in the "petty political games" being played by those who are still reeling from their defeat in the previous general elections. They cautioned that spreading baseless rumors could incite unnecessary anxiety and urged opposition leaders to find more productive ways to contribute to the national discourse.

Do you believe the President needs to be more visible to the public during times of national crisis, or are his actions behind the scenes enough? Let us know your view in the comments.

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