Labour Party Faults Tinubu’s Prolonged Absence, Questions ‘Working Vacation’

The Labour Party (LP) has joined the growing list of critics questioning President Bola Tinubu’s prolonged absence from the country, describing his ongoing stay abroad as a cause for concern. The party expressed dissatisfaction with the Presidency’s characterization of the trip as a “working vacation,” arguing that the term lacks constitutional backing and creates ambiguity regarding the management of state affairs.

In a statement issued by the party’s leadership, the LP emphasized that while the President is entitled to rest, the current economic and security challenges facing Nigeria require his physical presence and direct oversight. The party noted that the lack of transparency surrounding the President’s activities during this period has fueled public anxiety and speculation about the state of governance.

The concept of a ‘working vacation’ is alien to our constitutional framework. The President is either on leave, in which case power should be formally transmitted, or he is working, in which case he should be at his desk in the State House. This middle-ground approach is creating a leadership vacuum that the country cannot afford at this critical time.

The Labour Party further questioned why the President chose to extend his stay in Europe instead of returning to address pressing national issues. The party urged the Presidency to provide a clear timeline for the President’s return and to ensure that all constitutional protocols regarding the exercise of executive power are strictly followed to avoid any potential crisis of authority.

The opposition party’s stance aligns with similar criticisms from other political groups, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which have all demanded greater accountability from the administration regarding the President’s whereabouts and the nature of his official engagements while abroad.