APC Rejects “Missing” Claims: Tinubu Prioritizes Statecraft Over Media Optics

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a stinging rebuttal to Labour Party leader Peter Obi, dismissing his inquiries into President Bola Tinubu’s whereabouts as “mischievous” and “unnecessary.” In a statement released on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, the ruling party’s Lagos State Spokesman, Seye Oladejo, maintained that the President is neither missing nor neglecting his duties, but is instead focused on high-level national priorities that transcend public appearances.

The controversy was ignited by a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) by Peter Obi, who raised an alarm over what he termed “leadership by absence.” Obi alleged that President Tinubu had spent a staggering 196 days abroad in 2025—exceeding his time spent within Nigeria—and claimed the nation had not heard directly from its leader since December. Obi further criticized the President’s silence following reported U.S. military strikes on Nigerian soil, arguing that “silence in the face of crisis is the loudest form of failure.”

In a swift defense, the APC countered that governance should not be measured by “media check-ins” or “constant public appearances.” Oladejo emphasized that the President is actively engaged in the demanding work of statecraft, which includes policy coordination, security oversight, and economic reforms. He argued that the President’s schedule is strictly dictated by the mandate given to him by Nigerians, rather than a need to satisfy “political commentary” from opposition figures.

Adding a layer of transparency to the President’s current activities, the presidency clarified that Tinubu is currently in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. He is attending the summit at the official invitation of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Far from being a mere holiday, the visit is reportedly yielding tangible results, including the planned signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) aimed at boosting trade and protecting UAE investments in Nigeria.

The APC further debunked Obi’s claim of presidential silence, reminding the public of the New Year’s Day national broadcast delivered by the President. The party urged opposition leaders to move away from “optics” and instead focus on constructive engagement by offering substantive policy alternatives. They warned that fueling anxiety about the President’s visibility during a time of economic transition serves only to destabilize public confidence.

As the debate over “presence versus performance” continues to dominate the political discourse, the President’s participation in the Abu Dhabi summit underscores his administration’s strategy of “shuttle diplomacy.” While critics like Obi see this as neglect, the APC maintains that these international engagements are critical for securing the foreign direct investment necessary to grow the economy and address the very poverty and insecurity that the opposition decries.