Lagos APC: Leadership Not Limited by Borders

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has fired back at the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following sharp criticisms directed at President Bola Tinubu’s latest working visit to Europe. In a strongly worded rebuttal, the ruling party’s spokesperson, Mogaji Seye Oladejo, dismissed the opposition’s concerns as “pedestrian politics,” asserting that the complex machinery of modern governance does not require a leader to be tethered to a single location.

The exchange follows comments by ADC’s Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, who had described the President’s departure as insensitive. Abdullahi pointed to a series of high-stakes security developments, including a devastating bomb blast on a Zamfara highway and the unprecedented United States military strikes against terrorist cells in Sokoto, as reasons why the President should have remained on home soil to address the nation’s anxiety.

However, the Lagos APC remains unimpressed by this logic. Oladejo argued that the ADC’s fixation on the President’s physical presence reveals an “intellectual laziness” and a fundamental misunderstanding of how a 21st-century state operates. He emphasized that Nigeria is a significant player in an interconnected global economy, and serious leadership necessitates constant, direct engagement with international investors and strategic allies.

“Nigeria is not governed from a village square,” Oladejo remarked, suggesting that the era of isolationist leadership is long gone. He insisted that the President’s trip is far from a “sightseeing excursion.” Instead, it is a deliberate effort to strengthen bilateral relations, attract foreign direct investment, and reinforce Nigeria’s standing in the comity of nations—all of which are essential components of the administration’s economic recovery agenda.

The APC spokesperson further clarified that the government does not grind to a halt when the Commander-in-Chief travels. He maintained that the administration operates with a clear structure and delegated authority, ensuring that policy direction and institutional strength remain in motion regardless of the President’s GPS coordinates. For the APC, the opposition’s obsession with flight schedules is merely a distraction from their own lack of a credible alternative roadmap for the country.

Taking a swipe at the ADC’s history, Oladejo noted the irony in their current outrage. He claimed that many in the opposition were either silent or active cheerleaders during previous eras characterized by “wasteful foreign trips” that yielded no tangible benefits for the Nigerian people. In contrast, he argued that every international engagement under the current “Renewed Hope” agenda is strictly aligned with national goals, such as infrastructure financing and energy transition.

The ruling party’s statement also touched on the broader political climate as the year comes to a close. Oladejo advised the opposition to “up its game,” describing their current strategy as a series of “meaningless noises” and “shallow theatrics” that have turned them into a caricature in the eyes of the public. He challenged the ADC to offer a serious security blueprint or economic alternative rather than chasing cheap headlines through recycled outrage.

As President Tinubu continues his itinerary, which includes participation in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit in early January, the Lagos APC has called on Nigerians to remain optimistic. The party views the President’s global activity as a sign of a leader who is “decisive, deliberate, and globally engaged.” They maintain that the results of these high-level diplomatic efforts will eventually speak louder than the criticisms of those “trapped in the politics of distraction.”

Ultimately, the clash highlights the deep ideological divide in Nigerian politics regarding the role of the presidency during times of crisis. While the ADC calls for visible, localized empathy and immediate domestic reassurance, the APC defends a model of executive leadership that prioritizes global economic positioning and institutional continuity. With the 2027 elections already casting a shadow over current discourse, this war of words is likely just the beginning of a long campaign season.