Labour Party Condemns Tinubu’s Europe Trip Amid Rising Insecurity

The Labour Party (LP) has strongly criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his decision to travel to Europe at a time when Nigeria continues to battle worsening insecurity across several regions.

Reacting to the development, the Acting National Chairman of the party, Nenadi Usman, described the President’s trip as lacking compassion and sensitivity, especially considering the ongoing violent attacks and humanitarian emergencies confronting many Nigerians.

According to Usman, the prevailing security situation across the country demands the President’s physical presence and direct involvement. She stressed that this period calls for strong leadership coordination rather than overseas travel.

She maintained that the President ought to have stayed back to personally oversee security strategies, engage military leadership, and reassure citizens who are currently living under fear and uncertainty.

“This is clearly not the right moment for the President to be away from the country. Even spending the Christmas holiday in Lagos appeared inappropriate, particularly when a bomb explosion occurred in Zamfara today, resulting in the death of nine people,” Usman stated.

The Labour Party further argued that Nigeria is facing what it described as external aggression, accusing the federal government of playing down the gravity of the nation’s security challenges. Usman suggested that the seriousness of recent attacks requires urgent national attention rather than diplomatic or leisure engagements abroad.

She also expressed concern over what she described as the President’s limited engagement with key security stakeholders. According to her, no major security meeting has been convened since the reported U.S.-led bombardment of suspected terrorist camps located in parts of Kwara and Sokoto States.

The LP Acting Chairperson condemned what she termed a visible communication gap between the Presidency and the country’s military command structure, warning that such disconnect could further weaken national security efforts.

Meanwhile, LMSINT MEDIA had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu departed Lagos for Europe ahead of an official engagement in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The visit is connected to the upcoming Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026) Summit, following an invitation from the UAE President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

This foreign trip comes at a period when Nigeria is experiencing renewed security threats in different regions, raising concerns among citizens and political observers.

Recall that on Christmas Day, United States President Donald Trump authorised the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) to carry out airstrikes on terrorist hideouts in Sokoto State. The operation reportedly took place hours before Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally acknowledged the action.

Similarly, a bomb explosion in Zamfara State on Friday resulted in multiple fatalities, further intensifying fears about the fragile security environment across the country.

These developments have continued to fuel public debate over leadership priorities and the government’s overall response to Nigeria’s security crisis.