The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has raised objections to Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent private trip to France, expressing dismay over the timing given the pressing issues facing Nigeria.
The group, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Peter Ameh, questioned the necessity of such trips amid the country’s need for strong leadership.
CUPP drew parallels with the past Buhari era, expressing concerns about the secrecy surrounding Tinubu’s private visits and speculating on undisclosed motives.
The coalition recommended implementing comprehensive health and fitness tests for future leaders to avoid situations where the president’s absence could exacerbate challenges facing the nation.
The coalition stated, “It is our hope and belief that these private trips do not involve something untoward that is hidden from Nigerians who voted for him to salvage the country, which has been in a downward spiral.
“Tongues have begun to wag, and speculations are beginning to abound about the real reasons for these private trips.
“We hope that Nigeria is not about to witness another Buhari 2.0 presidency where, from time to time, without any form of announcement, the President would sneak out of the country to a foreign country for medical treatment in the name of private visit.
“Tinubu should realise that Nigeria is beset on all sides by insecurity, galloping inflation, hunger and starvation, unemployment that is running wild and out of control, etcetera. The value of the naira is speeding southward, with our currency exchanging at almost a thousand five hundred naira to the United States dollar.”
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CUPP added, “that the country needs a hands-on-deck president, and whatever the reason for these private visits can be conveniently handled in Nigeria or in the absence of such facilities being available, provision should be urgently made to have them brought to Nigeria.
“Nigeria needs the physical presence of their president to have that assurance that the job of Mr. President has not been outsourced to those who have no business exercising it.”