In a scathing critique, former Senate President Adolphus Wabara has slammed President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima over their simultaneous foreign trips, calling it a “dereliction of duty” and a blatant disregard for the Nigerian people. Wabara, who currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the comments on Sunday after both leaders left the country at the same time, with Tinubu in France for a two-week working visit, and Shettima representing him at Senegal’s 65th Independence Day celebrations in Dakar.
Wabara expressed deep concern over the absence of both the president and his deputy, leaving Nigeria effectively “headless.” He described their joint foreign travels as a clear display of “executive rascality,” emphasizing that while the president has the right to travel for work, he must hand over power to the vice president in an acting capacity if he chooses to leave. However, Wabara pointed out that Shettima’s trip to Senegal further complicates the situation, as it left the country without any top leadership overseeing its affairs.
In a pointed critique, Wabara stated, “It is absolutely not proper for the VP, who should be acting president, to travel while the president is also away.” He argued that if Nigeria needed representation in Senegal, the Foreign Affairs Minister should have been tasked with the responsibility, not the vice president.
The former Senate President expressed his disbelief at the timing of the trips, especially when the country is grappling with multiple national issues that require presidential attention. Wabara pointed out the rising tensions in Edo State, ongoing security crises in Plateau, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Benue, as well as political unrest in Rivers and Bayelsa states. He claimed that leaving the country in the midst of these pressing issues showed a lack of priority and respect for Nigerians.
“What does it say about a leader who abandons governance during such a crucial time?” Wabara asked. “How can the country be burning, and the number one and number two citizens of the country be away? This can only happen in Nigeria.”
Wabara also warned that Tinubu and Shettima’s actions indicated either an overwhelming inability to govern or a lack of readiness to lead. He expressed disappointment that such behavior continues to reflect poorly on Nigeria’s political leadership.
The PDP leader urged the National Assembly to step up and hold the executive accountable, fulfilling its constitutional role of providing checks and balances to prevent further “impunity” in governance. Wabara also cautioned against what he described as “executive rascality,” asserting that Tinubu’s administration risks turning Nigeria’s democracy into a laughing stock on the global stage.
As Nigeria continues to face multiple crises, Wabara’s criticism underscores the urgency for more accountable and responsible leadership at the top of the government.
