The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as another instance of “disdain for accountability,” following his delayed return to Nigeria after the conclusion of the 2025 BRICS Summit in Brazil.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the ADC expressed concern that Tinubu only returned to Abuja on July 13—five days after the summit ended on July 7—without offering any public explanation, official statement, or briefing to Nigerians.
“While other world leaders returned home, briefed their citizens, and resumed work, our President reappeared in the early hours of Sunday with no word,” the ADC noted. “A whole five days is significant in the life of a country, especially one grappling with insecurity, economic hardship, and public discontent.”
The opposition party insisted that Tinubu’s absence cannot be treated as inconsequential, especially since he was on official duty, not vacation.
The ADC also pointed to a pattern of unexplained overseas absences by the President, citing at least four previous occasions in 2024 where Tinubu reportedly disappeared from public view during or after foreign trips without clarifying his whereabouts.
- January 2024: A “private visit” to France extended into a two-week absence with no photos or official updates.
- April 2024: After attending the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, there was no word from the President until nine days later.
- August 2024: Tinubu’s trip to China via Dubai ended in an unexplained six-day disappearance before resurfacing in London.
- Later in August 2024: A three-day silent absence during a so-called “brief work stay” in Paris.
“These serial vanishings have triggered wild speculation, fuelled unhealthy rumours, and undermined public trust,” the party said.
The ADC warned that such unaccountable conduct tarnishes Nigeria’s international reputation and signals a troubling disregard for transparency.
“A president who disappears without explanation cannot be trusted to solve the nation’s crises,” the party concluded. “Nigerians must take note: A leader who is unaccountable to the people has no moral authority to demand sacrifice from them.”
The presidency has yet to respond to the ADC’s statement.
