Alhaji Atiku Abubakar former Vice President of Nigeria on Tuesday, asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to step down, stating that the country cannot afford a ‘Tourist-in-Chief.’
Atiku, in a statement on his official X handle on Tuesday, expressed deep concern about the recent surge in insecurity and economic challenges facing the country. He was particularly critical of President Tinubu’s absence in the country as insecurity mounts.
Abubakar’s statement comes in the wake of recent kidnappings and killings, including the tragic deaths of a nursing mother and grandmother in Abuja and two monarchs in Ekiti State.
He accused Tinubu, who is currently on a private trip to Paris, of being indifferent to the escalating security challenges facing the nation, describing him as a “tourist-in-chief.”
“Tinubu is playing fiddle while Nigeria is drowning in the ocean of insecurity,” Atiku declared in his tweet.
“To imagine that the Commander-in-Chief is on a so-called private visit while kidnappers kill a nursing mother and grandmother in Abuja for failing to pay N90 million ransom and two monarchs in Ekiti, among other regular tragedies besetting Nigerians,”
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The former vice president also noted that if the incumbent leader, whom he referred to as “Emilokan,” finds the responsibilities too overwhelming, he should consider stepping down.
“Emilokan” is a Yoruba phrase that translates as “It is my turn” or “It is my time.” Tinubu, however, adopted the phrase “Emilokan” during his 2023 campaign as a rallying cry, claiming it was his turn to become president.
Amidst the country’s current challenges, Atiku proposed that “If the shoes are too big for Emilokan,” then Tinubu should consider stepping aside. He added that the country does not require another “tourist-in-chief” but rather a leader ready to confront the pressing issues head-on.
“If the shoes are too big for Emilokan, he should step aside. Nigeria does not need another Tourist-in-Chief. The country needs 24/7 leadership to confront the pervasive insecurity and collapsing economy.”
By Jimisayo Opanuga
