Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his decision to embark on a three-week vacation in Europe amid what he described as serious economic and security challenges confronting Nigeria.

The Presidency announced on Sunday that Tinubu had departed Abuja for Europe to begin his annual vacation, with London, United Kingdom, as his first destination.

Reacting in a post on his X handle, Atiku argued that the President’s absence, coming at a time when Vice President Kashim Shettima is also outside the country, had created what he described as a “disturbing vacuum of political leadership.”

According to the former Vice President, there is a fundamental difference between the overseas travel of a private citizen and that of a sitting president, particularly when the country is dealing with pressing economic and security challenges.

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“Nigeria may not be facing a constitutional vacuum today, but there is a disturbing vacuum of political leadership,” Atiku said.

He listed high petrol prices, food insecurity, rising transport fares and worsening insecurity among the challenges he said required the President’s attention.

Atiku likened Tinubu’s departure to a father leaving his family while his house was on fire.

“Consider what Bola Tinubu is leaving behind. Petrol priced beyond the reach of ordinary people. Families rationing food. Transport fares that have turned a journey to one’s own village into a luxury. Insecurity that buries Nigerians week after week,” he said.

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The ADC presidential candidate also questioned the timing of Tinubu’s trip, given that Shettima was reportedly outside the country on official duties.

He stressed that his criticism was not about whether a president should take time off, but whether the timing of the vacation was appropriate considering the difficulties facing millions of Nigerians.

“Millions of Nigerians are being grounded by hardship while their President is airborne. The people can barely afford to move, but the President keeps moving,” Atiku said.

He further accused the Tinubu administration of making the country increasingly expensive for ordinary Nigerians and pledged that he would work towards making Nigeria more affordable if elected president.

The Presidency, however, said Tinubu would return to Nigeria after the three-week working vacation and participate in preparations for the January 2027 general elections.