2027: Turaki-Led PDP Faults Tinubu Over Extended Vacation, Absence At UNGA

The Tanimu Turaki-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the extension of his vacation and his absence from the 2026 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), describing the development as an “unacceptable abdication” of his presidential mandate.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary of its Interim National Working Committee, Comrade Ini Ememobong, said the President’s decision to extend his vacation at a time of rising insecurity and economic hardship was disappointing and insensitive to the challenges confronting Nigerians.

Ememobong, in a statement issued on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, titled, “Tinubu’s Extended Holiday And Absence At UNGA: An Unacceptable Abdication Of Presidential Mandate,” said Nigerians had been informed of the President’s inability to attend the UN General Assembly through a statement by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.

According to him, the development raised questions about presidential accountability and the responsibility of the President to remain engaged with the challenges facing the country.

“We must remind the President and the Presidency that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu sought for this job, and by being sworn in, he became the servant, not lord and master, of the country and all Nigerians, who have a right to question how he governs them,” he said.

The Tanimu Turaki-led PDP spokesman questioned why President Tinubu would proceed on vacation at a time when insecurity was, according to him, on the rise, while economic indicators remained challenging and many Nigerians were experiencing hardship.

Ememobong also questioned the decision of the President not to attend the United Nations General Assembly, arguing that the global gathering provided an opportunity for Nigeria to engage world leaders and seek international support on issues confronting the country.

He said the President had been on holiday in Europe and argued that he could have proceeded from there to the United States for the UNGA.

“If the President is not in Nigeria solving the problems of the country, he should be at UNGA seeking international help for the country,” Ememobong said.

He further accused the Presidency of failing to appreciate Nigerians’ right to question and demand accountability from the President.

The Tanimu Turaki-led PDP spokesman urged Nigerians to take note of what he described as the Presidency’s “disrespect and disdain” for citizens demanding accountability.

He said the development should also inform Nigerians’ decisions in the 2027 presidential election, arguing that the country needed a President who would be ready and willing to work for Nigerians both within the country and internationally.