NDC leader Peter Obi has criticised Nigerian leaders for taking vacations abroad, insisting the president must spend his holidays within the country rather than travelling to Europe.

Speaking in an interview with Arise TV, Obi took aim at President Bola Tinubu's frequent foreign trips, arguing that Nigerian leaders should set an example by touring the country's own states instead.

"This will start with me. The Nigerian president must spend his vacation in Nigeria. We cannot continue this nonsense. Where do the leaders of other countries go to?" he said.

He suggested that Nigeria's president should consider vacationing in states like Zamfara, Borno or Anambra, rather than spending public funds on holidays overseas.

"He should go on vacation in Zamfara, in Borno, in Anambra or anywhere instead of taking the money to Europe," he said.

Drawing a comparison with how such conduct would be received elsewhere, Obi noted that a similar move by a British leader would be politically unthinkable.

"Do you know what it means for the British Prime Minister to say he's going for vacation in Germany? That will be the end of him," he said.

Obi also used the moment to renew his call for a shift toward a parliamentary system of government, tying it to the broader culture of accountability he says Nigeria lacks.

"That's why I want us to bring a positive parliamentary system," he said.

He went on to pledge that, if elected president, he would maintain a clear distinction between official state visits and personal vacations.

"As President of Nigeria, I'll visit other countries, but I will not take my holidays in other countries," he said.

“Nigerian president must spend his vacation in Nigeria. He should go on vacation in Zamfara, in Borno, in Anambra. As president, I will go to Sokoto and spend Sallah with the Sultan.” — NDC Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi https://t.co/blzOkJ7z1Y

— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) September 10, 2026