*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:*
*THE COST OF ABSENCE – TINUBU’S LEADERSHIP VACUUM JEOPARDIZES NIGERIA’S ECONOMY AND SECURITY.*
*…..CUPP Demands Action! Where Is Tinubu? : Tinubu’s Absence Risks Nigeria’s Future.*
Abuja, Nigeria – July 10,
2025
The ongoing absence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, both physically and in effective leadership, has deepened Nigeria’s economic and security crises, pushing the nation toward instability. As citizens grapple with unprecedented hardship, we call on the administration to address this leadership vacuum with urgency and accountability.
Since taking office on May 29, 2023, President Tinubu’s frequent international travels and limited engagement with domestic crises have left Nigerians feeling abandoned. In October 2024, both the President and Vice President Kashim Shettima were abroad simultaneously, leaving a governance void at a time when inflation soared to 33.95%, fuel prices exceeded N1,000 per liter, and insecurity escalated.
This absence, coupled with minimal public communication during heightened security concerns, abductions, and economic turmoil, has eroded public trust and amplified perceptions of a disconnected government.
Economic Consequences of Leadership Absence The lack of hands-on leadership has worsened the economic fallout from Tinubu’s policies. The abrupt removal of the fuel subsidy and naira exchange rate liberalization, while aimed at long-term reform, have triggered immediate hardship without adequate mitigation. Inflation reached 34.19% by June 2024 and still remains high today even after the rebasing of the economy, with food inflation surpassing 40% then, making essentials like rice and beans unaffordable for millions. The promised ₦500 billion palliative fund has been poorly implemented, reaching only a fraction of those in serious need due to corruption and incompetence. The absence of clear communication and swift action has left citizens unable to afford the high transport cost while most Nigerians finds it difficult to take care of their family due to high cost of living crisis, forcing many to the brink of destitution.
Security Consequences of Leadership Absence On the security front are alarming and troubling, Tinubu’s limited presence and lack of visible action have allowed crises to fester. Jihadist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP, now using advanced tactics such as armed drones, continue to destabilize the northeast. In Benue and Plateau States, armed herders and kidnappers operate with impunity, displacing communities and disrupting agriculture. The President’s claim of “winning the war on terror” in his 2024 Independence Day speech lacks credibility, as citizens live in fear and farmers abandon fields, exacerbating food insecurity. The absence of a proactive, on-the-ground approach to security has emboldened criminals and left Nigeria vulnerable to further violence.
We must call the President to Action and we must urge Mr. President to prioritize Nigeria’s immediate needs by remaining present, engaging directly with citizens, and implementing effective measures to address economic hardship and insecurity.
Transparent communication, robust social safety nets, and decisive security interventions are critical to restoring public confidence and averting chaos.
The cost of continued absence is clear: a deepening economic crisis that impoverishes millions and a security situation that threatens lives and livelihoods. Nigeria cannot afford a leadership *vacuum.* We demand a government that is present, responsive, and committed to delivering the “Renewed Hope” promised to its people, despite the fact that the promise has turned into renewed hopelessness.
PETER AMEH
NATIONAL SECRETARY, CUPP.
Ex-2019 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
FORMER NATIONAL CHAIRMAN, IPAC.
Contact: saintpeter.ameh@gmail.com
