Former presidential spokesperson, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has clarified the reasons behind President Bola Tinubu’s recent trip to the United Kingdom, stating that the move was strategic, rather than simply a holiday. Okupe explained that the President’s two-week stay in the UK was necessary to avoid political interference during his planned cabinet reshuffle and to reflect on the performance of his administration over the past 17 months.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos, Okupe addressed growing criticism from Nigerians about the President’s decision to travel abroad during a time of national hardship. Many critics argue that Tinubu should have stayed in the country to address the pressing issues affecting Nigerians. However, Okupe believes that those criticisms are misplaced and based on a misunderstanding of the President’s intentions.
President Tinubu left Nigeria on October 2 for the United Kingdom, embarking on a two-week vacation, the first official leave he has taken since assuming office in May 2023. According to a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the trip is not just a vacation but a working retreat. The President plans to use this time to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms and review the progress of his government’s policies since taking office.
Okupe, who served as the Director-General of Peter Obi’s presidential campaign, emphasized that Tinubu’s UK trip was a deliberate effort to distance himself from the distractions and pressures of political associates, officials, and friends in Nigeria. This separation, Okupe argued, is necessary for the President to think clearly and make informed decisions, particularly concerning his plan to reshuffle the cabinet.
“I have read many uninformed criticisms of the President’s holiday trip abroad,” Okupe said. “Personally, from my understanding of how Presidents behave in periods of national crisis, I believe the President has willfully separated himself from officials, friends, and associates to reflect and review the last 17 months and chart a new way forward for his administration.”
Okupe further explained that staying in Nigeria during this time would not have afforded Tinubu the peaceful and serene atmosphere he needs to focus on these important decisions. In his view, the President’s retreat to the UK will allow him to consider his next moves without undue interference from political allies who might try to influence the reshuffle.
Since President Tinubu’s departure for the UK, public reaction has been mixed, with some Nigerians expressing frustration over the timing of the trip. The country is currently facing significant economic challenges, including high inflation, rising fuel prices, and widespread poverty, especially following the removal of the fuel subsidy—a key policy of the Tinubu administration.
Many critics have argued that the President should be in the country, working with his team to address these issues rather than taking a vacation abroad. The perception that Nigeria’s leaders often travel abroad for personal reasons, leaving behind a struggling populace, has added to the frustration.
However, Okupe disagreed with these sentiments, arguing that leaders often need time away from the daily pressures of office to reflect on the state of the nation and make critical decisions. “At the same time, it is to carefully avoid undue interference from political associates, in his thought process to rejig his cabinet,” he said.
One of the key topics of speculation surrounding Tinubu’s UK trip is the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle. Since taking office, the President has faced growing pressure to adjust his cabinet, with many Nigerians expecting a more effective team to address the country’s worsening economic situation.
Okupe suggested that Tinubu’s retreat would allow him to assess the performance of his ministers and advisers objectively, without the influence of political associates who may have personal stakes in the outcome. The former presidential spokesperson expressed confidence that upon his return, Tinubu would unveil a new cabinet lineup that would better serve the interests of Nigerians.
“The President’s return after this retreat would signal good tidings for the people of Nigeria and bring about the much-needed comfort and succour for our teeming masses,” Okupe said, expressing optimism that the President’s time away would result in positive changes for the country.
Although this is Tinubu’s first official vacation since becoming President, he has undertaken several foreign trips over the past few months. These trips have been mostly for diplomatic purposes and international engagements aimed at attracting foreign investment and securing partnerships for Nigeria.
Some of his notable trips include visits to the United States, France, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In these meetings, Tinubu sought to build relationships with world leaders and discuss opportunities for economic collaboration that could benefit Nigeria.
However, the frequency of these foreign trips has not gone unnoticed by Nigerians, with some citizens voicing concerns that the President spends too much time outside the country at a time when Nigeria faces serious domestic challenges. The trip to the UK has reignited these concerns, particularly because it is framed as a holiday during a difficult period for the country.
As Tinubu’s UK trip draws closer to its conclusion, many Nigerians are waiting to see what changes, if any, will come from the President’s time abroad. Okupe’s remarks have raised expectations that a cabinet reshuffle could be imminent, a move that many believe is necessary to reinvigorate the government’s approach to tackling the country’s economic woes.
