‘Analogue Aspirant’ — APC Hits Obi Over Tinubu Comment

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised former Labour Party presidential candidate Mr Peter Obi over his recent remarks questioning the whereabouts of President Bola Tinubu, describing him as an “analogue presidential aspirant” struggling to understand modern governance.

In a statement on Tuesday by the Lagos APC spokesman, Seye Oladejo, the party said Obi’s comment, “Where’s the President?”, was a theatrical outburst driven by what it termed an obsession with optics rather than a clear understanding of statecraft.

The party maintained that Tinubu is neither missing nor absent, insisting that he remains fully engaged in the business of governance, including policy coordination, security management, diplomacy and economic reforms.

According to the APC, governance should not be reduced to social media check-ins or daily photo opportunities, adding that leadership is defined by outcomes rather than constant public visibility.

The party also accused Obi of having a limited appreciation of executive responsibility, stressing that Nigerians judge leadership by results and not by how frequently a leader is seen in public.

While reacting to criticisms about the President’s visibility, the APC pointed to what it described as tangible actions of the Tinubu administration, including economic reforms, strategic security engagements and increased diplomatic outreach aimed at repositioning Nigeria on the global stage.

“The President’s schedule is driven by national interest, not the convenience of political hecklers who confuse noise for substance.

“One wonders whether Mr. Obi’s fixation stems from his own limited appreciation of executive responsibility. Nigerians have not forgotten that leadership is measured by outcomes, not by a leader’s constant visibility in the public square. The President remains fully in charge-constitutionally, operationally, and morally-directing the affairs of the nation with focus and resolve,” the statement said.

The Lagos APC further advised Obi to upgrade his political firmware, arguing that Nigeria has moved beyond what it called analogue politics of grandstanding and hollow soundbites.

“Nigeria has moved beyond analogue politics of grandstanding and hollow soundbites. The country deserves, and indeed has, a President who works-sometimes quietly, always purposefully-rather than one who performs for applause,” the party added.

Obi, in a statement earlier this week, had questioned Tinubu’s presence amid what he described as worsening poverty, hunger and insecurity, calling for greater visibility and direct engagement from the President during periods of national crisis.

“As we approach the end of this year, Nigeria will be home to approximately 140 million people living in extreme poverty—the highest number in the world. We are grappling with one of the hungriest populations globally, staggering insecurity, an unemployment rate exceeding 80 million among our youth, and one of the worst places to be born, with infant mortality rates worse than those of a nation seven times our size,” Obi said.

“In the midst of this chaos, where has our President been? Spending 196 days abroad in 2025 alone—more than he has spent within his own country, at a time when we face profound crises.

“Since December 2025, Nigerians have not heard a word from their President. Reports indicate he opted for a holiday in Europe while the nation was plunged into a New Year marked by hunger, anxiety, and uncertainty. There was no New Year address, no national broadcast, no leadership voice to provide reassurance or guidance.”

Page 3

Nigeria, Turkey To Ease Visa Bottlenecks, Boost Business Ties

Justina Simon

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has received the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Mehmet Poroy, on a courtesy visit at the Ministry of Interior in Abuja.

Tunji-Ojo, who described the meeting as timely, said Nigeria and Turkey share strong historical and cultural ties that provide a solid foundation for enhanced collaboration between both countries.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Head of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Interior, Mrs. Mary Ali, the minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to a smart, structured and practical approach to international cooperation that promotes people-to-people contact and supports legitimate business engagement.

Ambassador Poroy highlighted recent improvements in visa facilitation for Nigerian businesspeople travelling to Turkey, following collaboration between Turkish authorities and Nigeria’s Ministry of Interior.

According to him, visa applications are now processed locally, with verified Nigerian businesspersons benefiting from faster processing timelines of three to four days.

The Turkish envoy, however, raised concerns over challenges faced by Turkish businesspeople seeking to visit Nigeria for trade fairs, investments and other commercial activities.

He noted that conflicting information on Nigerian visa arrangements for Turkish citizens has created confusion and requested written clarification to properly guide applicants.

A major request raised during the meeting was the inclusion of Turkey in Nigeria’s electronic visa (e-visa) system.

Poroy explained that the absence of a Nigerian visa office in Istanbul poses logistical difficulties, as applicants are required to travel to Ankara, adding that inclusion in the e-visa regime would significantly enhance business mobility between both countries.

In response, Dr. Tunji-Ojo assured that denying visas to genuine Nigerian or Turkish businesspeople is not in the interest of either country.

He stressed the ministry’s commitment to transparency, sustained dialogue and continuous improvement in visa administration, while reaffirming Nigeria’s openness to legitimate investors and international business partners.

The meeting also addressed concerns over the recognition of Nigerian marriage certificates by foreign missions.

The minister clarified that all marriage certificates issued under Nigerian law are constitutionally valid and should not require additional verification.

Poroy however acknowledged the issue and pledged to review the Turkish Embassy’s procedures, as both parties agreed to maintain continuous engagement aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Turkey.