Where Is Our Leader? We are not asking for perfection; we demand presence.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com

“Obi Demands Accountability, Questions Tinubu’s Whereabouts Amid National Crisis.”

In an era marked by escalating socioeconomic collapse, violent insecurity and mounting public despair, the question reverberating across Nigeria’s political landscape is as simple as it is damning: Where is the President when the nation is in crisis?

On January 12, 2026, former Labour Party presidential candidate and former Governor of Anambra State Peter Obi issued an unprecedented call for accountability, publicly questioning the prolonged absence and silence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu amid what he described as a “NATIONAL EMERGENCY.” Obi’s statement, widely disseminated on social media and confirmed across multiple news outlets, framed this inquiry not as partisan politics but as a fundamental requirement of democratic leadership.

At the core of Obi’s intervention is a stark charge: Nigeria is in the grips of deepening crises (extreme poverty, mass unemployment, hunger, insecurity and worsening public health) yet its chief executive appears largely absent from the national stage. Obi’s demand for leadership presence is not an abstract critique; it is rooted in data and observable national realities.

A Nation Gripped by Crisis.

Obi’s statement highlights alarming statistics that paint a bleak picture of Nigeria’s condition:

By the end of 2025, Nigeria was projected to host approximately 140 million people living in extreme poverty, the highest such figure globally.

Widespread hunger continues to afflict millions of households, with food insecurity deepening across urban and rural areas alike.

Youth unemployment (already one of the world’s most severe) exceeds 80 million people, crippling economic prospects and social stability.

Healthcare systems struggle under high infant mortality rates, positioning Nigeria near the bottom of global indicators for child survival.

These challenges (rampant poverty, unemployment, hunger and poor health outcomes) are not random occurrences but the product of systemic governance failures and economic dislocations that have continued for years under successive administrations.

Under such conditions, any functioning democratic leader must lead visibly, speak directly to the people and provide a strategic path forward. Instead, as Obi and others have noted, Nigerians have been left largely in the dark.

The President’s Absence: Numbers Tell a Story.

Perhaps the most striking part of Obi’s rebuke lies in his detailing of President Tinubu’s travel record:

“Spending 196 days abroad in 2025 alone (more time outside the country than within it) while Nigeria grapples with profound crises.”

This figure, widely reported across leading Nigerian news outlets, underscores a rare and troubling phenomenon: the head of state has spent more than half the year outside his own country during a period of severe national stress. Such extended absences raise legitimate questions about executive engagement with core governance duties.

What makes this absence deeper than mere travel patterns is the accompanying silence and a lack of direct communication from the president to the nation:

NO NEW YEAR ADDRESS WAS DELIVERED AT THE BEGINNING OF 2026.

NO NATIONAL BROADCAST TO REASSURE CITIZENS DURING WIDESPREAD ECONOMIC ANXIETY HAS BEEN RECORDED.

Major security developments (including purported foreign military actions on Nigerian soil) were learned by citizens through foreign media and external sources rather than from the Presidency itself.

In a democracy, such prolonged absence and silence from the nation’s highest office are without precedent and deeply corrosive to civic trust.

What Leadership Looks Like: Lessons from Global Experiences.

Internationally, leaders facing crises are measured not only by policy initiatives but by visibility, communication and symbolic solidarity with the citizenry.

As political scientist Dr. Amina Suleiman of the University of Lagos notes, “A leader must inhabit the nation’s struggles as much as its triumphs. Visibility during hardship is not symbolic but it is governance itself.”

Similarly, governance expert Professor Lawal Ibn Yaro of Bayero University argues that:

“Leadership is measured not in press releases, but in presence and in standing before the people when they need reassurance, direction and hope.”

These insights resonate globally. During the COVID-19 pandemic, leaders like New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern delivered frequent, direct messages to citizens, helping to foster public confidence even amid uncertainty. In contrast, leadership silence (especially during crisis) often signals disengagement and erodes national morale.

Critics and Counterarguments.

Defenders of the Presidency argue that many of President Tinubu’s trips were “working vacations” or engagements at international forums essential for Nigeria’s global diplomacy. They also contend that governance requires delegation and that not all presidential work needs public broadcast.

Yet such defenses ring hollow when millions are unemployed, the nation’s economy shows fragile growth and citizens feel abandoned in the face of rising insecurity. The central critique is not that a president travels; but that he fails to communicate and lead while crises intensify at home.

The Cost of Leadership Silence.

Obi’s statement carries a grave warning:

“In a time of crisis, the absence of leadership is not just troubling; it is perilous. Silence in the face of crisis is the loudest form of failure.”

This assertion underscores a deeper truth: leadership failure does not only manifest in policy missteps and it is equally evident in absence, invisibility and silence. When citizens cannot see or hear their leader, mistrust spreads, unity falters and governance itself becomes dysfunctional.

Political psychologist Dr. Ifeoma Nwachukwu explains that:

“Silence from leadership during crisis fosters anxiety, fuels speculation, and weakens the psychological fabric of national unity. People require reassurance and clarity or else fear fills the void.”

In the absence of that reassurance, disillusionment spreads. Young Nigerians, already disenchanted by lack of opportunity, interpret silence as abandonment. Regional tensions deepen when there is no central voice articulating a shared vision of national recovery.

A Call for Accountability, Not Chaos.

Obi’s demand (“Where is the President?”) is, at its core, a demand for accountability. Democratic governance mandates that leaders justify their decisions, articulate strategies and provide transparency to the people they serve.

Obi reinforces this:

“We are not asking for perfection; we demand presence.”

This distinction is critical. Expecting perfect policy solutions during crisis may be unrealistic. Expecting leadership presence, direct communication, and accountability, however, is not only realistic but it is indispensable.

Obi’s broader vision, encapsulated in his concluding affirmation (“A New Nigeria is not just possible; it is essential”) demands that leadership vacuums be filled with vision, clarity and engagement.

Why This Matters: The Price of Leadership Vacuity.

As Nigeria confronts multiple crises, the absence of its chief executive (both physically and rhetorically) raises profound questions about governance, responsibility and national direction.

Peter Obi’s forceful demand for accountability is not mere opposition rhetoric; it is a call grounded in observable reality, democratic principle and national urgency. In a nation where millions endure hunger, insecurity and lack of opportunity, silence is not neutrality, it is neglect.

If Nigeria is to emerge from its existential challenges, leadership must be present, accountable and communicative. The people deserve nothing less.

Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi): The Priceless Gift to Ogun West, Ogun State, and Nigeria* 

 *BY ABU-SATAR HAMED* 

*In every generation, a people are blessed with leaders whose lives transcend politics and whose service becomes a lasting testament to purpose, sacrifice, and impact.*

In Ogun West Senatorial District of Nigeria, that blessing is embodied in Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, fondly and widely known as Yayi – a man whose leadership has redefined representation and rekindled hope across communities.

More than a legislator, Senator Adeola is a bridge between governance and the grassroots; a statesman whose name has become synonymous with development, compassion, and results.

Today, he stands as a priceless gift not only to Ogun West, but to Ogun State and Nigeria at large.

Born on August 10, 1969, Senator Adeola’s journey is a classic story of diligence meeting destiny. Trained as a chartered accountant, he built a solid professional foundation in finance, auditing, and taxation before venturing into politics.

His early career instilled in him discipline, accountability, and a deep understanding of public finance – qualities that would later define his legislative excellence.

From the private sector to public service, Senator Adeola Yayi’s transition was driven not by ambition alone, but by a compelling desire to contribute meaningfully to society.

Those who knew him early often attest that leadership was never an accident in his life – it was inevitable.

Senator Adeola’s political journey is one marked by steady growth, increasing responsibility, and proven competence.

He served meritoriously in the Lagos State House of Assembly, where his grasp of financial matters earned him key roles. He later moved to the House of Representatives, where as Chairman, Public Accounts Committee, he became a national symbol of transparency and fiscal oversight.

His elevation to the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria further amplified his influence. Today, as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Adeola occupied one of the most strategic positions in Nigeria’s legislative architecture – overseeing the nation’s budgeting process and ensuring that public funds translate into public good.

Since assuming office as Senator representing Ogun West, Yayi has transformed representation from rhetoric into reality.

Across Yewa-Awori land, his imprint is visible, tangible, and deeply felt. Infrastructure development has received unprecedented attention- rural and urban roads, public buildings, markets, and community facilities now stand as symbols of renewed government presence.

Communities once neglected now feel included in the national development conversation.

Electricity interventions, including the provision of transformers and power infrastructure, have restored economic life to several towns and villages, improving productivity and quality of life.

What truly distinguished Senator Adeola is his belief that development must touch people directly. Through well-structured empowerment programmes, thousands of traders, artisans, farmers, youths, and women have received financial support, tools, equipment, and training to rebuild and expand their livelihoods.

His empowerment initiatives are not handouts – they are strategic investments in human capacity. By strengthening small businesses and local enterprises, he has stimulated economic resilience across Ogun West.

In agriculture, his support for farmers through inputs, equipment, and funding has boosted food production and rural prosperity, reinforcing food security and self-sufficiency.

Senator Adeola’s commitment to education is rooted in his understanding that no society rises above the quality of its human capital. Scholarships, bursaries, and educational grants have opened doors for thousands of students who might otherwise have been left behind.

Beyond classrooms, he has invested heavily in skills acquisition and youth development, equipping young people with vocational and technical skills that prepare them for today’s competitive economy. In doing so, he has turned potential restiveness into productivity and hope.

Despite his national stature, Senator Adeola remains deeply accessible. His relationship with traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, professional associations, and ordinary citizens reflects a leadership style anchored in humility and empathy.

He listens. He responds. He delivers.

This rare combination of power and compassion has earned him respect across political, ethnic, and religious divides. It is no surprise that he is widely referred to as “The People’s Senator.”

While Ogun West proudly claimed him, Senator Adeola’s impact resonated nationally. His role in shaping Nigeria’s fiscal direction, advocating accountability, and promoting equitable development underscored his importance to the Nigerian project.

National honours and recognitions bestowed upon him serve as formal acknowledgment of what the people already know – that Yayi is a statesman of uncommon value.

Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola’s story is not one of arrival, but of continuity. His legacy is still unfolding – measured not only by completed projects, but by restored hope, empowered citizens, and a renewed belief in what leadership can be.

In Ogun West, his name has become a symbol of purposeful governance. In Ogun State, a reference point for effective representation. In Nigeria, a reminder that public office can still be a platform for genuine service.

Indeed, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) is a priceless gift – one whose impact will echo for generations to come.

May Allah grant “The People’s Senator” his dream – and make our collective dreams a reality come 2027.

_**Abu-Satar Hamed is a renowned journalist, the Otun Baaroyin of Ilaro-Yewa, Ogun State; Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, StarTrend Int’l Magazine and online platform, and the National Coordinator of the League of Yewa-Awori Media Practitioners (LOYAMP).*_

Oyo MattersAttack: PDP Guber Aspirant, Ajadi Commiserates With Govt, Families Of Slain National Park Guard

A frontline Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo has expressed his heartfelt sympathy to the families of victims of the recent bandit attack at the Old National Park in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Ajadi in a statement on Friday commiserated with the Oyo State Government, families of those that were murdered during the attack as well as the entire people of Oyo State.

It could be recalled that gunmen on Tuesday night invaded the National Park Service office, leaving five people dead. The attack was carried out around 9:00pm.

In reaction to the attack, Ajadi condemned the killing of innocent residents and the destruction of properties by suspected bandits, describing the incident as unfortunate and heartbreaking.

He commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his swift and proactive response to the tragic incident and assurance of strengthened security architecture in the region.

He however, warned that the attack is a reminder that there is need to rebuild the security architecture in the state, especially in the bother areas with other states.

According to him, “I sympathise with the victims of the recent attack in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. My heartfelt sympathy goes to the government of Oyo State, families of the victims and the entire people of the state.

“I also appreciate the swift response and proactive response of our dear Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde. We should take the attack as a timely consciousness on the need to rebuild the security architecture in the state especially in the border areas.

“I pray that the state will continue to enjoy peaceful atmosphere and we will no more witness this kind of attack.”