Reuben Abati has criticised African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar over his attack on President Bola Tinubu’s three-week working vacation in Europe.
Abati described Atiku’s criticism as “quite embarrassing” and questioned the basis of the concerns raised by the former vice-president’s camp.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Monday, the former presidential aide said Atiku’s team had raised questions that were not properly researched.
According to Abati, the criticism failed to provide enough context about Tinubu’s absence from Nigeria. He said the Atiku camp appeared to have rushed to judgement over the president’s decision to spend three weeks outside the country.
The controversy follows Tinubu’s decision to embark on what has been described as a working vacation in Europe.
The president’s absence has drawn attention because Nigerians continue to face economic pressure and other social challenges.
Meanwhile, Atiku criticised Tinubu’s absence in a statement issued on Sunday.
The ADC presidential candidate argued that the president’s prolonged stay outside Nigeria came at a difficult time for the country. He described the situation as a disturbing vacuum in political leadership.
Atiku’s comments have since triggered fresh debate over how the president should balance official duties, foreign engagements and domestic responsibilities.
However, Reuben Abati defended the need to examine the facts before reaching conclusions about the president’s activities abroad.
The disagreement also highlights the growing political tension ahead of Nigeria’s next general election. Political figures are increasingly using public platforms to challenge the government and shape public opinion.
For now, the dispute centres on whether Tinubu’s three-week stay in Europe should be viewed as a legitimate working engagement or as an unacceptable absence from the country.
As political arguments intensify, Nigerians are likely to pay closer attention to how leaders explain their decisions and respond to criticism.
