The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has publicly challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to explain his unexplained five-day absence following the conclusion of the 2025 BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Despite returning to Nigeria in the early hours of Sunday, July 13, the President had been out of public view since the summit ended on Monday, July 7, without any official communication about his whereabouts.
Full Statement from the ADC
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) extends a weary welcome to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for finally returning to the country five days after the end of the 2025 BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Since the summit concluded on Monday, July 7, all other world leaders who attended promptly returned to their countries, briefed their citizens, and resumed their duties. However, President Tinubu only reappeared in Abuja in the early hours of Sunday, July 13—without any statement, briefing, or explanation for the delayed return.
A five-day absence is significant for a nation like Nigeria, grappling with severe challenges including insecurity and a fragile economy that continues to make life difficult for the majority of Nigerians. The President was on official duty, not on holiday, making this unexplained delay unacceptable. We therefore demand a clear and transparent explanation for this absence.
A Pattern of Disregard for Accountability
The ADC further expresses concern that this lack of accountability during overseas trips has become a disturbing hallmark of the current administration.
- January 2024: A “private visit” to France extended into a two-week disappearance with no photos or statements from the President.
- April 2024: After attending the World Economic Forum in the Netherlands and Riyadh, the President remained silent for nine days following the summit’s conclusion on April 29, only resurfacing on May 8.
- August 2024: Following official engagements in Beijing, the President vanished from public view on September 5 and reappeared mysteriously in London on September 11, a six-day gap without explanation or communication to the National Assembly.
- August 2024 (later that month): Another “brief work stay” in Paris saw the President remain out of contact for three days before quietly returning without any public disclosure.
Each of these mysterious absences has fueled speculation and rumors that harm Nigeria’s political stability and international reputation.
Call to Nigerians and the Government
We urge Nigerians to take these patterns seriously. A president who disappears without explanation cannot be trusted to lead effectively or address the nation’s pressing crises. A leader who evades accountability lacks the moral authority to ask citizens for sacrifices. Moreover, a ruling party that excuses these repeated disappearances shows contempt for the people and a disregard for transparency.
Signed:
Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
Interim National Publicity Secretary
African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Spokesman of the Coalition
This statement from the ADC highlights critical concerns about leadership transparency and accountability in Nigeria, calling for urgent clarity from the President and his administration.
