By Okeke Eunice
Former presidential spokesperson, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has stated that those criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s two-week holiday in the United Kingdom are uninformed.
Okupe shared his opinion during an interview with a national television on Thursday in Lagos.
His remarks were in response to the backlash regarding the President choosing to vacation abroad rather than staying in Nigeria.
The former Director-General of Peter Obi’s Presidential Campaign commented, “I have come across numerous ill-informed criticisms of the President’s holiday abroad.”
“From my perspective, based on how Presidents typically act during times of national crisis, I believe the President has deliberately distanced himself from officials, friends, and associates to reflect on the past 17 months and plan a new direction for his administration.
Additionally, this is to prevent any undue influence from political associates as he carefully considers reshuffling his cabinet.”
“Remaining anywhere in Nigeria would not provide him with the calm and peaceful environment needed to accomplish his goal.”
He expressed confidence that the President’s return from this “retreat” would mark positive developments for Nigerians and provide the much-needed relief for the public.
Tinubu left Abuja on October 2 for a two-week vacation in the United Kingdom.
According to a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu would use the two weeks as a working vacation and a period of reflection on his administration’s economic reforms.