The All Progressives Congress has urged opposition parties to raise the quality of their engagement and stop “meaningless noise-making” over President Bola Tinubu’s trip to Europe.
The APC made the call in a statement issued on Monday in Lagos by its Lagos State Spokesman, Seye Oladejo, while reacting to criticisms of the trip by the African Democratic Congress.
Oladejo said the opposition’s comments reflected a poor understanding of modern governance and international diplomacy.
“The latest outburst by the ADC over President Tinubu’s Europe trip is a familiar dance of ignorance and desperation.
“When confronted with serious governance, strategic leadership and results-driven diplomacy, the opposition predictably resorts to noise, misinformation and pedestrian politics,” Oladejo said.
He added that Nigeria could not be governed in isolation in a highly interconnected global environment.
“Nigeria is not governed from a village square. Serious leadership entails constant engagement with global partners, investors, development institutions and strategic allies,” he said.
According to him, Tinubu’s European trip is aimed at advancing Nigeria’s economic interests, strengthening bilateral relations, attracting investment, and reinforcing the country’s standing in the comity of nations.
“This trip is not about sightseeing, as the opposition would like Nigerians to believe, but about purposeful engagement to reposition the country,” he added.
Oladejo said it was misleading to suggest that governance was limited to the President’s physical presence within national borders.
“Only the intellectually lazy assume leadership is confined to being physically present at home. The President governs with intent, structure and continuity.
“The machinery of government remains in motion through clear policy direction, delegated authority and strong institutions.”
The APC spokesman said the opposition’s fixation on presidential travels exposed what he described as its lack of concrete ideas.
“Having no roadmap, no credible economic alternative and no security blueprint, the ADC has resorted to monitoring flight schedules and issuing press statements rooted in envy and ignorance,” Oladejo said.
He noted that many of those criticising current foreign engagements had remained silent during past administrations’ trips that produced little value for the country.
“Under President Tinubu, international engagements are clearly aligned with Nigeria’s economic recovery agenda, foreign direct investment drive, energy transition goals and infrastructure financing,” he said.
Oladejo said Nigerians could distinguish between leadership focused on national repositioning and opposition politics driven by distraction.
“Nigerians are not deceived. They see the difference between a President working tirelessly, both at home and abroad, and an opposition trapped in cheap headline-chasing,” he said.
He advised opposition parties to urgently improve the quality of their contributions to national discourse.
“As the year winds down and Nigerians look ahead with renewed hope, the opposition must up its game.
“Serious times demand serious alternatives, not recycled outrage and shallow theatrics,” Oladejo said.
He reaffirmed the APC’s confidence in President Tinubu, saying the Renewed Hope Agenda is a practical and ongoing process requiring both domestic reforms and purposeful international engagement.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains firmly in charge, decisive, deliberate and globally engaged, for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians,” he said.
