The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to lead by example by frequenting Nigeria’s health facilities for all his medical examinations. Obi made this appeal during a press conference on the state of the nation in Abuja on Thursday.
The former Anambra State governor emphasized that using facilities such as the National Hospital and regional Federal Medical Centres would encourage Nigerians to do the same and help end the trend of medical tourism abroad. “It is time for you to visit our national hospitals. Consider, for example, that your next medical examination be conducted at one of our National Hospitals or regional Federal Medical Centres, such as the FMC in Sokoto, Birnin Kebbi, Calabar, Umuahia or Akure, among others,” Obi stated.
He added that such visits would allow the President to assess the state of healthcare facilities available to Nigerians and understand the condition of hospitals and clinics, enabling informed decisions on how to upgrade and make them efficient.
In the past 18 months, President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima have undertaken 42 trips across 27 countries, collectively spending over 180 days on foreign engagements. Analysis shows that Tinubu has logged 124 days abroad, visiting 16 countries on 29 trips, accumulating over 127 flight hours. Critics have speculated that some of these trips were for medical reasons.
Obi insisted that it was high time Tinubu started taking responsibility as an effective leader by addressing domestic issues. He also urged the President to travel by road to observe the condition of highways, citing his own experience with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, which led to the reconstruction of parts of a federal highway.
Obi dismissed speculation about a merger arrangement with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party and the New Nigeria People’s Party, rallying all lovers of democracy to oust the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2027.
