The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed serious concerns regarding what it terms President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's "mysterious absence" following his participation in the 2025 BRICS summit held in Brazil.
According to the opposition party, President Tinubu disappeared from public view after the conclusion of the summit in Rio de Janeiro on July 7th and only resurfaced in Nigeria in the early hours of Sunday, July 12th—five days later—without any official communication regarding his whereabouts during this period.
In a statement released on Sunday, ADC's National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, demanded explanations from the presidency, stating: "President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must come clean about where he has been since the BRICS summit ended. He vanished from public view on July 7th, the day the summit wrapped up, and only reappeared quietly in Abuja five days later. No updates, no official briefings—just silence."
Abdullahi highlighted that during Tinubu's absence, other world leaders who attended the same summit had already returned to their respective countries, resumed their national duties, and addressed their citizens about the outcomes of the international meeting.
"But our President remained absent," he said. "He didn't address Nigerians, didn't give updates on the outcomes of the summit, and didn't even explain the reason for his delay."
A Pattern of Unexplained Absences
The ADC further alleged that this incident is not isolated but part of a troubling pattern of unexplained presidential trips and absences. The party referenced a similar situation in January 2024, when what was initially described as a "private visit" to France reportedly turned into a two-week disappearance without official updates or communications.
"In every case, there was no formal communication with Nigerians. No transmission of power to the Vice President, no letters to the National Assembly—just a vacuum," Abdullahi emphasized.
The opposition party expressed particular concern about these unexplained absences occurring at a time when Nigeria faces significant challenges, including widespread insecurity and economic hardship. They argued that such disappearances only serve to deepen public anxiety.
"A country in crisis cannot afford a president who disappears without notice," the statement warned. "It sends the wrong message. Leadership requires presence, and more importantly, accountability."
The ADC accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of treating Nigerians with disdain by failing to provide credible explanations for the President's absences. "When leaders go off the radar without accountability, it chips away at public trust," Abdullahi stated. "The ruling party's repeated excuses insult the intelligence of Nigerians. We demand transparency—not cover-ups."
As of press time, the presidency has not issued any response to the concerns raised by the ADC.
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