Arise Television Morning Show presenter Rufai Oseni has argued that President Bola Tinubu is free to run Nigeria remotely from France, insisting that citizens must accept the consequences of their electoral choice.
Speaking on Tuesday about the president’s prolonged absence and frequent overseas trips, Oseni said Nigerians have little basis to complain because they elected a leader who has repeatedly demonstrated a preference for spending extended periods abroad.
“You get what you vote for, and I don’t know why Nigerians are complaining,” he stated. “President Tinubu has shown you that he’s constantly going to be away, that he is more at peace in France than any part of the world. So you voted him in.”
Oseni pointed to the pattern of long absences, noting that Tinubu spent more than 20 days abroad at the start of the year and is currently on a trip expected to total around 27 days. “That’s his modus operandi,” he added.
The broadcaster also raised concerns about the value of these foreign engagements, questioning whether the reported N37 billion spent on trips has translated into tangible investments for Nigeria.
He stressed that he was interested only in actual investments that have arrived in the country, not mere memoranda of understanding or announced intentions.
Oseni further criticised the president’s decision to remain abroad amid the deaths of 37 suspected miners in Niger State custody.
He suggested Tinubu should have returned, at least for symbolic reasons, to take charge of the response and demonstrate leadership on the ground.
Nevertheless, he concluded that if the president prefers to direct affairs from overseas, as some of his aides have indicated is possible, he is entitled to do so.
“If he even deems it that it’s France that he wants to run the country from, he can go ahead. That’s what Nigerians voted for. So it’s what you voted for. I don’t think there’s any problem with that,” Oseni said.