Doyin Okupe, a former presidential aide, believes that President Bola Tinubu’s trip to the United Kingdom will provide him with an opportunity to reflect on his administration's policies. On October 2, the presidency announced that Tinubu would be traveling from Abuja to the UK for a two-week vacation as part of his annual leave. The statement indicated that Tinubu would use this time as a working vacation to contemplate his administration’s economic reforms before returning home.
However, many Nigerians have criticized the president's vacation amid widespread economic challenges. In an interview with NAN in Lagos on Thursday, Okupe defended Tinubu against his critics, labeling them as "uninformed."
He explained that the president requires a tranquil environment to reassess his cabinet, free from the influence of political associates. "I have seen many misguided criticisms of the president’s trip abroad," Okupe said. "From my perspective, presidents often need to distance themselves during national crises to reflect on their administration's past 17 months and plan a new direction."
He emphasized that staying in Nigeria would not provide the peaceful setting necessary for achieving this objective. Okupe concluded that Tinubu's return from this "retreat" would lead to a brighter future for Nigerians, offering relief and comfort to the populace.