Prioritize Local Tourism, Healthcare Atiku Urges Tinubu

Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate genuine commitment to the recently approved “Nigeria First” policy by choosing Nigerian destinations for vacations and seeking medical care locally.

In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku criticized what he described as Tinubu’s ongoing “love affair with Paris and London” for vacations and medical check-ups.

Atiku urged the President to consider Nigeria’s own rich tourist attractions, such as the Obudu Cattle Ranch in Cross River State, the Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi State, and the Erin Ijesha Waterfalls in Osun State, for his future holidays.

“If he’s serious about patriotism, his next vacation should be at Obudu Cattle Ranch, Yankari Game Reserve, or Erin Ijesha Waterfalls. Nigeria is beautiful—unless, of course, the President thinks otherwise,” the statement read.

Atiku also challenged Tinubu to lead by example when it comes to healthcare. He recommended that the President use Nigerian hospitals like the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), National Hospital Abuja, University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, or the world-class Akwa Ibom Specialist Hospital in Uyo for medical check-ups.

“The era of jetting off for medical tourism while preaching self-reliance must end. Anything less is sheer hypocrisy,” Atiku asserted.

The former vice president argued that if these hospitals are deemed sufficient for ordinary Nigerians, they should also be adequate for the nation’s leader.

These remarks come in the wake of the Federal Executive Council’s recent approval of the “Nigeria First” policy, designed to prioritize locally produced goods and services in government procurement. Atiku contends that real leadership demands more than just policy statements, but actual practice and personal sacrifice.

“This government’s addiction to foreign luxuries while demanding sacrifice from suffering Nigerians is the height of insincerity. True leadership isn’t about photo ops or soundbites; it’s about setting the tone by example,” he concluded.

As of now, the Presidency has not responded to Atiku’s statements. However, the call for local tourism and healthcare use by national leaders is likely to resonate with many Nigerians who have long advocated for stronger domestic support and reduced reliance on foreign services.