Okupe, who said that those criticising President Tinubu for his trip to the UK are misinformed, defended the President, saying he travelled to the UK to avoid political interference in his cabinet reshuffling.
Dr. Doyin Okupe, a former Director General of Peter Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organisation, has knocked Nigerians for their criticism of President Bola Tinubu's two-week work leave in the United Kingdom.
Okupe, who said that those criticising President Tinubu for his trip to the UK are misinformed, defended the President, saying he travelled to the UK to avoid political interference in his cabinet reshuffling.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos, Okupe responded to the growing backlash over the President's decision to travel abroad for a vacation rather than stay in the country.
Okupe emphasised that such criticisms lack insight.
He said, "I’ve come across many misguided critiques of the President's holiday trip.
"From my perspective, and based on how leaders typically behave during periods of national challenges, I believe the President intentionally chose to distance himself from officials, friends, and political associates to reflect on the past 17 months of his administration and strategize for the future."
He further explained that this decision was aimed at avoiding unnecessary political distractions and giving the President space to contemplate potential changes in his cabinet.
“At the same time, it is to carefully avoid undue interference from political associates, in his thought process to rejig his cabinet.
“Staying anywhere in Nigeria definitely will not afford him such a peaceful and serene atmosphere to achieve his objective,” he said.
"Being in Nigeria wouldn’t provide him with the tranquil and reflective environment he needs to achieve these objectives," Okupe added.
He expressed confidence that the President’s return after this period of reflection would bring positive developments for the Nigerian people, leading to much-needed comfort and relief for the masses.
SaharaReporters had reported that President Tinubu left Abuja on October 2 for the United Kingdom.
According to a statement from Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Tinubu will use this time for both a working vacation and a retreat to assess his administration’s economic reforms.