Phrank Shaibu, Special Assistant on Public Communication to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Bayo Onanuga, spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu, engaged in a heated exchange on Sunday over the president’s recent travel from the United Kingdom to France.

Shaibu criticized the government, asserting that the Federal Government is not a “travel agency” for Tinubu to embark on foreign trips at will. Tinubu recently announced a two-week vacation in France, a move that has sparked controversy amid the country’s worsening economic crisis.

Defending the president, Onanuga insisted that Tinubu has the right to enjoy his private time. “President Tinubu is on leave for two weeks. He is not restricted to the UK. It is his private time. He can go anywhere he so desires. He is still observing his leave,” Onanuga said.

Shaibu fired back, calliStart slideshowng Onanuga’s remarks insensitive given the economic hardships Nigerians are enduring. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Shaibu mocked, “The president is on vacation and can jet off to wherever his heart desires because apparently, leadership is like a Netflix subscription – you can pause it whenever you please.”

He further criticized the government’s attitude toward citizens struggling with inflation, fuel price hikes, and insecurity. “It’s funny how the same office that demands sacrifices from citizens – tightening belts, paying more taxes, enduring hardships – suddenly becomes a playground of personal indulgence at the top,” Shaibu added.

Shaibu concluded by stating, “Public office isn’t a personal getaway; it’s a duty that requires being accountable 24/7, even on leave.” He also slammed Onanuga’s defense of the president’s freedom to travel, saying it reflected a lack of regard for Nigerians’ suffering. “Nigerians deserve leadership that matches the gravity of the challenges they face, not one that treats the presidency like a travel agency,” he said.