Japa Saga: Tinubu, Keyamo, and Other Nigerian Politicians “Relocate” Abroad
In view of what can be referred to as the Japa saga or migration of Nigerians of various professions to other parts of the world, the syndrome seems to have spread to even the politicians, just after the 2023 general elections, even though they allegedly went on vacation overseas.
According to reports, the politicians moved their meetings overseas before the general elections, especially the G5 Governors and president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
These politicians were said to have moved from London to Paris, leaving the shore of the pride of Africa, Nigeria, to hold meetings.
As seen in the Nigerian dailies, they have been moving overseas to “get rest” after a long campaign season, away from supporters and lobbyists seeking to get a piece of the new pie, ignoring beautiful options within Nigeria like the Yankari Games Reserve, Obudu Cattle Ranch, and other beautiful places they could go to for vacation across the country. Some of the politicians used the lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia as an opportunity to leave the country.
At some point, it began to look and feel like anyone who mattered in the political calculation was either in Mecca or Saudi Arabia or other countries across the world
President Muhammadu Buhari, President-Elect, Kashim Shettima, and Femi Gbajabiamila were all in Mecca at the same time.
More importantly, to emphasize the difficulties in resting in Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari stated that he may cross into the Niger Republic if he is not allowed to rest in Daura after the May 29 handover, even though some politicians are not using the pilgrimage as an excuse, rather, they are overseas taking a break from the gruesome campaign.
Bola Tinubu
Media houses brought to the notice of the public that the president-elect left Nigeria for over a month after the arduous campaigns and the presidential elections and he is reportedly in Paris, the capital of France, amid reports that he is getting medical attention.
He wasn’t in Nigeria for the supplementary elections, only periodic statements from his media team. Initially, his team had announced that he would be in Mecca for the lesser hajj, however, no evidence to confirm if he indeed stepped on the soil of Saudi Arabia.
Tinubu’s love for resting in Europe is not new, even during the campaign, London and Paris were mini-campaign headquarters during the electioneering period. Periodically, the hashtag “#WhereIsTinubu” was a major trend on social media, specifically Twitter.
During the campaign, Tinubu used many overseas trips to stimulate his base, specifically with the release of the Seven Seconds video where he was seen workingout on a bike.
Tinubu is expected back in the country before the May 29 inauguration.
Another popular Nigerian politician is Gbenga Daniel, a former Governor of Ogun State and Senator-elect for Ogun East Senatorial District who is also reportedly in Paris for holiday.
Although it is unclear if the choice of Paris is connected to the presence of Tinubu in the city, in a recent tweet, Daniel said his wife suggested the city as an ideal place for a vacation.
“After a grueling but exciting electioneering, my dear wife, Yeye Olufunke Daniel, and I decided to take a much-needed holiday in one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Paris.
“This time out affords me the opportunity to reset and recharge, as we resume the task of moving our dear country Nigeria forward,” he tweeted.
Other politicians like Festus Keyamo who is in the U.S for vacation, Umar Bago who moved to Mecca for Hajj and is now in an undisclosed location to rest and Salihu Mustapha who went to the UK for vacation after the election but who’s present location isn’t confirmed arent left out in this Japa saga.
The big question here is will this saga come to an end?
