A fresh wave of public concern is sweeping through Nigeria’s social media space, with the phrase “Where is Tinubu?” topping trends on X (formerly Twitter), as citizens question the visibility and public presence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The hashtag began trending on Friday after several users pointed out President Tinubu’s absence from major public functions, including recent high-level national and international engagements.
The renewed interest has triggered a flurry of commentary, memes, and calls for transparency from the presidency.
Many Nigerians expressed frustration over what they describe as a recurring pattern of disappearance, with Vice President Kashim Shettima frequently standing in for the president at major events.
“Where is Tinubu? Is Shettima now the president?” one user asked.
Another added, “Tinubu is missing again. The country is on autopilot. We deserve better.”
Activist Aisha Yesufu weighed in, saying, “We don’t even know where Tinubu is. We can’t continue running this country like idiots!”
The online outcry has also been amplified by political observers, who noted that the president was not seen at recent events.
His absence has drawn comparisons with former President Muhammadu Buhari, who was often criticised for his extended stays abroad without clear communication to Nigerians.
The current trend is laced with satire, as social media users share “missing person” posters featuring Tinubu’s image, and videos highlighting his silence in recent weeks.
The phrase “Emilokan,” once used by Tinubu to assert his political destiny, has also been repurposed mockingly in tweets such as:
“Emilokan, but he’s never around. Where is our Emilokan president?” one user asked.
Despite the growing concern, the presidency has yet to issue a formal response to the trending topic or offer clarity on Tinubu’s current location or schedule.
