Tinubu Extends Working Vacation, Sets Weekend Return to Nigeria
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Grace Chidimma Ibe
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his working vacation in Europe by a few days and is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend, the Presidency announced on Monday.
Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for London, United Kingdom, where he began his working vacation. After spending about a week in London, the President travelled to Paris, France, where he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu has remained in contact with officials in Nigeria and continued to direct government affairs despite being outside the country.
The Presidency said the President had continued to take decisions on matters of national importance during his stay abroad.
Among the directives attributed to Tinubu was the order for an independent panel to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Minna, Niger State, following their detention by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The deaths have generated public concern and prompted investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Tinubu ordered the probe as part of efforts to establish what happened to the detainees and determine responsibility.
While the President has been away, Vice President Kashim Shettima has represented him at several official engagements.
Shettima travelled to New York on September 20 to represent Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where he is scheduled to deliver Nigeria’s national statement on behalf of the President.
The Presidency said Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, would continue to represent Tinubu at official functions in the country where necessary.
The development followed questions from former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar over Tinubu’s absence from the UN General Assembly.
Atiku had questioned the President’s non-attendance at the international gathering and sought an explanation for his absence.
Responding, the Presidency rejected the criticism and described the comments by Atiku and a United States-based lobbying firm as irresponsible. The government maintained that Tinubu’s representation at the UNGA by the Vice President was part of the administration’s arrangements for handling official duties while the President remains abroad.
“Vice President Shettima, who is representing the President at the global conference, will present Nigeria’s national statement,” the Presidency said.
Tinubu’s extended stay has also included diplomatic and business engagements in France. During his time in Paris, he met Macron and Bolloré, whose business interests include Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group.
The Presidency did not give a specific date or time for Tinubu’s return but said he would be back in Nigeria at the weekend.
The President’s absence comes as his administration continues to deal with domestic security, economic and governance issues, while members of his government handle scheduled engagements at home and abroad.
The State House said the extension of the working vacation was for a few additional days, after which Tinubu would return to Nigeria and resume his activities from the country.
