By Stephen Simon
President Bola Tinubu will return to Nigeria at the weekend after extending his working vacation in Europe by a few days, the Presidency has announced.
Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for London, where he began the vacation before travelling to Paris, France, after spending about a week in the United Kingdom. In Paris, he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu had remained in contact with officials at home and continued to direct government affairs while abroad. He cited the President’s order for an independent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Minna, Niger State, following their detention by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
During the President’s absence, Vice President Kashim Shettima has represented him at several official engagements. Shettima, however, travelled to New York on September 20 to represent Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where he is scheduled to deliver Nigeria’s national statement.
The Presidency said Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, who has also represented Tinubu at official functions, would continue to do so while the President remains abroad.
On the political front, Onanuga said the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, had been leading consultations with prominent traditional rulers across the country.
The President’s extended stay has also generated political and constitutional debate, particularly because Tinubu and Shettima are both currently outside Nigeria. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has questioned the constitutional arrangements governing the exercise of presidential powers during the President’s absence, while the Presidency has maintained that Tinubu remains engaged in the affairs of government.
The Presidency also dismissed comments by Atiku and a United States-based lobbying firm concerning Tinubu’s absence from the UNGA as “baseless insinuations” and “irresponsible.” It maintained that Nigeria is fully represented at the global gathering through Shettima.
Tinubu is expected back in Nigeria at the weekend, following the completion of his extended working vacation.
