President Tinubu's Mysterious Absence Sparks National Alarm, Political Firestorm

The Presidency has firmly asserted that President Bola Tinubu is fully capable of governing Nigeria from any location worldwide, amid mounting public scrutiny and criticism from opposition figures regarding his extended stay abroad. In a statement issued on Sunday, September 27, by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency clarified that President Tinubu is "hale and hearty" and does not require physical presence in Abuja to perform his executive duties in this digital age. This assurance came after the President exhausted his official three-week leave, which the Presidency later described as a "working vacation."

President Tinubu commenced his absence from Nigeria on August 30, initially traveling to London for his annual leave. He subsequently journeyed to Paris, France, where he engaged in various official activities. During his time in France, he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and French businessman Vincent Bolloré. A significant achievement during this period was his facilitation of agreements between the Ogun State Government and DP World for the development of the Gateway Deep Sea Port and the Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone. These projects, located in Ogun Waterside, are projected to attract over $7 billion in initial investment and create more than 50,000 direct jobs, aiming to ease pressure on the Lagos port corridor and enhance Nigeria’s maritime trade capacity.

Despite these reported engagements, President Tinubu's prolonged absence has drawn sharp criticism from various political quarters. Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in 2023, publicly questioned the President’s whereabouts and criticized his decision to miss the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York for the third consecutive year. Obi highlighted the contrast with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama’s impactful address at the same global gathering, emphasizing the importance of presidential representation for Africa's most populous nation. He urged Nigerians to pray for the President's return and leadership in addressing national challenges.

Further opposition concerns were voiced by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by former minister Kabiru Turaki, who criticized the extension of President Tinubu’s vacation, suggesting he should have proceeded to the UNGA after his European engagements. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) also raised questions regarding the constitutional implications of the prolonged absence of both the President and Vice President Kashim Shettima, with some lawmakers calling for a National Assembly review of constitutional procedures for presidential absence.

Separately, a statement released through the media aide of Atiku Abubakar questioned the exact reason for the President’s continued stay in Paris following the expiration of his initial three-week vacation. This statement highlighted that French President Emmanuel Macron had attended international engagements and returned home, while Nigeria's leader remained abroad amidst pressing security, economic, and cost-of-living crises at home. It also raised concerns about the constitutional requirement for a letter transferring presidential functions, noting that former President Muhammadu Buhari had done so on five occasions by transmitting formal Section 145 communications to the National Assembly. The statement questioned whether such a letter had been transmitted and suggested that the President’s inner circle might be wary of Vice President Shettima being handed acting presidential authority.

In response to these criticisms, the Presidency consistently maintained that President Tinubu is "hale and hearty" and that his physical absence from Abuja has not hindered his ability to discharge responsibilities. Bayo Onanuga reiterated that in this digital age, the President does not need to be physically present to perform his duties and confirmed his return to Nigeria "this week." The Presidency also defended President Tinubu’s decision to skip the UNGA by stating that Nigeria was adequately represented by Vice President Shettima, who delivered the country’s national statement, and that the President remained in contact with officials at home, continuing to direct government affairs. Upon his return, President Tinubu is expected to attend events marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary and the premiere of a film commemorating the late MKO Abiola.