Tinubu Extends Working Vacation, Expected Back in Nigeria at Weekend
President Bola Tinubu is set to return to Nigeria this weekend after extending his working vacation, which included engagements in London and Paris with figures like French President Emmanuel Macron. Despite his absence, President Tinubu remained active in national affairs, delegating duties to Vice President Kashim Shettima for events such as the UN General Assembly, amidst political consultations and a strong rebuttal from the presidency against critics.
President Bola Tinubu has extended his working vacation in Europe by a few days and is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend, according to the Presidency. Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for London to begin a three-week annual leave, before moving to Paris after spending about a week in the United Kingdom.
In France, he met with President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré, whose group has interests including Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group.
According to presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu has remained in contact with Nigeria and continued directing government affairs during his absence. The Presidency cited his September 18 directive for an independent investigation into the reported deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody in Minna, Niger State, with the Federal Government subsequently constituting a 10-member investigative committee.
While away, Tinubu also delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him at some official functions, including the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, while Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume has represented him at other engagements.
The Presidency also said Shettima will present Nigeria’s national statement at the UN General Assembly on Tinubu’s behalf. On the political front, Senator Abubakar Yari, Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, has been leading consultations with traditional rulers, while the Presidency dismissed what it described as “baseless insinuation” from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a US-based lobbying firm over Tinubu’s absence from the UNGA.
The Presidency maintained that Tinubu remains engaged with national affairs and will return to Nigeria at the weekend following the short extension of his working vacation.