Tinubu Extends Working Vacation, Returns to Nigeria This Weekend

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his working vacation by a few days and will now return to Nigeria at the weekend, the Presidency has announced.

Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for London to begin the 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.

Bolloré’s business interests include media and entertainment companies, including Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group.

The Presidency said Tinubu had remained in contact with developments in Nigeria throughout his stay abroad and continued to direct the affairs of the country.

According to the Presidency, one of the directives issued by the President while away was the establishment of an independent panel to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Minna following their detention by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

Tinubu had also delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him at some official engagements during his absence.

Shettima, however, left Abuja on September 20 for New York to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

The Presidency said the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who has also been representing the President at official events, would continue to do so while Tinubu remains abroad.

Shettima is representing Tinubu at the UN General Assembly and is expected to present Nigeria’s national statement.

On the political front, the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, has been leading consultations with prominent traditional rulers across the country, according to the Presidency.

The Presidency also reacted to criticism over Tinubu’s absence from the UN General Assembly.

In a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency described what it called the “baseless insinuation” by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying firm concerning Tinubu’s non-attendance at the UNGA as “irresponsible”.

The statement said Shettima, who is representing the President at the global gathering, would deliver Nigeria’s national statement.

“Vice President Shettima, who is representing the President at the global conference, will present Nigeria’s national statement,” the statement said.

Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend after the extension of his working vacation by a few days.