Tinubu extends vacation, returns to Nigeria this weekend

President Bola Tinubu has extended his working vacation by a few days and is expected to return to Nigeria this weekend, the Presidency has said.

Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London, United Kingdom, where he began the vacation before travelling to Paris, France, after spending a week in London.

While in Paris, the President held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bollore, whose business interests include Canal+, Multichoice and Universal Music Group.

According to a statement issued on Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu has remained in contact with Nigeria and continued to direct government affairs despite being abroad.

The statement said the President, among other directives, ordered an independent panel to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in Minna following their detention by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

While Tinubu has been away, Vice-President Kashim Shettima has represented him at some official engagements.

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

Onanuga said the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, would continue to represent the President at official functions during his absence.

The Presidency also addressed the controversy surrounding Tinubu’s absence from the UN General Assembly, describing comments by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying firm as “irresponsible.”

Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the UNGA in New York on behalf of the President.

Meanwhile, on the political front, the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, has been leading consultations with prominent traditional rulers alongside other senior party leaders, according to the Presidency.

Onanuga said the consultations formed part of ongoing political engagements while the President remains on his working vacation.