President Tinubu Extends Working Vacation

President Bola Tinubu has extended his working vacation by a few days and is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend, according to an official announcement from the Presidency.

President Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for London to start his vacation before traveling to Paris, France, following a one-week stay in the United Kingdom.

While in Paris, the President held bilateral discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron and met with prominent French investor Vincent Bollore, whose business empire includes Canal+, MultiChoice, and Universal Music Group.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the executive branch stated that President Tinubu has remained fully engaged with domestic governance and continues to direct state affairs remotely.

The Presidency highlighted that President Tinubu recently mandated an independent presidential panel to probe the circumstances surrounding the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.

The statement added that Vice President Kashim Shettima has been delegated to represent the President at key official events during his period abroad.

Vice President Shettima departed Abuja on September 20 for New York to represent President Tinubu at the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where he will deliver Nigeria’s national address.

With the Vice President attending UNGA in New York, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, will continue representing the President at designated national state functions.

On domestic political matters, the Presidency noted that the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, has been steering delegations of ruling party leaders in consultations with prominent traditional rulers across the country.

The executive branch also addressed remarks made by former Vice President and opposition leader Atiku Abubakar, who publicly questioned President Tinubu’s absence from the UN General Assembly and demanded an official explanation.

Dismissing the criticisms alongside statements from a United States-based political lobbying firm, the Presidency characterized the assertions as irresponsible and baseless insinuations.

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