The Presidency has dismissed concerns over President Bola Tinubu’s prolonged absence from Nigeria, saying he is “hale and hearty” and has continued to attend to official matters while on a working vacation in Europe.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made the clarification on Sunday amid questions over Tinubu’s whereabouts and his absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
“Nigeria’s President is hale and hearty. He has been on a working vacation, which he is perfectly entitled to,” Onanuga said.
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London to begin a three-week annual vacation before travelling to Paris, presidntFrance. The Presidency later extended his stay by several days.
According to Onanuga, the President has remained in touch with officials in Nigeria and continued directing government affairs while abroad.
He cited Tinubu’s meetings in France as evidence of his official engagements, including meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
The Presidency also pointed to the recent signing of agreements between the Ogun State Government and DP World for the development of the Gateway Deep Seaport and Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone.
The agreements, signed in Paris on September 24 in Tinubu’s presence, involve an initial investment of more than $7bn, with the projects expected to create more than 50,000 direct jobs when fully developed.
The proposed Gateway Deep Seaport at Ogun Waterside is expected to provide an alternative maritime gateway and reduce pressure on the Lagos port corridor.
On Tinubu’s absence from the UN General Assembly, the Presidency said Nigeria had delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent the President.
Shettima travelled to New York on September 20 for the 81st UN General Assembly, where he was scheduled to deliver Nigeria’s national statement.
Onanuga also pointed out that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi were absent from the high-level gathering, with their countries represented by other officials.
The explanation comes as the President’s extended stay abroad has generated questions from political opponents and sections of the public.
Onanuga specifically criticised former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate Peter Obi for questioning Tinubu’s whereabouts, saying Obi was “pretending” not to know where the President was.
The Presidency had earlier announced that Tinubu would return after extending his working vacation. The latest schedule indicates that he is expected back in Nigeria on Tuesday, September 29, with Lagos now set to be his point of arrival.
Tinubu is expected to remain in Lagos for activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary on October 1 before returning to Abuja.
He is also scheduled to serve as chief host at the Nigerian premiere of MKO, a documentary about the life and political struggle of late businessman and June 12 presidential candidate Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.
The documentary is scheduled to premiere at the National Theatre in Lagos on October 1 before its nationwide cinema release the following day.
The Presidency’s latest statement seeks to draw attention to Tinubu’s official engagements abroad while addressing questions surrounding his absence from Abuja and the UN gathering.
