The Presidency has dismissed concerns over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s prolonged absence from Nigeria, saying the President is “hale and hearty” and will return to the country this week.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this while responding to questions surrounding Tinubu’s continued stay abroad after the expiration of his initially announced three-week working vacation.
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London before proceeding to Paris, France. The Presidency subsequently announced on September 21 that the President had extended his working vacation by a few days and was expected to return at the weekend.
As of September 28, however, the President had not returned, prompting renewed questions from opposition figures and political groups.
Onanuga said the President had continued to perform his official duties while abroad, including holding meetings with investors.
“Nigeria’s President is hale and hearty. He has been on a working vacation, which he is perfectly entitled to,” Onanuga said, arguing that Tinubu does not have to be physically present in Abuja to discharge his responsibilities as President.
According to the presidential aide, Tinubu recently held discussions in France with investors, including Vincent Bolloré of the Bolloré Group. The State House said the meeting focused on expanding investment in Nigeria’s creative and digital economy, including film, entertainment and fibre-optic infrastructure.
Onanuga also pointed to the proposed $7 billion Gateway Deep Seaport and Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone as one of the investment developments associated with the President’s engagements in France.
Opposition raises questions
The explanation from the Presidency followed renewed criticism from opposition figures over the President’s continued absence.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi have both questioned the circumstances surrounding Tinubu’s extended stay abroad.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council has also called on the Presidency to provide clear information about the President’s location, the reason for the prolonged stay and the constitutional arrangements governing the country during his absence.
The opposition’s concerns have partly centred on Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides for the President to transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives when proceeding on vacation or otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office.
The Presidency, however, maintains that Tinubu remains in charge and has continued to discharge his presidential responsibilities while abroad. Senate President Godswill Akpabio had similarly stated earlier that there was no vacancy in the Presidency and that Tinubu remained in control of government affairs.
Return expected this week
According to Onanuga, Tinubu is expected back in Nigeria this week and will participate in activities marking the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
He is also expected to attend a Lagos premiere of a film commemorating the late businessman and democracy campaigner, Moshood Kashimawo Abiola.
The Presidency’s latest statement therefore places the focus on Tinubu’s expected return, while the political debate over the length of his absence and the constitutional procedure surrounding presidential authority continues.
