Former Senator Olusola Adeyeye has expressed support for President Bola Tinubu's prolonged stay outside Nigeria, describing it as a working vacation. However, Adeyeye disagreed with the decision to have both Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima abroad at the same time. This statement comes amid growing concerns over Tinubu's absence and criticism of the administration's handling of the economy and cost-of-living crisis.
The Presidency had announced on August 30 that Tinubu would be taking a three-week annual leave in Europe, with London as his first destination. The President later extended his working vacation by a few days and was expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend. Adeyeye argued that there was nothing unusual about a President taking a working vacation, as it was not expressly prohibited by Nigerian law.
Adeyeye drew a distinction between the President's vacation and the decision to have both the President and his deputy outside the country simultaneously. He stated that if he were Tinubu, he would have sent his Minister of Foreign Affairs or ambassador instead. Adeyeye noted that Nigeria has a permanent representative in New York, and many world leaders boycotted the General Assembly without causing a collapse.
The Presidency had stated that while Tinubu was away, he continued to direct the country's affairs and delegated Shettima to represent him at some official functions. Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, would also represent the President at some events. Adeyeye dismissed suggestions that Tinubu's absence meant he was disconnected from government, citing activities undertaken by Tinubu during the trip.
Adeyeye rejected opposition attempts to discredit the administration's economic policies, arguing that increased allocation of resources to states had improved their ability to meet salary obligations and execute projects. He cited Osun State, where workers could now see their salaries being paid regularly. Adeyeye attributed this development to the economic engineering of the Tinubu administration.
Adeyeye also defended the administration's education interventions, recalling how financial difficulties once prevented members of his generation from pursuing higher education. He compared current efforts to finance tertiary education with the indigent students' scheme associated with the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Adeyeye argued that such interventions could change the lives of young Nigerians from poor families.
Adeyeye further rejected calls for the restoration of fuel subsidy, particularly the position attributed to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and other opposition figures. He argued that subsidy removal was not an entirely new policy direction introduced by Tinubu and that previous leaders had also advocated or attempted reforms in the petroleum sector.
Key points
- Adeyeye supports Tinubu's working vacation but disagrees with simultaneous vacation with Shettima.
- Adeyeye defends administration's economic policies and education interventions.
- Adeyeye rejects calls for restoration of fuel subsidy.
