Paul Ibe, a media aide to African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, has called on the Presidency to disclose the details of President Bola Tinubu's substantive engagements in Paris. Ibe made the demand in a post on his X account, reacting to the Presidency's explanation of Tinubu's prolonged stay outside Nigeria. He emphasized that the issue is not whether the President is "hale and hearty," but why he has remained abroad beyond the initially announced three-week vacation.
The Presidency had announced that Tinubu's vacation had been extended "by a few days" and that he would return to Nigeria at the weekend. However, Ibe argued that describing the President's stay as a "working vacation" without providing details of his official engagements does not adequately address concerns surrounding his prolonged absence. He stressed that Nigerians should be allowed to judge whether the extended stay is justified.
Ibe questioned the use of the proposed $7 billion Ogun deep-seaport project as part of the justification for Tinubu's activities in France. He noted that the agreement was between the Ogun State Government and DP World, with Tinubu witnessing the signing. This, he implied, does not necessarily require the President's physical presence in France.
Ibe also rejected comparisons between Tinubu's absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York and the absence of the presidents of South Africa and Egypt. He argued that the circumstances surrounding the absences of those leaders had been publicly explained and formally accounted for. This, he suggested, is not the case with Tinubu's extended stay in France.
The Atiku's aide further referenced French President Emmanuel Macron, who hosted Tinubu at the Élysée Palace before traveling to New York for the UN General Assembly, while Tinubu remained in France. Ibe expressed surprise that Macron was able to attend the UNGA while Tinubu stayed behind, describing it as "housekeeping duties" that could be handled by others.
Ibe's comments followed a fresh defense of Tinubu's absence by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. Onanuga stated that Tinubu was "hale and hearty" and would return to Nigeria during the week after spending several weeks abroad on what the Presidency described as a working vacation. He maintained that the President had continued to perform his duties while abroad, including engaging with investors in France.
The President is expected to return to Nigeria this week to participate in activities marking the country's 66th Independence Anniversary, according to Onanuga. Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for his annual working vacation, initially traveling to London before moving to Paris. The Presidency later announced that the vacation had been extended by a few days.
Key points
- Atiku's aide Paul Ibe challenges the Presidency to disclose details of President Tinubu's engagements in Paris.
- Ibe questions the justification for Tinubu's prolonged stay in France beyond the initially announced three-week vacation.
- The Presidency has defended Tinubu's absence, stating that he was "hale and hearty" and continued to perform his duties while abroad.
