The presidency has moved to alleviate concerns about President Bola Tinubu's extended stay abroad, assuring Nigerians that he is in good health and will return to the country this week. According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Tinubu has been on a working vacation and has continued to perform his official duties from abroad. This statement comes after growing criticism of the president's absence from Nigeria.
President Tinubu left Nigeria on 30 August for London, initially planning a three-week annual leave, which the presidency later described as a working vacation. He then travelled to Paris, France, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron and French businessman Vincent Bolloré. During his time in France, Mr Tinubu attended the signing of agreements between the Ogun State Government and DP World for the development of the Gateway Deep Sea Port and the Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone.
The projects, expected to attract over $7 billion in initial investment and create more than 50,000 direct jobs, aim to ease pressure on the Lagos port corridor and enhance Nigeria's maritime trade and export capabilities. The proposed deep seaport at Ogun Waterside is planned to have a four-kilometre berth and an 18-metre draft. The presidency asserts that Mr Tinubu's physical absence from Abuja has not hindered his ability to discharge his responsibilities.
According to Mr Onanuga, in this digital age, President Tinubu does not need to be physically present in Abuja to perform his duties. The president's absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, however, has drawn criticism from opposition politicians. Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, questioned Mr Tinubu's whereabouts and criticized his absence from the global gathering.
Mr Obi highlighted Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama's address to the 81st UN General Assembly, emphasizing the importance of presidential representation at the event. He noted that the president of Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, had been absent from the UNGA for three consecutive years. Although Vice President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria, delivering the country's national statement, Mr Obi argued that the question remains as to why the president was not present.
The presidency has previously defended Mr Tinubu's decision to skip the UNGA, citing adequate representation by Mr Shettima and the president's continued contact with officials at home. However, the criticism has extended beyond Mr Obi, with a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party and the African Democratic Congress questioning the constitutional implications of the prolonged absence of both Mr Tinubu and Mr Shettima.
Despite the criticism, Mr Onanuga confirmed that President Tinubu would return home this week and attend events marking Nigeria's 66th Independence Anniversary and the premiere of a film commemorating the late MKO Abiola. The presidency's statement aims to reassure Nigerians that the president is in good health and continues to direct government affairs despite his physical absence.
Key points
- President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria this week.
- The president's absence from the UNGA has drawn criticism from opposition politicians.
- The presidency assures Nigerians that Mr Tinubu has been working and is in good health despite his prolonged absence.
