Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has extended his working leave by one week and is expected to return to the country at the weekend. According to the presidency, Tinubu began his 21-day working vacation on August 30, when he departed for London. The president spent a week in London before moving to Paris, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bollore. During his absence, Tinubu has continued to direct the affairs of the nation.
The presidency has responded to criticism from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who had questioned Tinubu's absence at the 81st United Nations General Assembly. Atiku's insinuation was described as baseless and irresponsible by the presidency. Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented Tinubu at the UNGA, presented Nigeria's national statement at the global conference. The presidency emphasized that Tinubu had not breached any provisions of the 1999 Constitution by his long absence from work.
President Tinubu delegated Vice President Shettima to represent him at some official functions while he is away. Although Shettima left Abuja for New York to attend the UNGA, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, will continue to represent the president at events. The presidency stated that Tinubu has continued to keep in touch with home, directing the affairs of the nation, including ordering an independent panel to investigate the death of 37 illegal miners in Minna.
The Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, has been leading consultations with prominent traditional rulers in the country. The presidency described Atiku's criticism as an attempt to grandstand and seek cheap attention. Atiku, who is the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, was accused of trying to get attention as his campaign flounders.
Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Mr Tope Ajayi, defended Tinubu's extended leave, stating that he had only spent 15 out of the 21 working days' vacation he was constitutionally entitled to. Ajayi described Atiku as someone who likes to grandstand and seek cheap attention. According to him, Tinubu has not breached the constitution in any way.
The federal government emphasized that Tinubu mandated Shettima to represent him at official functions while he is away. The presidency also stated that Tinubu's extended leave will not affect the smooth running of the government. The president's spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, had earlier announced the extension of Tinubu's working vacation by a few days.
The development has raised concerns about who is in charge in Nigeria, with Atiku questioning Tinubu's prolonged absence. However, the presidency has maintained that the government is functioning smoothly, with Tinubu continuing to direct the affairs of the nation from abroad. The president's extended leave has sparked a heated debate about the constitutionality of his prolonged absence.
Key points
- The presidency has extended President Tinubu's working leave by one week, amid criticism from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
- Atiku had questioned Tinubu's absence at the 81st United Nations General Assembly, describing it as irresponsible and baseless.
- The presidency has defended Tinubu's extended leave, stating that he has not breached any provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
