The Presidency has confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will return to Nigeria on Tuesday, September 29, after a four-week trip to Europe. Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated that the President is "hale and hearty" and that his return date was shifted from the previous weekend due to a "slight adjustment" to his itinerary. Tinubu will land in Lagos, where he will observe the Independence Day ceremony and attend the premiere of a documentary on MKO Abiola.
Onanuga's statement comes amid concerns raised by former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi about Tinubu's whereabouts and his absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. Obi had questioned Tinubu's absence, but Onanuga clarified that the President had been on a working vacation and had continued to work during his stay in Europe. Tinubu had engagements with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré, and also facilitated a $7 billion deep-sea port in Ogun Waterside.
The Presidency had announced that Tinubu's trip was a working vacation forming part of his annual leave. During his stay in Europe, Tinubu remained in contact with officials at home and continued directing government affairs. He also ordered an independent investigation into the deaths of suspected illegal miners following their detention in Minna, Niger State. Vice President Kashim Shettima represented Tinubu at several official engagements, including the 81st UN General Assembly.
Onanuga argued that Tinubu was not the only prominent African leader absent from the UN General Assembly, citing South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. He also stated that Tinubu had publicly announced his annual vacation and delegated the UN assignment to Shettima. Onanuga criticized Obi for pretending to be unaware of Tinubu's whereabouts and asking questions about his absence.
Tinubu departed Abuja on August 30 for London to begin his working vacation. After spending about a week in London, he moved to Paris, France. The Presidency subsequently announced on September 21 that the vacation had been extended by a few days and that he was expected back in Nigeria at the weekend. However, with the earlier return date no longer holding, Onanuga said Tinubu would now arrive in Lagos on Tuesday.
While in Lagos, Tinubu will attend the national premiere of MKO, a documentary on the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and the June 12, 1993 presidential election struggle. The documentary is scheduled to premiere on October 1 before opening in cinemas nationwide the following day. Tinubu will also mark Nigeria's 66th Independence Anniversary on Thursday, October 1.
The President is expected to return to Abuja after completing his Independence anniversary engagements in Lagos. Onanuga reinforced the clarification about Tinubu's return date in a post on his verified X handle, @aonanuga1956, amid questions raised by Obi and others. With this confirmation, the Presidency has put to rest concerns about Tinubu's health and whereabouts.
Key points
- President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to return to Nigeria on Tuesday, September 29, after a four-week trip to Europe.
- Tinubu will attend the national premiere of MKO, a documentary on the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.
- The President will mark Nigeria's 66th Independence Anniversary on Thursday, October 1, in Lagos.
