Tinubu Extends Working Vacation, Returns To Nigeria At Weekend

President Bola Tinubu has extended his working vacation by a few days and is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend, the Presidency has announced.

Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for London to begin the working vacation before proceeding to Paris, France, where he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré, whose media interests include Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group.

Despite being away from the country, the Presidency said Tinubu had remained in contact with officials at home and continued to direct the affairs of government.

It cited his directive for the establishment of an independent panel to investigate the deaths of 37 illegal miners in Minna following their detention by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, among other official decisions taken during the period.

While Tinubu has been away, Vice President Kashim Shettima has represented him at some official engagements. Shettima travelled to New York to represent the President at the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where he is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has also been representing the President at official events and will continue to do so during Tinubu’s extended stay abroad.

On the political front, the Presidency said the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, has been leading consultations involving prominent party leaders and traditional rulers across the country.

The Presidency also dismissed what it described as “baseless insinuation” by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying firm headed by an ex-convict over Tinubu’s non-attendance at the UN General Assembly.