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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has extended his working vacation in Europe by a few days, with the Presidency announcing that he will return to Nigeria at the weekend while dismissing criticism of his absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The development was disclosed on Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who described insinuations by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying firm over Tinubu’s absence from the global gathering as “irresponsible.”
According to Onanuga, Tinubu’s continued stay in Europe has not affected the running of government, as the President has remained in touch with officials at home and continued to direct affairs of the nation.
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London to begin his working vacation and later proceeded to Paris, France, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
The President’s meeting with Bolloré focused on investments in Nigeria’s creative and digital economy, including film, entertainment and fibre-optic infrastructure.
Bolloré’s business interests include Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group.
While away, Tinubu also directed an independent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.
The President said the circumstances surrounding the deaths required investigation, stressing that the victims’ status as suspected illegal miners did not remove their right to life and humane treatment while in government custody.
“Government will not tolerate mass deaths arising from official negligence, dereliction of duty or failure by public officials to protect the lives placed under their care,” Tinubu said.
The Presidency said Vice President Kashim Shettima had represented the President at some official engagements during his absence, while Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, had also represented him at official functions.
Shettima is currently in New York representing Nigeria at the 81st UN General Assembly and is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement.
The Presidency, while responding to criticism of Tinubu’s absence from the UNGA, said the President’s delegation of the assignment to Shettima ensured that Nigeria was represented at the global gathering.
It specifically described as “irresponsible” the insinuations by Atiku and the US-based lobbying firm concerning the President’s absence.
Meanwhile, political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections have continued, with the Presidency saying the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, has been leading consultations with prominent traditional rulers.
Tinubu’s vacation was initially announced on August 30 as a three-week working holiday in Europe.
However, the Presidency said on Monday that the President had extended the vacation by a few days and would return to Nigeria at the weekend.
