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The member representing Agege Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr. Wale Ahmed, has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s extended stay abroad, saying his absence from Nigeria does not mean governance has stopped.
In a statement on Monday, Ahmed said the controversy over the President’s working vacation had been unnecessarily politicised, urging critics to distinguish between legitimate scrutiny and political rhetoric.
“The President is entitled to his annual leave. What Nigerians should be concerned about is whether government is functioning and presidential responsibilities are being discharged.”
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for a three-week working vacation in Europe, beginning in London before moving to Paris. The Presidency subsequently announced that the vacation had been extended by a few days.
Ahmed said Tinubu’s activities while abroad showed that the President remained involved in official and investment-related engagements.
While in Paris, Tinubu met French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré, with discussions involving investment and economic cooperation. The Presidency said Tinubu’s meeting with Bolloré focused on expanded investments in Nigeria’s creative and digital economy.
Tinubu also witnessed the signing of Memoranda of Understanding between the Ogun State Government and DP World for the proposed Gateway Deep Seaport and Blue Marine Special Economic Zone, projects expected to attract more than $7 billion in initial investment.
Ahmed said: “Here is a President who, while on vacation, is still engaging investors and international leaders on opportunities that can benefit Nigeria. That is not abandonment of duty.”
Tinubu was also received by Macron for a private dinner at the Élysée Palace during his stay in Paris.
Ahmed argued that presidential responsibilities could continue even when the President was temporarily outside the country.
“Being outside Nigeria does not mean being outside government. The President can receive briefings, issue directives and take decisions from anywhere,” he said.
The lawmaker also defended Tinubu’s decision not to personally attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, noting that Vice-President Kashim Shettima was assigned to represent him and deliver Nigeria’s national statement. The Presidency had similarly said that Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, was representing the President at some official engagements.
“The Vice-President is not a ceremonial official. He is constitutionally positioned to assist the President in discharging executive responsibilities,” Ahmed said.
He also cited Tinubu’s directive for an investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State as evidence that the President remained engaged with developments at home.
Tinubu had ordered a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the September 17 incident, while the Federal Government subsequently constituted an independent investigative committee.
“If the President is receiving reports, issuing directives and taking decisions on matters affecting Nigerians, it is difficult to sustain the argument that he has abandoned governance,” Ahmed said.
The lawmaker acknowledged that questions over constitutional compliance could legitimately be raised but said such concerns should be pursued through appropriate institutions.
“There is a difference between asking whether constitutional procedures have been followed and saying that the President has abandoned his mandate,” he said.
Ahmed urged opposition parties to focus their scrutiny on the economy, security, infrastructure, employment and other substantive national issues.
He maintained that the effectiveness of government should be assessed by its decisions, policies and outcomes rather than the temporary physical location of the President.
