From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu will return to Nigeria and resume official duties at the Presidential Villa immediately after the Easter holiday, the Presidency announced on Thursday, dispelling concerns about a leadership vacuum during his two-week working visit to Europe.
In a statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency emphasised that Tinubu has remained “fully engaged” in directing national affairs, including security operations, despite his absence.
The president departed Abuja for Paris on April 2 for what was described as a “strategic working visit” to assess his administration’s midterm performance and engage with stakeholders ahead of his second anniversary in office.
After concluding meetings in Paris, Tinubu travelled to London over the weekend, where he has maintained “constant communication” with security chiefs, cabinet members, and other key officials.
The Presidency confirmed that the president issued specific directives to address escalating security threats in states such as Plateau, Benue, and Kaduna, where recent kidnappings and communal clashes have raised public alarm.
The announcement follows mounting pressure from opposition leaders, including Labour Party’s Peter Obi and PDP’s Atiku Abubakar, who had called for Tinubu’s immediate return amid the worsening security crisis. The Presidency, however, dismissed claims of a governance gap, stating that “all national obligations are being met without interruption” under the President’s remote leadership.
Onanuga clarified that Tinubu’s return to Abuja aligns with the originally communicated two-week timeframe, with his physical resumption of duties slated for the week following the Easter break.
“The President’s commitment to his duties remains unwavering, and his administration continues to function effectively,” the statement read.
The Presidency urged Nigerians to remain calm, assuring citizens that “governance proceeds seamlessly” under Tinubu’s leadership.