President Bola Tinubu has extended his working vacation in Europe by a few days, with the Presidency saying he is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend.
The development came shortly after the President’s initially announced three-week vacation elapsed, triggering fresh questions from former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, over the exercise of presidential authority.
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London to begin what the Presidency described as a three-week working vacation.
After spending about a week in London, he travelled to Paris, France, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
Presidency Says Tinubu Is Still In Charge
In a statement on Monday, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu had extended his stay abroad but remained in touch with officials in Nigeria.
Onanuga said the President had continued directing the affairs of the country despite being away.
The Presidency cited Tinubu’s directive for 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 in Minna, Niger State.
“President Tinubu will return to Nigeria at the weekend, following the extension of his working vacation by a few days,” the statement said.
Atiku Asks, ‘Who Is In Charge?’
The extension has, however, opened a fresh political and constitutional debate.
Atiku questioned who is exercising presidential authority in Nigeria, arguing that Tinubu’s initial three-week leave had expired.
In a statement titled, “Who is in charge of Nigeria?”, Atiku cited Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides for a written declaration to be transmitted to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives when the President proceeds on vacation.
According to Atiku, such a declaration allows the Vice-President to perform the functions of President as Acting President.
He argued that Nigerians had not been shown any such letter transferring presidential authority to Vice-President Kashim Shettima.
“Today, Nigerians are entitled to ask a very simple constitutional question: Who is in charge of Nigeria?” Atiku asked.
He also called on the National Assembly to clarify the situation if no declaration had been transmitted within the period specified by the Constitution.
Shettima Also Outside Nigeria
The issue has attracted additional attention because Vice-President Kashim Shettima is currently in New York, where he is representing Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
Shettima left Abuja on September 20 and is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the global gathering.
The Presidency said that while Shettima is away, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, will continue to represent Tinubu at official functions where necessary.
Presidency Rejects Criticism
The Presidency has dismissed the concerns raised over Tinubu’s absence and non-attendance at the UN General Assembly.
Onanuga described the insinuations surrounding the President’s absence as irresponsible and said Shettima’s representation at the UNGA was sufficient for Nigeria to participate in the high-level meeting.
The government has maintained that Tinubu has remained engaged with developments in Nigeria and continues to issue directives on matters of national importance.
President Expected Back At Weekend
The latest extension means Tinubu will return to Nigeria later than initially announced.
No specific date has been given for his arrival, but the Presidency said he is expected back at the weekend.
His return will come amid preparations for the 2027 general elections, ongoing economic pressures and renewed political debate over the administration’s handling of issues ranging from petrol prices to insecurity and the deaths of suspected illegal miners in Niger State.
