Tinubu extends working vacation

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

This was disclosed in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, posted on X on Monday.

According to the statement, Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London to begin his working vacation and later travelled to Paris, France, after spending a week in London.

The statement added that during his stay in Paris, Tinubu met with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bollore, whose media group includes Canal+, Multichoice and Universal Music Group.

It also stated that despite Tinubu’s absence from the country, he had continued to keep in touch with developments at home and direct the affairs of the nation.

Onanuga said President Tinubu ordered 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 matters he had handled while away.

The statement further revealed that Tinubu had delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him at some official functions during his absence.

According to the statement, Shettima left Abuja on September 20 for New York to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly, while the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, would continue representing the President at official events.

Onanuga added that Shettima, who is representing Tinubu at the United Nations General Assembly, would present Nigeria’s national statement at the global conference.

On the political front, the statement said the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, had been leading other notable party leaders in consultations with prominent traditional rulers across the country.

The Presidency also described the insinuation by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying firm over Tinubu’s non-attendance at the United Nations General Assembly as irresponsible.

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The statement reads partly, “Since he began the vacation, President Tinubu has continued to keep in touch with home, directing the affairs of the nation, like ordering an independent panel to investigate the death of 37 illegal miners in Minna, following their detention by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, among other things.

“While away, President Tinubu delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him at some official functions. Though Shettima left Abuja on September 20 for New York to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who has also been representing the President at events, will continue to do so.

“On the political front, the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Senator Abubakar Yari, has been leading notable party leaders in consultations with prominent traditional rulers in the country.

“The Presidency described the baseless insinuation by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying firm headed by an ex-convict about President Tinubu’s non-attendance at UNGA as irresponsible.

“Vice President Shettima, who is representing the President at the global conference, will present Nigeria’s national statement.”