President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after a month-long stay in Europe, dismissing concerns about his health and saying he was ready to resume work.
Tinubu arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday evening after spending several weeks in London and Paris.
He was received by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; and other government and party officials.
Tinubu: ‘Healthy, Sound and Ready to Go’
Speaking after his arrival, Tinubu dismissed reports about concerns over his health, describing them as rumours associated with politics.
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Asked about his health, the President said he is, “Ready to kick, ready to walk,” adding ” There’s nothing wrong.”
He added, “Rumour will always be emanating from politics, but the facts remain, I’m here. Healthy, sound, and ready to go.”
Tinubu also described his time in Europe as enjoyable, saying: “I enjoyed myself. Fantastic.”
APC Supporters Welcome President
The President’s arrival was greeted by APC supporters who gathered at the airport from about 3:00 p.m.
The supporters wore APC-themed outfits, displayed placards and sang in support of Tinubu and his administration.
Some of the placards carried messages including “Welcome Mr President,” “Thank You for State Police,” and “Thank You for Your Bold Reforms.”
The reception also attracted governors, senior APC figures and members of the City Boy Movement.
Security personnel were deployed around the airport, while traffic was temporarily stopped for about 15 minutes as the presidential convoy departed.
Tinubu’s Four-Week Stay in Europe
Tinubu left Abuja on August 30 for what the Presidency initially described as a three-week working vacation.
He spent the first part of his stay in London before travelling to Paris. The Presidency announced on September 21 that he had extended his stay by a few days, saying he remained engaged with matters of state while abroad.
During his stay in Paris, Tinubu held a private meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace to discuss bilateral relations and areas of cooperation.
He also met French businessman Vincent Bolloré and executives of the Bolloré Group over investment opportunities and the localisation of the group’s operations in Nigeria.
Tinubu also witnessed the signing of agreements between the Ogun State Government and DP World on the proposed Gateway Deep Seaport and Blue Marine Economic Zone in Ogun Waterside.
Return Comes Amid Constitutional Dispute
Tinubu’s return came amid controversy over the length of his stay abroad and whether the constitutional procedure for a presidential vacation was followed.
The controversy intensified after Vice-President Kashim Shettima left Nigeria on September 20 to represent the country at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Section 145(1) of the 1999 Constitution provides that when the President proceeds on vacation or is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office, he shall transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The provision states that the Vice-President shall perform the functions of President as Acting President until the President transmits a declaration to the contrary.
The African Democratic Congress and other opposition voices questioned whether Tinubu transmitted the required declaration.
The African Action Congress also instituted a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja challenging the President’s absence and the National Assembly’s handling of the matter.
The Presidency, however, maintained that Tinubu remained in contact with officials in Nigeria and continued to direct government affairs from abroad. The State House said the President continued to issue directives while away, including ordering an independent panel to investigate the deaths of illegal miners in Minna.
Atiku Questions Tinubu’s Prolonged Absence
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar also criticised Tinubu’s prolonged stay outside Nigeria, questioning the constitutional and political implications of the President’s absence.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, argued that the Constitution provides a procedure for presidential absence and questioned who was exercising presidential authority during Tinubu’s extended stay abroad.
In a September 21 statement titled “Who is in charge of Nigeria?”, Atiku cited Section 145 of the Constitution and said the provision requires a written declaration to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives when the President proceeds on vacation or is otherwise unable to perform his functions.
Earlier, after Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30, Atiku criticised the decision to embark on the European vacation, arguing that the President’s absence came at a difficult period for the country. He said there was no constitutional vacuum but described the situation as a “disturbing vacuum of political leadership.”
The Presidency maintained that Tinubu remained engaged with national affairs throughout the trip.
Atiku Demands Explanation for Third UNGA Absence
Atiku also questioned Tinubu’s decision not to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, marking the President’s third consecutive absence from the annual gathering.
Tinubu did not attend the 79th UNGA in 2024 or the 80th in 2025, with Shettima representing Nigeria on both occasions. The Presidency again designated Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st session in 2026.
Atiku said repeated delegation to the Vice-President could not fully substitute for the President’s personal participation at a major international diplomatic gathering.
He argued that the UNGA provides an opportunity for heads of government to defend national interests, hold bilateral meetings, pursue investment and trade opportunities and engage directly with other world leaders.
Atiku also questioned whether Tinubu’s previous legal history in the United States had any bearing on his decision not to attend the gathering, while stressing that he was not claiming the President was legally barred from entering the country.
The Presidency rejected the criticism. Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris said Shettima was attending the General Assembly with the full mandate of the President and that Nigeria would be fully represented.
Presidential aide Ademola Osodi also said Tinubu’s absence would not diminish Nigeria’s diplomatic standing or its role in African affairs.
Jimoh Ibrahim Defends Tinubu’s Working Leave
Nigeria’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, defended Tinubu’s extended stay abroad, arguing that the President did not breach the Constitution because he continued to work while outside the country.
Speaking on Channels Television, Ibrahim said Tinubu remained engaged in national matters and should not be regarded as having abandoned his constitutional responsibilities.
He cited the President’s economic and diplomatic engagements while abroad as evidence that he continued to perform official duties.
Ibrahim also argued that modern communication technology enables heads of government to conduct official business from outside their countries.
He said Nigerian officials remained in contact with Tinubu during the UN General Assembly and defended the roles played by Shettima and Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar in representing Nigeria at the international gathering.
Ibrahim separately defended the decision for Tinubu not to attend the 81st UNGA, saying Nigeria retained its prominent seating position at the gathering and that he would not have recommended that the President travel to New York simply to deliver a 15-minute speech.
Bode George Warns Opposition Against Disunity
Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olabode George, said opposition parties could give the APC greater political space if they failed to unite ahead of the 2027 elections.
George urged opposition leaders to resolve their differences and build stronger political structures capable of challenging the ruling party.
He also questioned the prospects of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar securing the presidency on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, arguing that opposition politicians needed to settle their strategic differences before the 2027 contest.
According to George, persistent disagreements, personal ambitions and other divisions could undermine efforts to present a coordinated alternative to the APC.
He said opposition parties needed functioning structures and clear rules rather than platforms dominated by individual interests.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.