President Bola Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria this week after spending several weeks in Europe on a working vacation, according to his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Onanuga said on Sunday that the President is “hale and hearty” and has continued to discharge his official responsibilities while away from the country.
In a post on X, the presidential aide said Tinubu’s absence from Abuja had not stopped him from working, adding that the President had been holding meetings with investors in France.
He said Tinubu had also facilitated a $7 billion deep-sea port project in Ogun Waterside, an initiative of the Ogun State Government.
Onanuga Defends Tinubu’s UNGA Absence
Onanuga also defended Tinubu’s decision not to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
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He compared the President’s absence with those of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, saying neither country had generated controversy over its leader’s decision to stay away from the gathering.
“The Nigerian President announced he was taking his annual vacation and delegated attendance to his able and dependable Vice President,” Onanuga wrote.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented Tinubu at the UNGA, where he delivered Nigeria’s position on issues including reform of the United Nations Security Council.
Onanuga Criticises Peter Obi
The presidential aide also criticised Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in the 2023 election, over his questions about Tinubu’s whereabouts.
Onanuga said Obi was aware that the President had announced his annual vacation but still questioned where he was.
“Yet Peter Obi pretends to be unaware of President Tinubu’s whereabouts and asks the puerile question his followers are asking on X,” he said.
Tinubu Expected Back This Week
According to Onanuga, Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria in time for activities marking the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
He said the President would also attend the premiere of a film about the late Moshood Abiola in Lagos as part of activities honouring the former politician.
Onanuga described Abiola as “the martyr of the democracy we enjoy today.”
Tinubu’s return had earlier been uncertain following a last-minute change to his travel plans.
The President had initially been expected to return to Nigeria on Sunday after spending weeks in Europe on his working vacation.
Sources in the Presidency had earlier said Tinubu would arrive in Lagos, where he was expected to spend up to a week before proceeding to Abuja.
Onanuga’s latest statement indicates that the President is now expected back in the country later this week.
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.