Tinubu extends working vacation

Abdullateef Fowewe

President Bola Tinubu will return to Nigeria at the weekend after extending his working vacation by a few days, the Presidency has announced on Monday.

Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London to begin the trip, spending a week there before moving on to Paris.

In France, he held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and met businessman Vincent Bolloré, whose media group includes Canal+, Multichoice and Universal Music Group.

The Presidency said the President has remained in touch with affairs at home throughout the trip, issuing directives as needed.

Among actions taken was an order for an independent panel to investigate the deaths of 37 illegal miners in Minna after their detention by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

While abroad, Tinubu delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him at selected official functions.

Shettima left Abuja on September 20 for New York to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where he will present Nigeria’s national statement on behalf of the President.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who has also been standing in for Tinubu at events, will continue in that role.

On the political front, Senator Abubakar Yari, Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), has been leading consultations between senior party leaders and prominent traditional rulers across the country.

The Presidency also pushed back against claims that Tinubu would skip the UNGA, dismissing what it called “baseless insinuation” by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a US-based lobbying firm led by an ex-convict as “irresponsible.”