The Presidency has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is “hale and hearty” and will return to Nigeria this week after spending several weeks abroad on what it described as a working vacation.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, amid renewed concerns over the President’s prolonged absence from the country and his non-attendance at the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
Onanuga said Tinubu had continued to perform his official responsibilities while abroad, arguing that modern communication technology meant the President did not have to be physically present in Abuja to direct government affairs.
He cited the President’s meetings with investors in France as evidence of his official engagements during the vacation.
The presidential aide also pointed to the recent signing of memoranda of understanding between the Ogun State Government and DP World for the development of the proposed Gateway Deep Seaport and Blue Marine Special Economic Zone at Ogun Waterside.
The agreements, signed in Paris on September 24, were witnessed by Tinubu and involve projects valued at more than $7 billion.
Defending Tinubu’s absence from the UNGA, Onanuga noted that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi were also not present at the gathering.
He said Tinubu had formally announced his annual vacation and delegated Nigeria’s representation at the UNGA to Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The statement came amid criticism from opposition figures, including Peter Obi, over Tinubu’s continued absence from Nigeria.
Onanuga questioned Obi’s comments about the President’s whereabouts, saying Tinubu’s location and activities were known.
The Presidency had earlier announced that Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for an annual vacation and later extended his stay by a few days. It said he had remained in contact with officials at home and continued to direct government affairs while abroad.
Onanuga said Tinubu would return to Nigeria this week to participate in activities marking the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
He added that the President would also attend the Lagos premiere of a film commemorating the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, whom he described as a martyr of Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle.
