Presidency says President remains in charge from abroad as questions persist over constitutional transfer of power
ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu has extended his working vacation in Europe by “a few days” and is now expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend, the Presidency announced on Monday.
The extension takes the President’s stay outside the country beyond the three-week vacation originally announced by the State House when he departed Abuja on August 30.
In a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said Tinubu would return during the coming weekend but did not give a specific date.
Tinubu travelled first to London as part of his annual leave. After spending about a week in the British capital, he proceeded to Paris, where he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
The State House had initially announced on August 30 that the President was embarking on a three-week vacation and would return afterwards to participate in political activities ahead of the January 2027 general election. That original three-week period has now elapsed.
The Presidency maintained on Monday that Tinubu has remained engaged with affairs at home despite being outside Nigeria, saying he has continued to issue directives and oversee government business from Europe.
It cited, among other actions, his order for an independent investigation into the deaths of 37 miners following their detention by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Minna.
Vice President Kashim Shettima had represented the President at a number of official engagements during Tinubu’s absence. Shettima, however, left Abuja on September 20 for New York, where he is representing Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly and is expected to deliver the country’s national statement.
The Presidency said Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, would continue to represent Tinubu at some official functions while both the President and Vice President are abroad.
Tinubu’s extended absence has meanwhile generated questions from the opposition over the constitutional arrangements governing presidential authority during his vacation.
Former Vice President and ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar on Monday asked whether Tinubu transmitted a written declaration to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives before proceeding on vacation, as contemplated by Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution.
Section 145 provides that when a President proceeds on vacation, he shall transmit a written declaration to the leadership of the National Assembly, after which the Vice President performs the functions of President as Acting President. It also provides a procedure for the National Assembly where such a declaration is not transmitted within 21 days.
The Presidency has not, in Monday’s statement announcing the extension, said whether such a declaration was transmitted.
Presidential Special Adviser on Policy Communication Daniel Bwala, however, rejected suggestions that the President’s absence had created uncertainty over who was running the country. He argued on Monday that Tinubu’s presidential authority was not dependent on his physical presence in Nigeria and that he could continue directing government from abroad.
The State House similarly insisted that Tinubu had remained in contact with officials and continued to direct the affairs of the country throughout his stay in Europe.
The President is now expected back in Nigeria at the weekend, after what will be nearly four weeks outside the country.
THE AFRICAN COMET
