The Presidency has sought to allay public concerns regarding President Bola Tinubu’s absence from Abuja and the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, affirming that the Nigerian leader remains “hale and hearty” and fully engaged in his duties despite being on vacation.
In a statement released on Sunday via X by Presidential Spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency clarified that President Tinubu is currently on his annual working vacation but continues to discharge his responsibilities remotely.
“President Tinubu is hale and hearty,” the statement read, stressing that the President is “perfectly entitled” to take a working holiday. It added that modern technology enables him to remain connected and effective without being physically present in Abuja.
The Presidency highlighted Tinubu’s recent engagements with investors in France as evidence of his continued commitment to governance, citing the proposed $7 billion deep-sea port project in Ogun Waterside as one of the initiatives he has helped facilitate during his time away.
Addressing criticism over his absence from the UNGA, the statement noted that other prominent African leaders, including South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa and Egypt’s Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, also did not attend the New York gathering. Vice President Kashim Shettima was delegated to represent Nigeria at the event.
The Presidency further criticised opposition leader Peter Obi for questioning Tinubu’s whereabouts, insisting that the President’s vacation had been publicly announced.
President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria this week ahead of the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary celebrations. He is also scheduled to attend the premiere of a film honouring the late Chief MKO Abiola, acclaimed businessman and democracy campaigner, in Lagos.
