President Bola Tinubu has extended his working vacation by a few days and is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend, the Presidency has said.
The development was contained in a statement issued on Monday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
According to the statement, Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London, where he began his working vacation before travelling to Paris, France.
While in Paris, the President met French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bollore, whose media group includes Canal+, Multichoice and Universal Music Group.
The Presidency said Tinubu had remained in contact with Nigeria throughout his vacation and continued to direct government affairs.
It cited his order for an independent panel to investigate the deaths of 37 illegal miners in Minna following their detention by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
“Since he began the vacation, President Tinubu has continued to keep in touch with home, directing the affairs of the nation, like ordering an independent panel to investigate the death of 37 illegal miners in Minna, following their detention by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, among other things,” the statement said.
While Tinubu has been away, Vice President Kashim Shettima has represented him at some official functions.
However, Shettima left Abuja on September 20 for New York to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, will continue representing the President at official events, according to the Presidency.
The statement also addressed Tinubu’s absence from the UN General Assembly, where Shettima is representing Nigeria and is expected to deliver the country’s national statement.
The Presidency described claims by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a US-based lobbying firm headed by an ex-convict over Tinubu’s non-attendance at the UNGA as “irresponsible”.
“The Presidency described the baseless insinuation by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying firm headed by an ex-convict about President Tinubu’s non-attendance at UNGA as irresponsible,” the statement said.
On the political front, the Presidency said the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, had been leading consultations with prominent traditional rulers alongside other party leaders.
Tinubu’s working vacation began on August 30, and the Presidency said he would return to Nigeria at the weekend after extending his stay by a few days.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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