President Bola Tinubu has extended his working vacation in Europe by a few days and is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend.
Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for London, United Kingdom, to begin his working vacation before later travelling to Paris, France.
The Presidency disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The statement said, “President Tinubu will return to Nigeria at the weekend, following the extension of his working vacation by a few days.”
While in Paris, the President met with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré, whose business group includes Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group.
The Presidency said Tinubu had continued to monitor developments in Nigeria and direct the affairs of government despite being away from the country.
“Since he began the vacation, President Tinubu has continued to keep in touch with home, directing the affairs of the nation,” the statement said.
The Presidency cited Tinubu’s directive for an independent panel to investigate the death of 37 illegal miners in Minna following their detention by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
While the President was away, Vice President Kashim Shettima represented him at some official functions.
Shettima departed Abuja on September 20 for New York to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where he will represent the President and present Nigeria’s national statement.
The Presidency said the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, would continue to represent Tinubu at official functions while Shettima is away.
On the political front, the statement said the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, had been leading other party leaders in consultations with prominent traditional rulers across the country.
The Presidency also dismissed what it described as “baseless insinuation” by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying firm over Tinubu’s absence from the UN General Assembly.
It described the claims as “irresponsible,” while stressing that Shettima would represent the President at the global conference.
The statement added that Shettima “will present Nigeria’s national statement” at the UN General Assembly.
Onanuga said Tinubu would return to Nigeria at the weekend after extending his working vacation by a few days.