President Bola Tinubu has returned to Abuja following an extended vacation to the United Kingdom and France.
Tinubu arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Saturday, where top government officials received him.
Among them were the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; several ministers and the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje.
President Tinubu departed Abuja on October 2, 2024, for what was initially announced as a two-week annual leave. His movement from the UK to France during the vacation sparked public reactions.
Addressing the concerns, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated, “President Tinubu is on leave for two weeks. He is not restricted to the UK. It is his private time. He can go to anywhere he so desires. He is still observing his leave.”
Similarly, Vice President Kashim Shettima’s two-day visit to Sweden amid Tinubu’s vacation was greeted with questions.
In response, the presidency said there was no vacuum in leadership as “the President and Vice President are fully engaged with the nation’s affairs, even while they are away.”
Bayo Onanuga had said, “The vice president departed the country Wednesday for Sweden on an official visit, working for Nigeria.
“All state organs are functioning as usual. The Senate President, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ministers, and Service Chiefs are all in their respective positions, ensuring the smooth operation of the government.
“We had a similar situation in 2022 when former President Buhari and former Vice President Osinbajo were found to be simultaneously out of the country. President Buhari attended UNGA 77, while Osinbajo participated in the burial of Queen Elizabeth ll.
“We have also experienced it during this administration. Between late April and early May this year, while President Tinubu was in London, after visiting the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, where he attended the World Economic Forum, Vice President Shettima left Nigeria, first of all for Nairobi to attend the International Development Association (IDA21) Heads of State Summit. After returning, he left for Dallas, Texas, to attend the US-Africa Business Summit organised by the Corporate Council on Africa. President Tinubu returned home on 8 May. During this time, the government’s machinery did not halt.
“The Constitution, a testament to our adaptability in the virtual age, does not explicitly require the physical presence of either the president or the vice president in the country at all times to fulfil his duties.”
Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, President Tinubu has made over 20 international trips to Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East countries.