The Presidency has responded to concerns over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s continued absence from Nigeria, saying he is hale and hearty and remains engaged in official duties while on a working vacation.
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for a three-week vacation and later extended his stay by a few days. The Presidency had earlier said he remained in contact with officials and continued directing the affairs of the country while abroad.
Speaking on the development, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu did not need to be physically present in Abuja to perform his duties.
“Nigeria’s President is hale and hearty. He has been on a working vacation, which he is perfectly entitled to. In this digital age, he does not need to be physically present in Abuja to do the work for which he was elected in 2023,” Onanuga said.
He added that Tinubu had continued working during the trip, including meeting investors in France and facilitating a $7 billion deep-sea port project in Ogun Waterside, an initiative of the Ogun State Government.
On Tinubu’s absence from the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Onanuga noted that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi were also absent.
He said Tinubu had announced his annual vacation and delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent Nigeria at the UNGA.
Onanuga also criticised former Vice President Peter Obi over questions about Tinubu’s whereabouts, saying the former presidential candidate was pretending not to know where the President was.
According to the Presidency, Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria this week to participate in activities marking the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary. He is also expected to attend the Lagos premiere of a film honouring late businessman and democracy activist MKO Abiola.
Social Media Reactions
Mbuh Vernyuy: Like cameroon like Nigeria, both our president’s work remotely…our country’s are run via zoom….Technologiaa
Chinaza Samuel Osuagwu: I remember when Buhari started working from outside the country….once they start running kitikiti always know there’s fire on the mountain
More Talk: Once they start explaining like this, know say something dey sup somehow, some where
Emmanuel Ikwuji: A parable in igbo land says that when a snake behaves like a robe children will use the snake to tie firewood
Daniel Obinna: “in Nigeria”? So, what country is he supposed to be in, working? 😅😅
Collins Emedo: Do you guys think what i am thinking. Be like Apostle selman prophesy fit come to pass o. But him no mention name Sha. Let’s see.
Ola Adebowale: Hale and healthy doing laundry for president of France 🤣
Arc Aremu Oluwatosin: The head of remote workers association in Nigeria is…
Nnamdi Gerald Nweke: The fear of Donald Trump is the beginning of wisdom..
Ik Zambrotta: AI president
Our president is now a photo, na photo we vote
Chima Frank Ogbonna: Have South African and Egyptian presidents dodged UNGA for 3 years straight?
