President Bola Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is hale and hearty and remains focused on delivering on his mandate despite being away from Abuja on a working vacation, the Presidency has said.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu’s absence from the Federal Capital Territory should not be mistaken for inactivity, stressing that modern technology allows leaders to perform official duties from anywhere in the world.
Onanuga explained that the President has continued to engage in important national and international assignments during his vacation, including meetings with investors in France that helped advance major economic initiatives.
According to him, Tinubu’s recent engagements contributed to the facilitation of a $7 billion deep-sea port project in Ogun Waterside, an initiative of the Ogun State Government aimed at boosting trade, investment and economic growth.
“President Tinubu is hale and hearty. He has been on a working vacation, which he is perfectly entitled to,” Onanuga said.
He added that “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.”
The presidential spokesman also defended Tinubu’s decision to delegate Nigeria’s representation at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to Vice President Kashim Shettima, describing the Vice President as capable and dependable.
He noted that Nigeria was not the only country whose leader was absent from the UNGA, pointing out that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi were also not present at the global meeting.
Onanuga said Ramaphosa’s decision not to attend public engagements did not generate controversy in South Africa, while Egypt also accepted Sisi’s absence without public uproar.
“The Nigerian President announced he was taking his annual vacation and delegated attendance to his able and dependable Vice President,” he said.
The statement followed questions from some political actors, including former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, over Tinubu’s whereabouts and absence from the UNGA.
The Presidency said such concerns were unnecessary, insisting that the President has remained active and committed to his responsibilities.
Tinubu is expected back in Nigeria this week to participate in activities marking the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary and attend the premiere of a movie celebrating the life and legacy of late democracy icon, Chief MKO Abiola, in Lagos.
The Presidency said the President’s return would also provide an opportunity to honour Abiola, whose struggle for democracy remains a significant part of Nigeria’s political history.
