President Bola Tinubu has extended his working vacation by a few days and will return to Nigeria at the weekend, the Presidency announced on Sunday.
In a Statehouse press release issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said President Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for London to begin the working vacation.
According to the statement, after spending a week in London, the President moved to Paris, France, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Mr Vincent Bollore, whose media group includes Canal+, Multichoice, and Universal Music Group.
The Presidency said President Tinubu has continued to direct the affairs of the nation while away, including 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
While away, the President delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him at official functions. Shettima left Abuja on September 20 for New York to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where he will present Nigeria’s national statement.
The statement added that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who has also been representing the President at events, will continue to do so.
On the political front, the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Senator Abubakar Yari, has been leading notable party leaders in consultations with prominent traditional rulers across the country.
The Presidency also dismissed insinuations 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, describing them as baseless and irresponsible.
