President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has postponed his return to Nigeria following another adjustment to his travel schedule, with the President now expected to arrive in the country on Tuesday, September 29.
Tinubu had initially been expected to return over the weekend after the Presidency announced last week that he had extended his working vacation in Europe by a few days. However, his itinerary was subsequently revised.
Presidential sources said the President is expected to return through Lagos, where he will remain for official engagements before travelling to Abuja next weekend. The reason for the latest adjustment was not immediately disclosed.
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London to begin what the Presidency described as a three-week working vacation as part of his annual leave.
After spending about a week in London, he travelled to Paris, France, where he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
The Presidency had earlier said Tinubu remained in contact with officials in Nigeria and continued to direct government affairs while abroad.
During his absence, Vice President Kashim Shettima represented him at several official engagements before travelling to New York to represent Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
Tinubu’s prolonged stay outside the country has generated public and political debate, particularly over his absence from the UN General Assembly and the constitutional arrangements surrounding presidential absence.
Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution provides for a president proceeding on vacation to transmit a written declaration to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Vice President can then perform the functions of President in an acting capacity.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, however, maintained that there was no vacancy in Aso Rock and that Tinubu remained in charge of the country’s affairs despite being outside Nigeria.
tinubu expected to mark independence day in lagos
On his expected return, Tinubu is scheduled to remain in Lagos for Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary on October 1.
Reports indicate that the President is expected to participate in the anniversary activities and deliver a national broadcast before returning to Abuja the following weekend.
Unless there is another change to his itinerary, Tinubu’s arrival in Lagos on Tuesday will bring his four-week working vacation in Europe to an end.
