TINUBU EXTENDS EUROPE VACATION, SETS WEEKEND RETURN

President Bola Tinubu has extended his working vacation in Europe by a few days and is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend, the Presidency announced on Monday.

Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for London to begin his three-week annual leave before travelling to Paris, France, where he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.

The Presidency said the President had remained in contact with officials in Nigeria and continued to direct the affairs of the country while abroad.

Among the directives attributed to Tinubu was an order for an independent investigation into the reported deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who were in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Minna, Niger State.

The Presidency said Vice-President Kashim Shettima had represented Tinubu at some official engagements during his absence.

However, Shettima travelled to New York on September 20 to represent Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where he is expected to present Nigeria’s national statement.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, who has also represented the President at official functions, is expected to continue with such engagements while Tinubu remains abroad.

The Presidency also said the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Abubakar Yari, had been leading consultations with prominent traditional rulers across the country.

The extension of Tinubu’s stay abroad came amid questions from former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over the constitutional arrangements governing presidential authority.

Atiku questioned who was exercising presidential authority after the initially announced 21-day vacation elapsed, particularly with Shettima also outside Nigeria.

In a statement posted on his verified X account, Atiku referred to Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides for the President to transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives when proceeding on vacation or otherwise unable to discharge the functions of office.

Atiku said Nigerians had not been shown any such constitutional communication transferring presidential authority to Shettima before Tinubu left the country.

He argued that Section 145(2) also provides for the National Assembly to play a role where the required declaration is not transmitted within 21 days.

Atiku called on the Presidency to publish any declaration if one had been transmitted and urged the National Assembly to clarify the situation if the constitutional procedure had not been followed.

The former Vice-President said the issue was one of constitutional order and accountability rather than political convenience.

He also criticised what he described as reliance on evidence of presidential activity from abroad, arguing that the country needed clarity on who was exercising presidential powers.

The Presidency, however, has maintained that Tinubu continues to direct the affairs of government while abroad. A separate statement from presidential adviser Daniel Bwala also argued that the President’s constitutional powers are not limited by his physical location.

The State House confirmed that Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend following the extension of his working vacation by a few days.