President Bola Tinubu has departed Paris, France, for Nigeria after ending his working vacation in Europe.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President’s aircraft is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, later in the evening.
The Presidency said Tinubu chose to return through Lagos to honour the memory of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, whom it described as a martyr of Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
The President is expected to attend the premiere of a film honouring Abiola at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, on October 1, Nigeria’s Independence Day.
While in Lagos, Tinubu will also hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates as part of preparations for the 2027 elections.
The President is also expected to return to Abuja after his political engagements in Lagos.
Tinubu departed Abuja on August 30 for a working vacation, spending a week in London before travelling to Paris.
During his stay in France, he held a private dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron and met business leaders, including Vincent Bolloré of the Bolloré Group, whose interests include Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group.
He also met the Chairman of First HoldCo Plc, Femi Otedola, on Monday.
Last week, Tinubu witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ogun State Government and DP World for the development of a Gateway Deep Seaport in Ogun Waterside and a Blue Marine Economic Zone, with the project expected to attract $7 billion in investment.
Europe Vacation, UNGA Absence Dust
Tinubu’s prolonged stay in Europe had drawn criticism, particularly after he did not attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Vice President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria at the UNGA and delivered the country’s national statement on behalf of the President.
The Presidency defended the arrangement, saying Shettima had the President’s mandate to represent Nigeria at the global gathering.
The President’s working vacation had earlier been extended by a few days after the Presidency initially indicated that he would return to Nigeria at the weekend.
The development also drew criticism from opposition parties. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it was unnecessary for Tinubu to remain in Europe when he could have proceeded to New York to represent Nigeria at the UNGA.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) raised questions over the President’s absence and the constitutional provisions governing the transfer of presidential powers when the President is away from the country, with its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, questioning Tinubu’s prolonged absence from Nigeria.
Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, also questioned Tinubu’s absence from the UNGA, asking “where the Nigerian President was…” as other world leaders gathered in New York.
The Presidency, however, dismissed the criticisms, maintaining that Tinubu’s trip was a “working vacation” and that he continued to attend to matters of national interest while abroad. On Sunday, Onanuga said the President was “hale and hearty” and continued to discharge his official responsibilities from Europe.
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