The Presidency has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s continued absence from Nigeria, saying the President can effectively perform his official duties from anywhere in the world.
The clarification came amid concerns from some Nigerians and opposition figures over Tinubu’s prolonged vacation and his failure to return to the country after the expiration of his initially announced three-week holiday.
The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said on Sunday that Tinubu remained in good health and had continued to work during his stay abroad.
Onanuga described the President’s trip as a working vacation and argued that modern technology had made physical presence in Abuja unnecessary for the President to carry out his responsibilities.
“Nigeria’s President is hale and hearty. He has been on a working vacation, which he is perfectly entitled to,” Onanuga said.
He added that Tinubu had continued to engage in official activities and meetings while outside the country.
“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,” he said.
According to Onanuga, the President had been meeting with investors during the trip, including engagements in France.
He cited Tinubu’s involvement in facilitating a proposed $7 billion deep-sea port project in Ogun Waterside as an example of his activities while away from Nigeria.
“And we have seen that he has indeed been working, meeting investors in France, most recently facilitating a $7 billion deep-sea port in Ogun Waterside, an initiative of the Ogun State Government,” Onanuga said.
The Presidency’s response followed calls from opposition figures and other Nigerians for greater clarity on the President’s whereabouts and the duration of his stay abroad.
Tinubu had initially announced a three-week vacation, but his continued absence after that period prompted renewed public discussion over when he would return to Nigeria.
The Presidency, however, maintained that the President’s location did not prevent him from discharging his constitutional responsibilities.
