President Bola Tinubu has extended his working vacation in Europe by a few days and is expected to return to Nigeria this weekend, the Presidency has announced.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu remained actively engaged in government affairs during his absence, issuing directives and communicating with officials. The President left Abuja on August 30 for an initial three-week vacation.
After spending about a week in London, Tinubu travelled to Paris, where he held engagements with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré. The Presidency said he also directed investigations into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners following their detention in Niger State.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has continued to represent the President at designated official functions, while Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has also undertaken official assignments on Tinubu’s behalf. The Presidency said political consultations ahead of the 2027 elections were also continuing.
However, the African Democratic Congress and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, criticised the extension and threatened possible legal action. Atiku argued that the Constitution does not recognise a “working vacation” as a substitute for the procedure governing presidential absence.
Atiku cited Section 145 of the Constitution, which provides for a written declaration by the President when proceeding on vacation or otherwise unable to perform his functions. He questioned whether such a declaration had been transmitted to the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives and called for its publication if it had been made.
He also questioned the constitutional arrangements for the exercise of presidential powers while Tinubu and Shettima were both outside Nigeria. Atiku urged the National Assembly to clarify whether it had taken any action under the constitutional provisions, linking his concerns to the recent miners’ deaths, security challenges and petrol prices.
