Deborah Ainyosoye
The Presidency has said President Bola Tinubu continues to direct the affairs of state from Europe, despite being outside the country for nearly two weeks.
It also said the President will return on Monday, April 21, after the Easter holidays.
In a statement signed Thursday, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, explained that the President, who travelled from Paris to London at the weekend, “remains fully engaged in Nigeria’s governance” and is in “constant communication with key government officials.”
Onanuga added that the President had given “directives to security chiefs to address emerging threats in some parts of the country.”
The statement was titled ‘Statement On President Tinubu’s Return To Nigeria.’
Tinubu’s absence, the Presidency noted, “is temporary and in line with the communicated timeframe of approximately two weeks.”
He is expected back in Abuja after the Easter holidays, which end on Monday, 21 April.
“The President’s commitment to his duties remains unwavering, and his administration continues to function effectively under his leadership,” Onanuga said, urging the public to remain calm and assuring citizens that “governance proceeds without interruption.”
“The President left Paris for London at the weekend and has maintained constant communication with key government officials, overseeing critical national matters, including directives to security chiefs to address emerging threats in some parts of the country.
“His return to Abuja and the resumption of duties at Aso Villa will follow the conclusion of the Easter holiday.
“We appreciate the public’s concern and assure all Nigerians that governance proceeds without interruption,” the statement read.
Although the Presidency did not specify the purpose of Tinubu’s stay in Paris and London, it follows a pattern of working visits the President has undertaken since assuming office nearly two years ago.
Thursday’s statement was ostensibly in response to criticisms by the opposition, who questioned Tinubu’s stay abroad while the country was bleeding from killings, particularly in Plateau and Benue states. The concerns were raised by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, who questioned Tinubu’s absence while the country grapples with heightening insecurity.