President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria on Sunday after spending several weeks in Europe on a working vacation.
Sources familiar with the President’s itinerary told TheCable that Tinubu is expected to arrive in Lagos, where he may remain for about a week before travelling to Abuja.
The President had departed Nigeria on August 30 for London to begin what the Presidency described as a three-week working vacation as part of his annual leave.
After spending about a week in the United Kingdom, Tinubu travelled to Paris, France, where he held engagements including meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
The Presidency had earlier announced on September 21 that Tinubu extended his stay abroad by a few days and would return to Nigeria at the weekend.
According to presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu had remained in contact with officials in Nigeria and continued to direct government affairs during his time outside the country.
The Presidency also said the President had delegated Vice-President Kashim Shettima to represent him at some official engagements while he was away. With Shettima subsequently travelling to New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, was also expected to represent the President at official functions.
Tinubu’s working vacation also included official engagements in Paris. During a meeting with Bolloré, the Presidency said discussions focused on investment in Nigeria’s creative and digital economy, including film, entertainment and fibre-optic infrastructure.
Extended absence sparks constitutional debate
The President’s prolonged stay outside Nigeria has, however, generated debate over the constitutional arrangements governing presidential absence.
Some lawmakers under the Save Democracy Group have called for the National Assembly to reconvene to determine whether the constitutional requirements relating to the President’s absence were followed. The group specifically raised questions about Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, which deals with the transmission of a written declaration when the President proceeds on vacation.
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Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party and the African Democratic Congress have also questioned the arrangements for the exercise of presidential powers during Tinubu’s extended stay abroad.
The Presidency, however, has maintained that Tinubu remained in charge and continued to direct the affairs of government while abroad.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio similarly said there was no vacancy in Aso Rock, arguing that Tinubu remained in power despite being outside the country.
With the President now expected back in Nigeria on Sunday, attention is likely to shift to his engagements in Lagos and his subsequent return to Abuja.