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 said on Monday.
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London before travelling to Paris, France, where he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu had continued to monitor developments in Nigeria and direct government affairs while away.
According to Onanuga, the President also ordered an independent investigation into the deaths of 37 illegal miners in Minna following their detention by officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
“President Tinubu will return to Nigeria at the weekend, following the extension of his working vacation by a few days,” the statement said.
During Tinubu’s absence, Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented him at several official engagements.
Shettima travelled to New York on September 20 to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where the general debate is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, September 22.
The Presidency said the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, would continue to represent Tinubu at official events.
It also said Shettima would represent the President at the UN General Assembly and deliver Nigeria’s national statement.
Onanuga further said Senator Abubakar Yari, the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, had been holding consultations with prominent traditional rulers across the country.
The Presidency also rejected what it described as an “irresponsible” and baseless insinuation by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying firm led by an ex-convict over Tinubu’s absence from the UN General Assembly.
During his stay in Paris, Tinubu met Macron and Bolloré, whose business interests include media and entertainment.
The President is expected to return to Nigeria this weekend after the extended working vacation.
