President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his working vacation by a few days and is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend, the Presidency has said.
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London to commence the working vacation. After spending a week in the United Kingdom, he proceeded to Paris, France, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
The Presidency said that despite his absence from the country, Tinubu had remained in touch with developments at home and continued to direct the affairs of government.
Among other decisions taken during the period, the President ordered an independent panel to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Minna following their detention by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Vice President Kashim Shettima had represented the President at some official functions while he was away. Shettima, however, left Abuja on September 20 for New York to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
With the Vice President now in New York, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, will continue to represent the President at official engagements.
The Presidency also said that, on the political front, the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, had been leading consultations involving notable party leaders and prominent traditional rulers across the country.
It described as “irresponsible” the insinuations by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying firm headed by an ex-convict over Tinubu’s non-attendance at the UN General Assembly.
Shettima, who is representing the President at the global conference, is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement.
The statement was issued on Monday, September 21, by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
