By Yusuf Bello
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend after extending his working vacation by a few days, the Presidency said on Monday.
Recall, Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for London, where he began the working vacation before travelling to Paris, France, after spending about a week in the United Kingdom.
In Paris, the President held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bollore, whose business interests include Canal+, Multichoice and Universal Music Group.
The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Monday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
The statement added that despite being away from the country, Tinubu has continued to monitor developments at home and direct the affairs of government.
Among other decisions, he ordered an independent investigation into the death of 37 illegal miners in Minna, Niger State, following their detention by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The President has also delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him at several official engagements during his absence.
Shettima departed Abuja on September 20 for New York to represent Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly. He is expected to present Nigeria’s national statement at the global gathering.
With the Vice President away, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who has also represented the President at official functions, will continue to stand in for him.
On the political front, the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, has been leading consultations with prominent traditional rulers across the country alongside other senior party leaders.
The Presidency also dismissed 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 absence from the UN General Assembly.
