President Bola Tinubu has postponed his return to Nigeria following a last-minute adjustment to his travel schedule, with the President now expected to arrive in the country on Tuesday, September 29.
Presidential sources said Tinubu, who had been expected to return at the weekend, would no longer arrive as earlier scheduled. No official explanation was immediately given for the change.
The President is expected to return through Lagos, where he may spend several days before proceeding to Abuja, according to reports citing Presidency sources.
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London to begin a three-week working vacation as part of his annual leave. After spending about a week in the United Kingdom, he travelled to Paris, France, where he held engagements with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
On September 21, the Presidency announced that Tinubu had extended his working vacation by a few days and would return to Nigeria at the weekend. It said the President had remained in contact with officials at home and continued to direct the affairs of government while abroad.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented Tinubu at some official engagements during the President’s absence. Shettima, however, travelled to New York on September 20 to represent Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly, while Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume continued to represent the President at some functions.
The prolonged absence has also generated debate over the exercise of presidential powers when the President is outside the country for an extended period.
Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution provides that when the President is proceeding on vacation or is otherwise unable to discharge his functions, he is to transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives, after which the Vice-President performs the functions of President in an acting capacity.
The issue has drawn questions from opposition figures and some lawmakers. Senate President Godswill Akpabio, however, said there was no vacancy in Aso Rock and maintained that Tinubu remained in charge of the country’s affairs despite being abroad.
As of Sunday morning, no official reason had been given for the latest adjustment to Tinubu’s return schedule.
