The Presidency has responded to fresh questions from Peter Obi over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s prolonged absence from Nigeria and his non-attendance at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, questioned why Tinubu was absent from the global gathering for the third consecutive year, despite Nigeria being Africa’s most populous country.
The former Anambra State governor raised the issue after watching Ghanaian President John Mahama address the UN General Assembly. Although Vice President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria at the event, Obi said the Vice President’s presence did not answer questions about Tinubu’s absence...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga responded by saying Tinubu was on a working vacation and remained in contact with officials in Nigeria.
Onanuga said the President did not need to be physically present in Abuja to perform his duties, particularly in an era where government business can be conducted digitally. He also pointed to Tinubu’s meetings in France and other activities undertaken while abroad.
The Presidency further noted that other African leaders, including South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa and Egypt’s Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, also did not attend this year’s UN General Assembly.
Tinubu travelled out of Nigeria on August 30 for what was initially announced as a three-week working vacation in Europe. His stay was later extended by several days, with the Presidency now indicating that he is expected to return to Nigeria on Tuesday, September 29.
The President has continued to issue directives while abroad, including ordering an investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in custody.
Meanwhile, the debate over Tinubu’s prolonged absence has continued to generate political and constitutional questions, particularly over the President’s decision to remain abroad while the UN’s annual high-level gathering was taking place.
With Tinubu expected back in Nigeria this week, attention is now turning to how the Presidency will address the growing public discussion surrounding his extended stay overseas and absence from the UNGA.
