President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has delayed his return to Nigeria after a last-minute change to his travel plans, sparking fresh political questions over his extended stay abroad.
Sources told TheCable that Tinubu had expected to return to Nigeria over the weekend. However, the Presidency reportedly revised his itinerary, with his return now expected on Tuesday. The sources did not disclose the reason for the latest change.
The development comes six days after the end of Tinubu’s originally announced three-week working vacation.
The President left Nigeria on August 30 for London before travelling to Paris, France. During his stay in France, he met French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
ADC Demands Explanation
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council has now demanded clearer information from the Presidency over Tinubu’s prolonged absence.
In a statement issued by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the ADC said Nigerians deserve clear and verifiable information about the President’s current location, the reason for the extended stay and the constitutional arrangements governing the country during his absence.
The opposition campaign council said Tinubu’s original three-week vacation reportedly ended on September 21, yet the President remained outside Nigeria as of September 27.
The ADC also questioned who currently exercises presidential authority while Tinubu remains abroad.
The party has previously cited Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, which addresses the President’s absence from Nigeria and the transmission of a written declaration to the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives when the President proceeds on vacation or cannot perform his functions.
However, the ADC’s interpretation represents its political and constitutional position. It does not by itself establish that the Presidency has violated the Constitution.
Presidency Says Tinubu Remains in Charge
The Presidency has defended Tinubu’s continued stay abroad.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu remains “hale and hearty” and continues to perform his presidential duties while on what the Presidency describes as a working vacation.
Onanuga argued that modern technology allows the President to direct government affairs without remaining physically present in Abuja. He also said Tinubu has continued official engagements during his stay abroad.
The Presidency also pointed to Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s representation of Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Shettima travelled to New York on September 20, where he represented Nigeria at the global gathering.
Why Tinubu’s Return Has Become a Political Issue
Tinubu’s extended stay has generated debate because both the President and Vice-President have spent periods outside Nigeria during the same period.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio previously rejected suggestions that Nigeria faced a leadership vacuum. He said Tinubu remained in charge and continued to direct government affairs from abroad.
Akpabio also argued that technological advances allow a President to work effectively while outside the country.
The ADC, however, continues to question the constitutional mechanism for exercising presidential powers during Tinubu’s prolonged absence.
The opposition party has therefore asked the Presidency to explain the constitutional arrangements surrounding the President’s absence.
Tinubu Expected Back in Nigeria This Week
Despite the latest delay, the Presidency says Tinubu will return to Nigeria this week.
The latest reports indicate that Tuesday now represents the expected return date, although officials have not publicly provided a detailed explanation for the latest change in itinerary.
The development has therefore placed fresh attention on the President’s movements, the duration of his overseas stay and the constitutional procedures that apply when a Nigerian President remains outside the country for an extended period.
For now, the Presidency maintains that Tinubu remains in charge and continues to perform his duties remotely, while the ADC wants greater transparency over the arrangements governing presidential authority during his absence.
WeGoTalk will continue to monitor the development as the Presidency provides further information on Tinubu’s return.
