The Presidency has dismissed concerns over President Bola Tinubu’s prolonged absence from Abuja and the United Nations General Assembly in New York, assuring Nigerians that the President is “hale and hearty.”
Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement posted on X on Sunday that Tinubu is currently on his annual vacation but remains engaged in official duties while outside the country.
According to Onanuga, the President is “perfectly entitled” to take a working vacation, stressing that modern technology allows him to discharge his responsibilities without being physically present in Abuja.
“In this digital age, he does not need to be physically present in Abuja to do the work for which he was elected in 2023,” the statement said.
The Presidency also pointed to Tinubu’s reported meetings with investors in France as evidence that he has continued to perform official duties during his vacation.
It further referenced the proposed $7 billion deep-sea port project in Ogun Waterside, describing it as an Ogun State Government initiative that the President recently helped facilitate.
On Tinubu’s absence from the ongoing United Nations General Assembly, the Presidency noted that other African leaders, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, were also not in New York.
The statement recalled that Tinubu had announced his annual vacation and delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent Nigeria at the UNGA.
The Presidency also criticised former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his comments concerning Tinubu’s whereabouts.
“Yet Peter Obi pretends to be unaware of President Tinubu’s whereabouts,” it said.
The Presidency said Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria this week ahead of the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
It added that upon his return, the President is expected to attend the Lagos premiere of a movie depicting the life of the late businessman and democracy campaigner, MKO Abiola.
