President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has postponed his return to Nigeria following a last-minute adjustment to his travel plans, according to sources cited by TheCable.
Tinubu was initially expected to return over the weekend after spending several weeks in Europe on what the presidency described as a working vacation.
Sources had earlier indicated that the President would arrive in Lagos and remain there for about a week before proceeding to Abuja. However, his itinerary was subsequently revised, with his return now expected on Tuesday.
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London, where he began 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.
During his stay in Paris, Tinubu held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
On September 21, the presidency announced that the President had extended his stay abroad by a few days and would return to Nigeria at the weekend.
The presidency also said Tinubu had remained in contact with government officials in Nigeria and continued to direct government affairs while away.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima had represented the President at some official engagements during his absence. Shettima, however, travelled to New York on September 20 to represent Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The latest change to Tinubu’s return plans comes amid public discussion over the length of his absence from the country.
Some opposition figures have also raised constitutional questions over whether presidential powers should have been formally transferred to the Vice-President after 21 days.
Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution provides that when the President proceeds on vacation, he must transmit a written declaration to the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, after which the Vice-President performs the President’s functions in an acting capacity.
However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio recently said there was no vacancy in Aso Rock and maintained that Tinubu remained in charge of the country’s affairs despite his absence from Nigeria.
The latest development means the President’s return will take place later than previously announced, following the adjustment to his travel itinerary.
