Presidency defends Tinubu’s absence at UNGA as vacation extended

The Presidency says President Bola Tinubu will now return to Nigeria at the weekend after extending his working vacation by a few days.

Tinubu began the vacation in London on August 30 before proceeding to Paris, where he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bollore of Canal+, Multichoice and Universal Music Group.

According to the Presidency, the President has remained in charge of government activities, including directing an independent panel to investigate the death of 37 illegal miners in Minna following their detention by the NSCDC.

In his absence, Vice President Kashim Shettima has been representing him at official engagements. Shettima left Abuja on September 20 for New York for the 81st UN General Assembly, with SGF George Akume expected to continue representing the President at local events.

The Presidency also disclosed that Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, has been leading consultations with prominent traditional rulers.

On Tinubu’s non attendance at UNGA, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement “described the baseless insinuation by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States based lobbying firm about President Tinubu’s non attendance at UNGA as irresponsible.”

The statement added, “Vice President Shettima, who is representing the President at the global conference, will present Nigeria’s national statement.”