By Kazeem Ugbodaga
President Bola Tinubu has extended his working vacation in Europe by a few days and is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend.
His Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Monday in a statement.
Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for London to begin the working vacation before proceeding to Paris, France, where he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
Onanuga said Tinubu had remained in touch with developments at home throughout the vacation and continued to direct the affairs of the nation despite his absence from the country.
He cited the President’s directive for an independent panel to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Minna, Niger State.
Onanuga said Vice President Kashim Shettima had represented Tinubu at some official functions during the President’s absence.
Shettima subsequently travelled to New York to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where he is representing Tinubu and will deliver Nigeria’s national statement.
Onanuga said that with Shettima away, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, would continue to represent the President at official events.
On the political front, Onanuga said Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, had been leading notable party leaders in consultations with prominent traditional rulers across the country.
Onanuga also described as irresponsible the insinuations by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying firm over Tinubu’s absence from the UN General Assembly.
He said Shettima’s representation at the global conference was in line with the President’s arrangements, adding that the Vice President would present Nigeria’s national statement.
Onanuga said Tinubu was expected back in Nigeria at the weekend after extending his working vacation by a few days.
