TINUBU EXPECTED BACK IN NIGERIA TODAY AFTER FOUR WEEK EUROPE TRIP AMID COURT CHALLENGE
President Bola Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria today, September 29, after spending approximately four weeks in Europe on what the presidency described as a working vacation. His return comes amid opposition criticism over his prolonged absence and a Federal High Court case challenging whether constitutional procedures governing presidential vacations were followed.
President Bola Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria today, September 29, ending an approximately four week stay in Europe that has generated political criticism and prompted a Federal High Court challenge over the constitutional procedures governing presidential absence.
Tinubu is expected to arrive in Lagos, where he will undertake official engagements connected with Nigeria's 66th Independence anniversary before returning to Abuja next weekend.
The President departed Nigeria on August 30 for London to begin what the presidency described as a working vacation.
The initial schedule indicated that the President would spend three weeks away.
After spending about a week in London, Tinubu traveled to Paris, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
On September 21, the presidency announced that Tinubu had extended his working vacation by a few days and said he would return to Nigeria the following weekend.
That return did not take place as initially announced.
The presidency subsequently said the President was healthy and continued performing his official responsibilities while abroad.
His revised itinerary now puts his return in Lagos today.
TINUBU EXPECTED TO SPEND INDEPENDENCE DAY IN LAGOS
Tinubu is expected to remain in Lagos through October 1 as Nigeria marks its 66th Independence anniversary.
The President is expected to deliver the traditional Independence Day national broadcast and participate in official activities in Lagos.
He is also expected to attend the premiere of a documentary commemorating the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.
Tinubu is then expected to return to Abuja next weekend and resume his regular schedule from the nation's capital.
The presidency has maintained throughout his stay abroad that the President remained in contact with officials and continued directing government affairs.
Vice President Kashim Shettima represented Tinubu at several official engagements, including the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
OPPOSITION CRITICISM OVER PROLONGED ABSENCE
Tinubu's extended stay outside Nigeria has attracted criticism from several opposition figures and parties.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and the African Democratic Congress have publicly questioned the President's prolonged absence and his decision not to personally attend the United Nations General Assembly.
The presidency has rejected criticism that Tinubu's physical absence prevented him from performing his responsibilities.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said modern communications allow the President to continue working and issuing directives while outside Abuja.
The administration has pointed to decisions taken during Tinubu's stay abroad as evidence that he remained actively involved in government.
The political disagreement has now moved beyond public statements and into the Federal High Court.
AAC TAKES TINUBU TO COURT
The African Action Congress filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja on September 28 challenging Tinubu's decision to proceed on vacation without, according to the party, formally transferring presidential authority to Vice President Shettima.
The case also names the Attorney General of the Federation, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives and National Assembly as defendants.
The AAC is asking the court to interpret Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution and determine whether Tinubu was required to transmit a written declaration to the Senate President and Speaker before proceeding on vacation.
The party alleges that Tinubu's failure to do so violated the Constitution.
It is also challenging the National Assembly's alleged failure to act after the President's absence exceeded 21 days.
No court has ruled that Tinubu violated the Constitution.
The claims remain allegations contained in the AAC's lawsuit, and no date had been fixed for hearing at the time the case was reported.
The presidency has maintained that Tinubu continued exercising his responsibilities while abroad and has defended the trip as a working vacation.
RETURN ENDS WEEKS OF SPECULATION
Tinubu's expected arrival today would bring an end to weeks of speculation over the timing of his return.
His itinerary had already changed after the presidency initially indicated that he would return during the weekend following September 21.
Reports subsequently indicated that his return was postponed following a change in travel plans.
The President's return comes at an important period in Nigeria's political calendar, with Independence Day activities beginning and preparations for the 2027 general election gathering momentum.
Attention will now turn to Tinubu's Independence Day message, his engagements in Lagos and his eventual return to Abuja.
The Federal High Court case concerning his vacation will remain a separate legal matter, with the court expected to determine the constitutional questions raised by the AAC after the defendants have had an opportunity to respond.
