President Bola Tinubu is set to return to Nigeria today, following nearly two weeks abroad, as confirmed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
In a concise post on X shared on Monday, Onanuga stated, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will return home today.”
The Presidency had previously reassured Nigerians that the President remained actively engaged in governance despite his time overseas.
In a statement released last Thursday, Onanuga mentioned, “The President traveled from Paris to London over the weekend and has maintained constant communication with key government officials, overseeing critical national matters, including directives to security chiefs addressing emerging threats in certain regions of the country.”
He emphasized that Tinubu’s absence was intended to be temporary and “in line with the communicated timeframe of approximately two weeks,” with his return scheduled for April 21, following the Easter holidays.
“The President’s commitment to his duties remains steadfast, and his administration is functioning effectively under his leadership. We appreciate the public’s concern and assure all Nigerians that governance continues without interruption,” added the statement.
Tinubu had initially departed for Paris on April 2, 2025, for what the Presidency described as a two-week working visit aimed at evaluating his administration’s mid-term performance and assessing key milestones.
However, his extended stay abroad has drawn criticism from opposition leaders, particularly amidst rising insecurity in areas such as Plateau and Benue states.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi have both expressed their concerns regarding the President’s absence during this turbulent time.
Atiku, through his media aide Paul Ibe, criticized Tinubu’s prolonged stay, labeling it “irresponsibility on the part of the APC-led government.”
He stated, “Tinubu is away while Nigeria burns—daily killings, attacks, and loss of territories.
This is deeply troubling. Nigerians are yearning for real leadership—someone who is present and actively engaged.”
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In a similar vein, Obi urged Tinubu to return immediately to address the escalating security crisis.
“In the two weeks you have been away, over 150 Nigerians have lost their lives due to insecurity,” he noted, referencing incidents in Plateau, Zamfara, Borno, and Benue.
“I implore Mr. President to suspend whatever he is doing in France and urgently return home to tackle these pressing issues,” Obi added.
In response to the criticisms, Bala Ibrahim, the Publicity Director of the APC, refuted assertions of a leadership vacuum.
He stated, “The President’s absence from the country does not imply he is not overseeing the nation’s affairs.” Ibrahim highlighted that the President had given directives to security agencies and emphasized that the Vice President was effectively representing him. “It is inaccurate to claim that a country with an actively engaged Vice President is experiencing a leadership vacuum.
A nation with such leadership involvement cannot be considered leaderless,” he affirmed.
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