By Aliyu Oyewole
President Bola Tinubu’s planned return to Nigeria has suffered another delay following a last-minute adjustment to his travel schedule.
Tinubu, who has been in Europe on a working vacation for several weeks, was earlier expected to return to Nigeria this weekend.
However, sources in the Presidency told TheCable that the President’s return had been postponed after his itinerary was revised. As of Sunday morning, the reason for the latest change had not been disclosed.
A separate report by QED.ng said Tinubu’s return is now expected on Tuesday, September 29, although the Presidency had not formally announced a new arrival date.
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London to begin a three-week working vacation as part of his annual leave.
He subsequently travelled to Paris, France, where he held official engagements, including meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
Despite his absence from the country, the Presidency has maintained that Tinubu remained in contact with government officials in Nigeria and continued to direct affairs of state.
On September 21, the Presidency announced that the President would extend his stay in Europe by a few days and return to Nigeria during the weekend.
The latest adjustment means Tinubu will remain outside the country beyond the previously announced timeframe.
Reports indicate that the President may return through Lagos before proceeding to Abuja, although details of his itinerary have not been formally released.
His prolonged stay abroad has also generated public discussion over the constitutional arrangements governing presidential functions when the President is away from the country.
Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution provides that a President proceeding on vacation may transmit a written declaration to the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, after which the Vice-President performs the functions of President in an acting capacity.
The issue has attracted comments from opposition figures and some lawmakers, while Senate President Godswill Akpabio has maintained that there was no vacancy in the presidency and that Tinubu remained in charge of the country’s affairs.
As of Sunday, the Presidency had not publicly stated why the President’s return was postponed or formally confirmed his new travel schedule.
