President Bola Tinubu’s absence from public view has sparked concerns following his departure for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to attend the World Economic Forum. While the forum concluded on April 29, Tinubu’s whereabouts remain shrouded in secrecy.
Investigations by Peoples Gazette revealed that Tinubu left Riyadh on April 30, proceeding to London and then to Paris on May 2, without the knowledge of most of his key aides.
“I am just learning now from you that the president might be in Paris. We were all fooled that he was visiting someone in London even as of yesterday (Sunday) evening,” a senior presidential aide expressed anonymously, reflecting frustration among officials over the president’s conduct.
Tinubu, utilizing a Gulfstream G550 typically assigned to Vice-President Kashim Shettima due to the main presidential jet’s breakdown, raises questions about the transparency of his movements.
While the Gazette couldn’t immediately confirm Tinubu’s presence in Paris, his frequent visits to the city add to the intrigue.
Concerns about the president’s whereabouts coincide with Nigeria’s economic challenges, including fuel shortages, currency depreciation, and skyrocketing inflation. The naira’s plunge against the dollar, trading at N1390 to one dollar, underscores the urgency of addressing economic stability.
Previous administrations have used presidential jets to obscure a president’s actual location, underscoring the need for transparency in governance. Yet, the State House’s silence on Tinubu’s whereabouts only deepens the mystery surrounding his travels.
As Nigeria navigates economic turbulence, the spotlight remains on Tinubu’s undisclosed movements and their potential implications for the nation’s stability.