President Bola Tinubu has postponed his return to Nigeria following a last-minute change to his travel plans, MUK TV has learned.
According to sources in the presidency that spoke to TheCable, Tinubu, who was expected back in the country this weekend after spending several weeks in Europe, is now likely to return on Tuesday.
Recall that the presidency had earlier said the president would return to Nigeria on Sunday and was expected to arrive in Lagos, where he would spend up to a week before travelling to Abuja.
However, the planned itinerary was subsequently revised, with the president’s return now pushed back.
The reason for the latest adjustment was not immediately known as of Sunday morning.
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London, where the presidency said he had embarked on a three-week working vacation as part of his annual leave.
After spending about a week in the United Kingdom, the president travelled to Paris, France, where he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
On September 21, the presidency announced that Tinubu had extended his stay abroad by a few days and would return to Nigeria at the weekend.
The presidency had maintained that the president remained in regular contact with officials in Nigeria and continued to direct government affairs while abroad.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima also represented Tinubu at several official engagements during the president’s absence.
Shettima, however, travelled to New York on September 20 to represent Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The latest postponement comes amid growing questions and political debate over the length of Tinubu’s absence from the country.
Some opposition figures have questioned whether presidential powers should have been formally transferred to Shettima after the president’s absence extended beyond 21 days.
Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution provides that the president shall transmit a written declaration to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives when proceeding on vacation. Upon such a declaration, the vice-president performs the functions of the president in an acting capacity.
The constitutional provision has become a subject of renewed debate as Tinubu’s stay outside Nigeria continues.
However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio dismissed concerns over any leadership vacuum on Tuesday, saying there was no vacancy in Aso Rock.
Akpabio maintained that Tinubu remained in charge of the country’s affairs despite his absence from Nigeria.
