The Presidency has dismissed concerns over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s extended stay in France, insisting that he remains in good health and continues to discharge his official responsibilities while away from Nigeria.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, made the clarification on Sunday, September 27, 2026, amid criticism from opposition figures over the President’s absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Onanuga described Tinubu’s absence as a working vacation, arguing that modern communications technology enables the President to perform official duties without being physically present in Abuja.
Presidency Responds to Opposition Criticism
The clarification followed questions and criticism concerning Tinubu’s prolonged stay abroad, including comments from Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
The President’s absence from the UN General Assembly also drew attention because the annual gathering provides national leaders with an opportunity to address the international community, hold diplomatic meetings and engage with global institutions.
The Presidency’s response focused on Tinubu’s ability to continue directing government business from abroad.
Onanuga maintained that the President was entitled to take a working vacation and did not need to be physically present in the Nigerian capital to perform his constitutional responsibilities.
The statement represents the Presidency’s account of the President’s activities and working arrangements during his stay in France.
Tinubu Expected Back in Nigeria This Week
According to Onanuga, Tinubu was expected to return to Nigeria during the week beginning September 28.
The anticipated return provided a timeframe for the end of the extended period abroad, although the Presidency’s announcement should be distinguished from confirmation that the return had already taken place.
The debate has brought renewed attention to the communication of presidential schedules, particularly when the President is away from the country for an extended period.
Presidential travel is not unusual, and official duties can involve diplomatic engagements, policy discussions and other activities outside Nigeria. However, the duration of an absence and the availability of information about official engagements can become matters of public interest.
Questions of Accountability and Public Communication
The exchange also highlights the competing expectations surrounding executive leadership and public accountability.
The Presidency has emphasised continuity of government and the use of digital communication, while critics have questioned the circumstances surrounding the President’s absence from a major international diplomatic gathering.
These positions concern different aspects of presidential responsibility: the capacity to perform official duties remotely and the importance of direct public engagement and international representation.
The Presidency has not, in the cited statement, provided a detailed account of every official engagement undertaken by Tinubu during the period.
As the President’s expected return approaches, further official communication about his schedule and activities may help clarify the status of government engagements conducted during his stay abroad.