- Safiu Kehinde
President Bola Tinubu has ended his controversial working vacation and is set to return to Nigeria.
Tinubu is billed to arrive on Tuesday evening, marking an end to his extended three weeks vacation.
This was made known in a statement issued on by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to Onanuga, Tinubu’s aircraft is expected to touch down at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, later this evening.
“The Nigerian leader chose to fly to Lagos first to honour the memory of Chief MKO Abiola, the martyr of Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
“On Independence Day, the President will attend the premiere of a movie honouring Abiola, the winner of the June 1993 election, at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.” He wrote
While in Lagos, Tinubu, according to the presidential aide, will also hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates over several days in preparation for the 2027 elections.
NPO Reported that president had in August 30 departed Abuja for the vacation.
His absence would however sparked controversies which was intensified with his absence at the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
Long before the event, his aides had announced that the president will be in New York, United States to attend the meeting for the first time in three years.
This would however be changed days to the meeting as Tinubu mandated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represenr him at the event.
The development, alongside repeated postponement of his return had sparked outrage from opposition political parties with some demanding his resignation.
Notable among the parties was the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) whose presidential candidate, Peter Obi, raised concern over Tinubu’s health as he alleged that the president is unfit.
This was however debunked by the presidency which claimed that Tinubu is hale and hearty.
In a statement issued at the weekend, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, allayed concerns over the president’s health as he announced that he will return to the country on Tuesday.
