The Presidency has defended President Bola Tinubu’s prolonged stay outside Nigeria, saying the President does not need to be physically present in Abuja to discharge his responsibilities in the digital age.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated this on Sunday while responding to criticism over Tinubu’s absence from the country and the ongoing 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Onanuga also dismissed speculation about the President’s health, saying Tinubu was “hale and hearty” and had remained engaged with official duties during his working vacation in Europe.
According to him, Tinubu’s engagements while abroad have included meetings with investors in France and efforts to facilitate a proposed $7 billion deep-sea port project in Ogun Waterside, an initiative of the Ogun State Government.
The presidential aide said technological advances had made it possible for Tinubu to continue directing the affairs of government without being physically present in Abuja.
He said, “Nigeria’s President is hale and hearty. He has been on a working vacation, which he is perfectly entitled to. In this digital age, he does not need to be physically present in Abuja to do the work for which he was elected in 2023.”
Onanuga also defended Tinubu’s decision not to attend the UN General Assembly personally, noting that Vice President Kashim Shettima had represented Nigeria at the gathering.
He cited the absence of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi from the UNGA, saying Tinubu had similarly announced his vacation and delegated the responsibility to Shettima.
The presidential aide also criticised former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate Peter Obi over his comments on Tinubu’s absence.
Onanuga said Obi was “pretending to be unaware” of the President’s whereabouts while questioning his absence from the UNGA.
The Presidency had earlier said Tinubu’s working vacation, which began on August 30, had been extended by a few days. It said the President continued to keep in touch with developments at home and direct the affairs of government while abroad.
Onanuga said Tinubu would return to Nigeria this week to participate in activities marking the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
He is also expected to attend the Lagos premiere of MKO, a documentary on the life and legacy of late businessman and democracy campaigner Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola. The documentary is scheduled to premiere at the National Theatre, Lagos, on October 1.
Recent reports indicate that the Presidency expects Tinubu to return on Tuesday, September 29, ahead of the Independence Day activities.
