President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is again generating significant online attention as several issues converge around his administration, including his extended working vacation, Nigeria’s representation at the 81st United Nations General Assembly and the continuing debate over his economic reforms.
The Presidency announced on September 21 that Tinubu had extended his working vacation in Europe and would return to Nigeria at the weekend. He left Nigeria on August 30 and has since spent time in London and Paris, where the Presidency said he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
At the same time, Vice President Kashim Shettima is representing Nigeria at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York. The Federal Government says Tinubu’s decision to delegate the assignment is linked to his annual leave and that Shettima is attending with the President’s full mandate.
The President’s absence has nevertheless generated political debate. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has questioned whether the constitutional requirements for transferring presidential powers were followed after the initial 21-day vacation period.
The Presidency has rejected the criticism and maintained that Tinubu has continued directing government affairs while away.
Beyond the vacation controversy, Tinubu remains closely associated with some of Nigeria’s biggest economic policy changes, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and the government’s push toward CNG as an alternative energy source. With fuel prices again under pressure, attention is increasingly focused on how those reforms are affecting households and businesses.
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