The Presidency has assured Nigerians that President Bola Tinubu is “hale and hearty,” dismissing concerns over his absence from Abuja and the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
According to a statement, by his Spokesman, Bayo Onanuga on X on Sunday, Tinubu is currently on his annual vacation but remains engaged with official duties and activities.
“President Tinubu is hale and hearty,” the statement said, adding that the President is “perfectly entitled” to take a working vacation.
The Presidency argued that advances in technology mean the President does not necessarily have to be physically present in Abuja to carry out his responsibilities.
“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,” it said.
It further cited Tinubu’s reported meetings with investors in France as evidence that he has continued to work while away from Nigeria.
The statement also referred to the proposed $7 billion deep-sea port project in Ogun Waterside, describing it as an initiative of the Ogun State Government that Tinubu had recently helped facilitate.
Addressing criticism over Tinubu’s absence from the United Nations General Assembly, the Presidency noted that other African leaders, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, were also not present in New York.
“Two other important African leaders were not in New York for the UNGA,” the statement said, noting that Tinubu had announced his annual vacation and delegated Nigeria’s representation to Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The Presidency also criticised former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi for questioning Tinubu’s whereabouts.
“Yet Peter Obi pretends to be unaware of President Tinubu’s whereabouts,” it said.
The statement said Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria this week ahead of the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
It added that the President is expected to honour the memory of the late businessman and democracy campaigner, MKO Abiola, by attending the premiere of a movie about his life in Lagos.
