PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after spending about four weeks abroad, declaring that he is healthy and ready to resume work following an extended working vacation in Europe.
Tinubu arrived in Lagos from Paris, France, on Tuesday and was received at the presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport by senior government officials, political leaders and security chiefs.
Among those who welcomed him were Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Security chiefs and other senior officials were also present at the airport.
Speaking shortly after his arrival, Tinubu sought to put to rest speculation about his health, saying his prolonged stay in Europe was not caused by any health challenge.
“I enjoyed myself,” the president said.
“Ready to kick, ready to work, there is nothing wrong. Rumours will always emanate from politics. But the fact is I’m here, healthy, sound and ready to go.”
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Tinubu’s return follows extended vacation
The president left Nigeria on August 30 after the presidency announced that he would spend three weeks abroad on a working vacation.
He was originally expected to return around September 20. However, the presidency subsequently announced that his stay in Europe had been extended by several days.
The prolonged absence attracted public attention and generated discussions about the president’s health, his activities while abroad and the constitutional arrangements surrounding an extended presidential absence.
Throughout the period, the presidency maintained that Tinubu remained engaged with government business and was in communication with officials in Nigeria.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima performed several official engagements on behalf of the president during his absence.
President to hold meetings in Lagos
Tinubu’s immediate schedule in Lagos is expected to include official and political engagements before his eventual return to Abuja.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, had earlier disclosed that the president would participate in events honouring the late MKO Abiola.
He is expected to attend the premiere of a movie celebrating Abiola at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos, as part of activities marking Nigeria’s Independence Day.
READ ALSO: Tinubu travels to France to continue three-week annual leave
Abiola, who was declared the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, is a major figure in Nigeria’s democratic history.
Onanuga also said Tinubu would meet with political leaders, associates and other stakeholders during his stay in Lagos.
Shettima represented Tinubu
While the president was away, Shettima represented him at a number of official functions.
The vice-president also travelled to New York on September 20 to represent Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The presidency said Tinubu remained in touch with government officials and continued to direct the affairs of the country from abroad.
Constitutional issue resurfaces
The president’s extended stay abroad also revived debate over Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, which deals with the transfer of presidential functions to the vice-president when the president is on vacation or otherwise unable to discharge his duties.
The provision states that the president is to transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives when proceeding on vacation or otherwise unable to perform his functions.
Once the declaration is transmitted, the vice-president performs the functions of the president in an acting capacity until another declaration is transmitted stating that the president has resumed his duties.
Some opposition figures questioned whether the constitutional provision should have been formally activated during Tinubu’s extended absence.
The presidency maintained that the president remained actively involved in governance throughout his time abroad.
With Tinubu now back in Lagos, attention will shift to his scheduled engagements and the resumption of his activities in Nigeria after the four-week period away from the country.
