Presidency tries to assuage concerns as Tinubu fails to return as announced

The opposition campaign of Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has responded harshly to President Bola Tinubu's continued absence from Nigeria. A statement released on social media by Atiku's media representative, Paul Ibe, on Monday criticized the current situation, stating that Tinubu remains in France, diligently handling household tasks.

This criticism followed the President's recent defense of his extended stay in France, which was announced on August 30. Atiku's team questioned the validity of this extended stay, pointing out that President Tinubu had promised to return within a few days following his initial three-week vacation. However, despite Macron hosting Tinubu at the Élysée Palace, the French President had already traveled to New York for the United Nations General Assembly and returned to France before Tinubu did.

Atiku's team emphasized that Nigeria, not France, requires the President's attention and efforts. They urged the Presidency to provide a clear account of Tinubu's official engagements during his prolonged absence and the benefits derived from them. The statement insisted that simply labeling the stay as a "working vacation" is insufficient.

Atiku's team demanded transparency about the official business that necessitates Tinubu's continuous presence in France and what tangible outcomes have emerged from his stay.