NEWS
Tinubu Can Govern Nigeria From Anywhere, Not Just Abuja — Presidency Declares
The Presidency has pushed back against growing concerns over President Bola Tinubu’s prolonged vacation, insisting that the Nigerian leader does not need to be physically present in Abuja to effectively discharge his constitutional responsibilities.
The clarification was made on Sunday, September 27, 2026, by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Chief Bayo Onanuga, amid increasing public attention over Tinubu’s absence from the country.
Tinubu had initially embarked on an official three-week vacation, but his stay outside Nigeria extended beyond the period originally announced. The development has triggered questions from some Nigerians and opposition figures, particularly after expectations that the President would return to the country last week were not met.
The concerns have also fuelled renewed calls for greater information about the President’s whereabouts and his official engagements while away from Nigeria.
Responding to the criticism, Onanuga maintained that Tinubu remains healthy and continues to carry out official responsibilities despite being on vacation.
“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.
“And we have seen that he has indeed been working, meeting investors in France, most recently facilitating a $7 billion deep-sea port in Ogun Waterside, an initiative of the Ogun State Government.”
The Presidency’s position effectively frames the President’s extended stay abroad as a working vacation rather than an interruption to the administration of the country.
Onanuga pointed to Tinubu’s reported engagements with investors in France as evidence that the President has continued to participate in economic and investment-related activities while outside Nigeria.
One of the developments highlighted by the presidential aide was the reported facilitation of a $7 billion deep-sea port project in Ogun Waterside, describing it as an initiative of the Ogun State Government.
The issue has nevertheless generated public debate over the visibility of the President’s activities while on vacation, particularly given the importance of the President’s physical presence in the nation’s political capital for major official engagements.
The Presidency, however, maintains that modern communication technology has significantly changed the way national leaders can perform their duties, making physical presence in Abuja unnecessary for every aspect of governance.
The debate comes against the backdrop of heightened political activity in Nigeria, with opposition figures continuing to scrutinise the Tinubu administration and demanding transparency on matters concerning the President’s official engagements.
For the Presidency, the central argument remains that Tinubu’s absence from Abuja should not be interpreted as an absence from governance, with Onanuga insisting that the President has remained engaged with matters affecting the country even while outside Nigeria.