BY FRONTLINE REPORTERS

President Bola Tinubu has extended his working vacation by a few days and is expected to return to Nigeria this weekend, the Presidency has said.

Tinubu left the country on August 30 for London, where he commenced the vacation before travelling to Paris, France, about a week later.

In Paris, the President held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré, whose business interests include Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group.

Although away from Nigeria, Tinubu has continued to monitor developments in the country and issue directives on matters of national importance.

One of such directives was the establishment of an independent panel to investigate the deaths of 37 illegal miners in Minna following their detention by officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The President had also delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him at a number of official engagements during his absence.

Shettima, however, left Abuja on September 20 for New York to represent Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

The Vice President is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the high-level session of the global gathering.

With both Tinubu and Shettima away from the country, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, will continue to represent the President at official functions where necessary.

Meanwhile, political activities linked to the ruling party have continued, with the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, leading consultations with prominent traditional rulers alongside other party leaders.

The Presidency has also rejected criticism over Tinubu’s absence from the UN General Assembly.

In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency dismissed comments by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying firm questioning Tinubu’s non-attendance at the UNGA.

The Presidency described the claims as irresponsible, stressing that Nigeria would be represented by Shettima at the global conference.

“Vice President Shettima, who is representing the President at the global conference, will present Nigeria’s national statement,” the statement said.