President Bola Tinubu continues to oversee the affairs of the nation from Europe and is expected to return to Abuja following the Easter holiday, the Presidency has confirmed.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga reaffirmed that the President’s current trip remains within the scheduled timeframe and does not hinder governance.
“President Tinubu departed Paris for London over the weekend and remains in close communication with key government officials,” Onanuga said. “He has been issuing directives, including to security chiefs, on critical national matters.”
The Presidency emphasized that governance is proceeding smoothly and that the President’s commitment to national duties remains unwavering.
“We appreciate the public’s concern and assure all Nigerians that governance continues without interruption,” the statement concluded.
Public Reactions and Calls for the President’s Return
Despite assurances from the Presidency, several opposition figures have criticized Tinubu’s continued stay abroad amid escalating security crises in various parts of the country.
Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, took to social media on Wednesday, urging the President to cut short his European trip and return to address the worsening security situation.
“Mr. President, domestic problems beckon,” Obi posted on his X (formerly Twitter) handle. “The massacre of Nigerians in Plateau, Benue, and other states demands immediate and decisive leadership from home, not from a retreat abroad.”
Obi condemned the President’s absence, stating that over 150 Nigerians had been killed in recent weeks, with further instability evident in Plateau, Zamfara, and the Niger Delta.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar echoed similar concerns. In a statement released by his spokesperson Paul Ibe, Atiku decried the President’s prolonged stay in Europe, which he claims has amounted to 59 days since taking office.
“While Nigeria faces widespread insecurity and deepening poverty, the President remains abroad,” the statement read. “This is not just negligence; it’s dereliction of duty on a catastrophic scale.”
Atiku criticized the timing of the President’s working retreat, calling for immediate action from the nation’s leader.
Details of the President’s Visit
President Tinubu departed Nigeria for Paris on April 2, 2025, for what the Presidency described as a short working visit. The purpose of the trip, according to official sources, is to appraise the administration’s mid-term performance, review ongoing reforms, and engage in strategic planning ahead of his second anniversary in office.
While opposition leaders continue to press for the President’s return, the Presidency insists that national leadership remains intact and functional despite his physical absence from the country.
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