The presidency has assured Nigerians that, despite President Bola Tinubu‘s absence from the country, he remains fully engaged in Nigeria’s governance while in France.
The response comes a few days after the former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, and other concerned Nigerians requested the return of Tinubu, over the spate of insecurity in Northern Nigeria.
Peter Obi, in a statement via his 𝕏 handle on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, said the call became necessary due to the rising incidents of crimes and criminalities all over Nigeria with an apparent absence of governance.
Peter Obi lamented that in two weeks, over 150 Nigerians have lost their lives to insecurity across Nigeria, especially in the Plateau and Zamfara states.
According to Peter Obi, the primary duty of any government is securing the lives and property of its citizens, and one wonders about the type of retreat Tinubu is attending in another country, where their leaders have secured peace while blood continues to flow in Nigeria.
However, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Thursday, April 17, 2025, stated that Tinubu’s absence remains temporary and is in line with the communicated timeframe of approximately two weeks.
He stated that Tinubu has maintained constant communication with key government officials, overseeing critical national matters, including directives to security chiefs to address emerging threats in some parts of the country.
Onanuga added that Tinubu’s return to Abuja and the resumption of duties at Aso Villa will follow the conclusion of the Easter holiday.
The statement reads, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains fully engaged in Nigeria’s governance even though he is away in Europe. His absence remains temporary and in line with the communicated timeframe of approximately two weeks.
“The President left Paris for London at the weekend and has maintained constant communication with key government officials, overseeing critical national matters, including directives to security chiefs to address emerging threats in some parts of the country.
“His return to Abuja and the resumption of duties at Aso Villa will follow the conclusion of the Easter holiday. The President’s commitment to his duties remains unwavering, and his administration continues to function effectively under his leadership.
“We appreciate the public’s concern and assure all Nigerians that governance proceeds without interruption.”
