Despite being overseas, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is still firmly in control of national affairs, the presidency has said following backlash from Nigerians who criticized the president for being away while insecurity ravages the country.
According to a statement released on Thursday, April 17, presidential aide Bayo Onanuga clarified that the president’s European trip is both temporary and within the previously announced two-week timeline.
Tinubu is expected to return to the country following the Easter 2025 festivities.
Onanuga noted that Tinubu left Paris for London over the weekend and has been in steady contact with top government officials, including issuing strategic directives to security chiefs to tackle security concerns across different regions of Nigeria.
“President Tinubu remains committed to his responsibilities and has continued to supervise crucial national matters even while abroad,” the statement read. “He will return to Aso Villa once the Easter break is over.”
The presidency also acknowledged the concerns of Nigerians about Tinubu’s absence and reassured the public that governance remains on course without disruptions.
Meanwhile, AFRIPOST had reported that former vice president and PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar expressed alarm over the nation’s deteriorating security situation.
In a statement by his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku criticized Tinubu’s foreign stay amid increasing violence, particularly in Nigeria’s northcentral region.
He described the country’s condition as a “full-blown emergency.”