The Presidency has assured Nigerians that President Bola Tinubu is “hale and hearty”, dismissing concerns over his absence from Abuja and the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made this known in a statement posted on X on Sunday, saying the President is currently on his annual vacation but remains engaged with official duties.
“President Tinubu is hale and hearty,” the statement said, adding that the President is “perfectly entitled” to take a working vacation.
The Presidency argued that advances in technology have made it possible for the President to discharge his responsibilities without being physically present in Abuja.
“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,” it said.
According to the statement, Tinubu has continued to engage in official activities while abroad, including meetings with investors in France.
The Presidency also referenced the proposed $7 billion deep-sea port project in Ogun Waterside, describing it as an Ogun State Government initiative that Tinubu had recently helped facilitate.
Addressing concerns over Tinubu’s absence from the United Nations General Assembly, the Presidency noted that some other African leaders, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, were also not in New York for the gathering.
“Two other important African leaders were not in New York for the UNGA,” the statement said.
It noted that Tinubu had announced his annual vacation and delegated Nigeria’s representation at the UN General Assembly to Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The Presidency also criticised former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi over his comments regarding Tinubu’s whereabouts.
“Yet Peter Obi pretends to be unaware of President Tinubu’s whereabouts,” the statement said.
The Presidency said Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria this week ahead of the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
It added that the President is expected to attend the premiere of a film about the late businessman and democracy campaigner MKO Abiola in Lagos as part of activities to commemorate his legacy.
