President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after spending about four weeks in Europe, ending an extended absence that generated political and constitutional debate.
Tinubu arrived in Lagos on Tuesday, September 29, after departing Paris, France, where he had spent the final part of his trip. The Presidency had initially announced a three-week working vacation but later extended the President’s stay by several days.
Speaking after his return, Tinubu said he was “healthy, sound, and ready to go”, dismissing concerns about his wellbeing.
“I enjoyed myself. Fantastic,” the President said when asked about his time in Europe. He added that he was “ready to kick” and said there was nothing wrong with him.
Tinubu’s Europe trip sparks constitutional debate
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London to begin what the Presidency described as a working vacation. He later travelled to Paris, where he held several official and business engagements.
The Presidency said Tinubu remained in contact with officials in Nigeria and continued to direct government affairs while abroad. It also maintained that his physical absence from the country did not prevent him from performing his presidential duties.
However, the length of the President’s stay generated questions over whether the constitutional procedure for presidential absence had been followed.
Former Minister of Youth and Sports Solomon Dalung accused Tinubu of violating the Constitution by proceeding on vacation without transmitting power to Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Dalung argued that the Constitution does not recognise the term “working vacation” and pointed specifically to Section 145, which deals with the President’s inability to perform the functions of his office.
The Presidency has maintained that Tinubu continued to perform his responsibilities from abroad.
AAC files suit over Tinubu’s absence
The controversy also resulted in a legal challenge.
The African Action Congress (AAC) filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja against Tinubu, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and the National Assembly.
The party is asking the court to determine whether the President could proceed on vacation without transmitting a written declaration to the Senate President and Speaker of the House, as provided under Section 145(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
The AAC is also challenging the National Assembly’s handling of the situation after Tinubu’s absence exceeded 21 days. The party is seeking declarations concerning Section 145(2), as well as an order preventing the President from taking future vacations without transmitting the required declaration.
No hearing date had been fixed for the case when the reports were published.
Shettima represented Nigeria at UNGA
The controversy intensified after Vice President Kashim Shettima travelled to New York to represent Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The Presidency said Shettima was representing Tinubu and would deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the gathering.
The situation prompted further debate because both the President and Vice President were outside Nigeria during part of the period.
Tinubu resumes activities after return
Tinubu’s return brings his approximately four-week European stay to an end.
During the trip, he met French President Emmanuel Macron, businessman Vincent Bolloré and other business figures. He also witnessed the signing of agreements involving the Ogun State Government and DP World concerning planned investments in the state.
The President is now expected to resume official activities in Nigeria, including engagements connected to the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
Meanwhile, the constitutional questions surrounding his prolonged absence remain subject to political debate and the pending court case filed by the AAC.