By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria

The Presidency has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains in good condition and continues to perform his official responsibilities despite being outside Nigeria on a working vacation.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made the statement in a post on his X account on Sunday while responding to questions surrounding the President’s whereabouts.

Onanuga said Tinubu was not required to be physically present in Abuja to carry out his presidential duties, noting that modern digital communication allows the President to remain engaged with government affairs while travelling.

“Nigeria’s President is hale and hearty. He has been on a working vacation, which he is perfectly entitled to,” Onanuga said.

He added that Tinubu had continued to work during his time abroad, including holding discussions with investors in France.

According to the presidential aide, the President had also recently facilitated a $7 billion deep-sea port project planned for Ogun Waterside, an initiative of the Ogun State Government.

Onanuga further addressed concerns over Tinubu’s absence from the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York.

He noted that Tinubu was not the only African leader who was absent from the gathering, pointing to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi as other leaders who did not attend the UNGA.

According to Onanuga, Ramaphosa had excused himself from public engagements, while he said there had been no similar level of public reaction in Egypt over el-Sisi’s absence.

The presidential aide also recalled that Tinubu had announced his annual vacation and delegated Nigeria’s representation at the UN General Assembly to Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The President’s absence has nevertheless generated public discussion, with opposition figures and groups seeking greater clarity about his whereabouts and activities while abroad.

Onanuga also criticised former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi over comments concerning Tinubu’s location.

He accused Obi of pretending not to know where the President was and questioned the remarks made by the former presidential candidate on social media.

The Presidency has maintained that Tinubu’s trip is a working vacation rather than an absence from official responsibilities.

Onanuga said the President was expected to return to Nigeria during the week ahead of activities marking the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

Upon his return, Tinubu is also expected to participate in events in Lagos, including a premiere honouring the late Chief MKO Abiola.

Onanuga said the President would attend the premiere of a movie produced in memory of Abiola, whom he described as a significant figure in Nigeria’s democratic struggle.

The development comes amid continued public interest in the President’s overseas stay and his participation in national and international engagements.

While the Presidency has provided its explanation for Tinubu’s absence from Abuja and the UN General Assembly, reactions to the situation have continued among political figures and members of the public.