By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu has extended his ongoing working vacation by a few days and is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend.

Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London, where he began the vacation. After spending about a week in the United Kingdom, the President travelled to Paris, France, where he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bollore.

Despite being outside the country, Tinubu has continued to receive updates on developments at home and has remained involved in the running of the government.

One of the issues he addressed while away was the death of 37 illegal miners in Minna. Tinubu ordered an independent panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths following the miners’ detention by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

During his absence, the President also assigned Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him at several official engagements.

Shettima, however, departed Abuja on September 20 for New York, where he is scheduled to participate in the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

With the Vice President also outside the country, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, will continue representing the President at official functions where necessary.

Tinubu’s absence from the United Nations General Assembly has generated political debate, with some opposition figures and groups questioning why the President would not personally attend the international gathering.

The Presidency has rejected what it described as claims concerning Tinubu’s decision to stay away from the event.

In a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency described suggestions by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying firm regarding Tinubu’s non-attendance at the UNGA as irresponsible.

The Presidency explained that Nigeria would still be represented at the high-level meeting, with Vice President Shettima scheduled to deliver the country’s national statement.

Tinubu’s extended stay abroad has also coincided with ongoing political activities within Nigeria.

On the political front, the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, has continued consultations with prominent traditional rulers alongside other senior political figures.

The consultations form part of ongoing political engagements involving leaders and stakeholders across the country.

Meanwhile, the federal government continues to manage official affairs while the President remains away.

Tinubu’s expected return at the weekend will bring his working vacation to an end, after which he is expected to resume his regular schedule in Nigeria.