President Bola Tinubu has reportedly postponed his planned return to Nigeria following a last-minute adjustment to his travel schedule.
Sources who spoke to TheCable disclosed that the President’s itinerary had been revised, with his return now expected on Tuesday. He was initially scheduled to arrive in Lagos on Sunday after spending several weeks in Europe on a working vacation.
Tinubu had been expected to spend about a week in Lagos before proceeding to Abuja, according to the earlier schedule.
The development comes days after the Presidency announced that the President had extended his stay abroad by a few days. The Presidency had said Tinubu remained in contact with government officials in Nigeria and continued to oversee the affairs of the country while away.
The Presidency had earlier indicated that the President would return at the weekend, but the latest change means his arrival has now been pushed to Tuesday.
Vice President Kashim Shettima had been representing Tinubu at some official engagements during his absence. However, Shettima travelled to New York on September 20 to represent Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The prolonged absence has also generated discussion over the constitutional procedure for transferring presidential powers.
Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution states that when the President proceeds on vacation, he is required to transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, after which the Vice President performs the President’s functions in an acting capacity.
The latest adjustment to Tinubu’s travel plans has therefore renewed attention on the duration of his stay outside the country and the arrangements for the discharge of presidential duties in his absence.
