President Bola Tinubu returned to Nigeria on Tuesday evening after spending four weeks abroad on a ‘working vacation.’
The president’s plane landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 6:22 p.m., Channels Television reports.
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The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen; Deputy Senate President, Jubrin Barau; Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazak; and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, received him.
Others include Lagos State Deputy Governor and APC gubernatorial candidate Obafemi Hamzat and his running mate, Damilola James.
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Earlier in the day, the Presidency announced that President Tinubu had ended his working vacation and departed Paris for a homeward journey to Nigeria.
It said the president’s aircraft was expected to land at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, later in the evening.
It also said the Nigerian leader chose to fly to Lagos first to honour the memory of late MKO Abiola, the martyr of Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
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It added, “On Independence Day, the President will attend the premiere of a movie honouring Abiola, the winner of the June 1993 election, at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.
“While in Lagos, President Tinubu will also hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates over several days in preparation for the 2027 elections,” the statement by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, said.
President Tinubu will return to Abuja after his political engagements in Lagos.
Itinerary
President Tinubu departed Abuja on 30 August for the working vacation. He spent one week in London before heading for Paris.
While in Paris, he attended a private dinner with President Emmanuel Macron. He also met with business leaders, including Vincent Bolloré of the Bolloré Group, whose media and digital interests include Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group.
On Monday, he also met with the Chairman of First Holdings, Femi Otedola.
Last week, President Tinubu witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ogun State Government and DP World to build a Gateway deep seaport in Ogun Waterside and create a Blue Marine Economic Zone in the area.
DP World, one of the world’s leading ports and logistics operators, plans to invest $7 billion for the seaport and the economic zone.
READ ALSO: I’m healthy, ready to work, Tinubu says on return from four-week vacation
Concerns over trip
While he was away, the president’s absence raised concerns among many Nigerians, especially after the vacation was extended beyond its initial three-week schedule.
The president’s inability to attend the United Nations General Assembly for the third consecutive year also worsened concerns. It was the third consecutive time President Tinubu delegated his deputy, Kashim Shettima, to represent him at UNGA.
Vice President Shettima left Abuja on 20 September for New York to represent the president at the 81st UN General Assembly and deliver Nigeria’s national statement.
Meanwhile, the government repeatedly defended the president, saying Mr Shettima had his full mandate to represent Nigeria and the country would be fully represented at the global gathering.
It said the Nigerian leader remained in contact with officials back home and continued to direct government affairs from abroad.
According to the Presidency, while Mr Shettima was away, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, would represent the president at some official events.
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