By Obah Sylva
President Bola Tinubu is now expected to return to Nigeria on Tuesday, September 29, after earlier reports said he would arrive at the weekend. The latest schedule, reported by THISDAY on September 27 and attributed to Presidency sources, places his arrival in Lagos.
The Presidency has not publicly announced the Tuesday date or explained the reported change. Its last official statement, issued on September 21, said Tinubu had extended his working vacation by a few days and would return at the weekend. Other media reports had also cited Sunday as his expected return date, so the Tuesday schedule remains subject to official confirmation.
Key Highlights
- Tinubu is now expected to return on Tuesday, September 29, according to reports citing Presidency sources.
- The reported itinerary has him arriving in Lagos before resuming official engagements.
- The Presidency’s September 21 statement had said he would return at the weekend.
- Earlier media reports also cited Sunday, leaving different return dates in circulation.
- His extended absence has prompted political questions about Section 145 of the Constitution.
- Atiku Abubakar and some lawmakers have asked whether the required written declaration was sent to the National Assembly leadership.
- The Presidency has said Tinubu remained in contact with officials and continued directing government affairs while abroad.
Tinubu’s Return Date Reportedly Revised
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for what the Presidency described as a three-week working vacation in Europe. He travelled first to London and later to Paris, where the Presidency said he met French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
On September 21, the State House announced that Tinubu had extended his stay by a few days and would return at the weekend. A later report by TheCable, citing sources familiar with his itinerary, said he was expected in Lagos on Sunday. THISDAY subsequently reported on September 27 that sources in the Presidency now expected him on Tuesday, September 29.
The differing schedules have not been reconciled in a new public statement from the Presidency. The reason for the reported change has also not been disclosed.
Expected Arrival in Lagos
THISDAY reported that Tinubu is expected to arrive at the presidential wing of Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and remain there for official duties before travelling to Abuja. The report, citing Presidency sources, said he is expected to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary in Lagos on October 1.
Those details are based on media reports citing unnamed sources; the Presidency has not publicly confirmed the arrival itinerary or Independence Day schedule.
Absence Prompts Questions About Section 145
The extended stay has renewed debate about Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, which addresses the transfer of presidential functions when the President proceeds on vacation or is otherwise unable to perform the functions of office.
The provision says the President is to transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Until a contrary declaration is sent, the Vice-President performs the President’s functions as Acting President. Subsection 145(2) separately provides for the National Assembly to mandate the Vice-President to act if the President is unable or fails to transmit the declaration within 21 days.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has asked whether the declaration was transmitted and called on the National Assembly leadership to clarify whether it received one, as reported by Channels Television. Some lawmakers under the Save Democracy Group have also urged the National Assembly to establish whether the constitutional procedure was followed.
These are questions and allegations raised by political figures. They do not by themselves establish that the President breached the Constitution. The relevant constitutional text is available through the National Library of Nigeria’s Constitution repository.
Presidency Says Tinubu Remains in Contact
In its September 21 statement, the Presidency said Tinubu had remained in touch with developments at home and continued to direct government affairs while abroad. It said Vice-President Kashim Shettima had represented him at official engagements, including the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, while Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume represented him at other functions.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has also rejected claims that Tinubu’s absence created a vacancy in the presidency, saying the President remained in charge of the country’s affairs, according to media reports.
Public Reaction to the Delayed Return
Public and political reactions have focused on the reported change in the President’s travel schedule, the length of his stay abroad and the constitutional arrangements for presidential functions. Critics have called for greater clarity about the return date and any Section 145 declaration, while the Presidency has maintained that Tinubu continued directing government affairs.
With different return dates reported by media outlets and no new official schedule publicly issued, the Tuesday, September 29 arrival remains a reported itinerary rather than a confirmed announcement from the State House.
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