Tinubu Travels To France On Leave, Can Go Anywhere He Desires, Says Presidency

Abuja, Nigeria- The Presidency has responded to growing public reactions following President Bola Tinubu’s departure from the United Kingdom to France, clarifying that the president remains on a two-week leave.

Mr Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, reiterated that Tinubu’s movements were in line with his previously announced leave, which began on October 2.

Onanuga said President Tinubu is free to travel to any destination of his choice during his vacation.

In his earlier statement, Onanuga explained that the president had left the country for a two-week vacation, and emphasized that his absence was not due to any official engagements but purely for personal rest and recovery.

Amid speculations and political discussions surrounding his decision to travel to France after the UK, the presidency’s statement reaffirmed that Tinubu retains the liberty to visit any location during his time off, as the leave permits him the freedom to relax wherever he chooses.

Onanuga’s short statement had read, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja today for the United Kingdom to begin a two-week vacation, part of his yearly leave.

“He will use the two weeks as a working vacation and a retreat to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms.”

However, in another development, President Tinubu departed the United Kingdom for Paris, France on Friday.

The Special Assistant to the President on Political and other matters, Ibrahim Kabir Masari, via his verified X handle, @KabirIbrah64, said the President was expected to attend an important engagement.

Masari said that he had the honour of visiting President Tinubu at his private residence in the UK, where they engaged in productive discussions before departing for Paris.

”Today, I had the honour of visiting President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR at his private residence in the United Kingdom, where we engaged in productive discussions. We then departed for Paris, France, for another important engagement,” Masari had written.

In response to comments surrounding the trip, Onanuga addressed Nigerians on Friday night, clarifying that the President is not confined to the United Kingdom for his two-week leave.

Using his verified X account, Onanuga stated that the President is free to spend his leave anywhere he chooses.

“President Tinubu is on leave for two weeks. He is not restricted to the UK. It is his private time. He can go to anywhere he so desires. He is still observing his leave,” he said.