KEY POINTS
• President Bola Tinubu has returned to Lagos after an extended working vacation in Europe, saying he is healthy and ready to resume work.
• Tinubu dismissed reports about his health, saying rumours surrounding his condition were linked to politics.
• The President is expected to participate in activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary before returning to Abuja.
MAIN STORY
President Bola Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after a month-long working vacation in Europe, assuring Nigerians that he is healthy and ready to resume full official duties.
Tinubu spoke on Tuesday evening shortly after arriving at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, where he was received by senior government officials and political leaders.
Responding to questions about his health, the President dismissed the concerns surrounding his condition and said he remained fit to work.
“Rumours will always emanate from politics, but the fact remains that I am here, healthy, sound and ready to go. Ready to work, and ready to go,” he said.
Tinubu also described his vacation as enjoyable when asked about the period spent abroad, before indicating that he was back to work.
The President left Nigeria on Aug. 30 for what the Presidency described as a working vacation, initially travelling to London before proceeding to Paris, France.
During his stay in France, he held official engagements, including a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. The Presidency had announced on Sept. 21 that the vacation would be extended by a few days.
His return to Lagos comes ahead of Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary on Oct. 1, with the President scheduled to participate in official activities marking the occasion.
These include his nationwide broadcast and events honouring the late Chief MKO Abiola. He is expected to remain in Lagos for the anniversary activities before returning to Abuja.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, who was among those at the airport to receive Tinubu, expressed optimism that the President’s period of rest would be followed by increased activity.
“It is incredibly nice to have him after one month away, and we believe that the days he has spent resting will translate into more action this time around,” Abbas said.
Also at the airport were Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State; and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.
THE ISSUES
- Tinubu’s return ends an extended period away from Nigeria that the Presidency had officially described as a working vacation. His immediate schedule includes national anniversary activities in Lagos before his expected return to Abuja.
- The President’s comments directly address speculation about his health, which he characterised as politically motivated. His statement that he is ready to work provides his own account of his condition, without independently establishing any medical assessment.
- The return also restores the President to physical presence in Nigeria for upcoming official engagements, including the Independence Anniversary broadcast and events connected with the commemoration of MKO Abiola.
WHAT’S BEING SAID
“Rumours will always emanate from politics, but the fact remains that I am here, healthy, sound and ready to go. Ready to work, and ready to go.” — President Bola Tinubu.
“It is incredibly nice to have him after one month away, and we believe that the days he has spent resting will translate into more action this time around.” — Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker, House of Representatives.
WHAT’S NEXT
Tinubu is expected to participate in Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary activities in Lagos on Oct. 1, including his nationwide broadcast and other official engagements.
The President is expected to return to Abuja after the Lagos engagements and resume his regular schedule.
BOTTOM LINE
Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after his European working vacation and says he is healthy and ready to work. His first major engagements will be tied to the Oct. 1 Independence Anniversary activities in Lagos before his expected return to Abuja.
