Tinubu will return to Nigeria today, says presidency

President Bola Tinubu is expected back in Nigeria today after his “working visit” to Europe.

Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to the president, announced Tinubu’s imminent return in an X post on Monday.

On April 2, Tinubu departed Abuja for Paris, the French capital, for a two-week “working visit”.

The president has now been away for 19 days.

Since Tinubu’s absence from the country, there has been a surge in killings and abductions by gunmen in several parts of the country, notably in Plateau and Benue states.

Opposition leaders like Atiku Abubakar have expressed concerns over the president’s continued stay abroad “as Nigeria bleeds”. 

On April 16, Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023, asked the president to suspend his France retreat amid the worsening insecurity back home.

Responding to the concerns, the presidency said Tinubu has maintained communication with key government officials since his departure.

The presidency had said the president left Paris for London on the weekend that preceded April 17.