“What Is Tinubu Doing in Paris?” — Atiku’s Aide Challenges Presidency

“What Is Tinubu Doing in Paris?” — Atiku’s Aide Challenges Presidency

By Our Correspondent

The media aide to former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, has challenged the Presidency to publish details of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s substantive engagements in Paris and the outcomes of his activities during his prolonged stay in France.

Ibe made the demand on Monday, September 28, 2026, amid renewed questions over Tinubu’s continued absence from Nigeria after the period initially announced for his three-week working vacation.

Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London to begin what the Presidency described as a three-week annual working vacation. He subsequently travelled to Paris, where he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and French businessman Vincent Bolloré.

Ibe said Nigerians deserved sufficient information about the official engagements being undertaken by Tinubu in France, arguing that the Presidency should provide details that would enable the public to assess the purpose and outcome of the President’s extended stay abroad.

According to him, the issue was not whether the President was “hale and hearty”, but why his stay abroad had continued beyond the period initially announced by the Presidency.

“The Presidency should publish Tinubu’s substantive engagements and their outcomes. Nigerians can then judge whether this prolonged absence is justified,” Ibe said, according to a report published on Monday.

The Atiku aide also questioned the reference to the proposed $7 billion Ogun deep-seaport project as part of the explanation for Tinubu’s activities in France.

He noted that the agreement was between the Ogun State Government and DP World, with Tinubu witnessing the signing, and questioned its relevance to the justification for the President’s prolonged stay in France.

The Presidency, however, has maintained that Tinubu’s absence from Nigeria does not mean he has stopped performing his presidential duties.

In a September 21 statement, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu had extended his working vacation by a few days and would return to Nigeria at the weekend.

The Presidency said the President had remained in contact with officials at home and continued directing government affairs while abroad. It cited, among other activities, Tinubu’s decision to order an independent panel to investigate the deaths of 37 illegal miners in Minna.

The State House also confirmed that Tinubu met Bolloré in Paris on September 18 over plans to deepen investment in Nigeria’s creative and digital economy.

According to the Presidency, the discussions covered areas including film, entertainment and fibre-optic infrastructure, with the Bolloré Group indicating plans to deepen its operations and investments in Nigeria.

Ibe also questioned Tinubu’s decision to remain in France while the 81st United Nations General Assembly was taking place in New York.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria at the UN General Assembly, while Tinubu remained in Europe. The Presidency explained that Shettima was representing the President and would deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the global gathering.

Ibe contrasted Tinubu’s continued stay in France with French President Emmanuel Macron’s movements, noting that Macron had hosted Tinubu in Paris before travelling to New York for the UN General Assembly.

“Meanwhile, Emmanuel Macron, who hosted Tinubu at the Élysée Palace, travelled to New York for UNGA and returned while Tinubu remained in France on housekeeping duties,” Ibe said.

Tinubu’s prolonged stay has continued to generate political debate, particularly following reports that his expected return to Nigeria had been postponed.

TheCable reported on September 27 that the President’s return plans had been changed at the last minute, with Tuesday being reported as the likely new return date. The reason for the change was not immediately disclosed.

The development has also triggered debate over Section 145 of the Nigerian Constitution, which deals with the President’s absence from office and the transmission of written declarations concerning vacation or inability to discharge presidential functions.

Atiku and his media aide have previously questioned whether the constitutional procedure was followed during Tinubu’s prolonged absence. The Presidency and other government officials have maintained that Tinubu remains in charge of the country’s affairs.

The latest exchange has therefore centred on two positions: the Presidency’s assertion that Tinubu has continued to conduct official business from abroad, and the opposition’s demand for greater disclosure about the President’s activities and the reasons for his extended stay in France.

 

“What Is Tinubu Doing in Paris?” — Atiku’s Aide Challenges Presidency