President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, ended his working vacation in France and flew back from Paris to Lagos to hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President’s aircraft is expected to land at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, later today.
Tinubu departed Abuja on August 30 for the working vacation, spending one week in London before travelling to Paris.
His prolonged holiday abroad has lately been generating some hoopla, particularly amongst the opposition politicians, who have been questioning his alleged overstay in foreign lands.
An opposition political party, African Action Congress has even instituted a court case against President Tinubu over his alleged prolonged holiday abroad without formally handing over power to Vice President Shettima as acting president.
Presidency explained that Tinubu chose to fly to Lagos first to honour the memory of the late Chief MKO Abiola, the winner of the June 1993 presidential election and a prominent figure in Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
On Independence Day, October 1, the President is expected to attend the premiere of a movie honouring Abiola at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.
The statement added that Tinubu would also engage political leaders and associates during his stay in Lagos.
“While in Lagos, President Tinubu will also hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates over several days in preparation for the 2027 elections,” the statement read.
The President’s working vacation also included a private dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
He also held meetings with business leaders, including Vincent Bolloré of the Bolloré Group, whose media and digital interests include Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group.
President Tinubu, on Monday, met with the Chairman of First Holdings, Femi Otedola.
Last week, Tinubu witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ogun State Government and DP World for the construction of a Gateway deep seaport in Ogun Waterside and the creation of a Blue Marine Economic Zone in the area.
DP World, described by the Presidency as one of the world’s leading ports and logistics operators, plans to invest $7bn in the seaport and economic zone.
President Tinubu is expected to return to Abuja after concluding his political engagements in Lagos.
