‘He’s on leave, can go anywhere’ — Presidency defends Tinubu’s France trip

The special adviser on information and strategy to the president, Bayo Onanuga, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s recent international trips.

On October 2, the presidency announced Tinubu’s departure from Abuja to the UK for a two-week vacation as part of his annual leave.

On August 29, Tinubu left Abuja for China but stopped in Dubai before arriving in Beijing on September 1 for a state visit and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

On September 16, the president returned to Abuja after the “fruitful two-week trip” to China, Dubai and the UK.

On Friday, Kabir Masari, the senior special assistant on political matters to the president, said he visited Tinubu at his private residence in the UK.

In a post on X on Friday, Masari said Tinubu departed the UK to France after their meeting.

The post generated mixed reactions with some Nigerians questioning the president’s recent international trips.

In a tweet on Friday night, Onanuga said the president is currently on a two-week leave and can travel wherever he wishes.

“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,” Onanuga wrote in a post on X.