President Bola Tinubu has delayed his return to Nigeria after a last-minute change to his travel plans, with the president now expected to arrive on Tuesday.
Tinubu had planned to return at the weekend after spending several weeks in Europe on what the presidency called a working vacation. No reason has been given for the latest change.
The president left Nigeria for London on August 30 as part of his annual leave before travelling to Paris, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
The presidency had earlier said Tinubu would return at the weekend after extending his stay abroad by a few days. He was expected to arrive in Lagos and remain there for up to a week before heading to Abuja.
While Tinubu was away, Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented him at some official events and travelled to New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
His extended absence has also led to debate over the constitutional rules on presidential powers when the president is away for a long period.
Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution says a president on vacation should send a written declaration to the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, allowing the vice-president to act on his behalf.
But Senate President Godswill Akpabio said there is no vacancy in Aso Rock, insisting that Tinubu remains in charge of the country’s affairs despite his absence.
