Tinubu Adds a Few Days to Working Vacation, Aide Says

President Tinubu will remain on his working vacation for a few additional days, presidential media aide Bayo Onanuga said in a statement issued on the evening of September 21. Tinubu had left Nigeria on August 30 for London to start the working vacation. Following about a week in London, he traveled to Paris, France, where he held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Mr Vincent Bollore. Bollore's media group includes Canal+, Multichoice, and Universal Music Group. According to Onanuga, Tinubu has stayed in contact with Nigeria throughout the vacation and has been directing national matters. These included ordering an independent panel to look into the deaths of 37 illegal miners in Minna after they were detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, along with other issues. During his absence, Tinubu assigned Vice President Kashim Shettima to stand in for him at certain official events. Shettima departed Abuja on September 20 for New York to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly. Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, who has also represented the President at events, will keep doing so. The statement added that on the political side, Senator Abubakar Yari, Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), has been heading notable party leaders in discussions with prominent traditional rulers in the country.