President Bola Tinubu on  Sunday departed the nation’s capital for Europe, where he will spend three weeks on vacation as part of his annual leave, the State House announced.
The President’s first stop is London, United Kingdom, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja today for Europe to begin a three-week vacation as part of his annual leave. His first stop will be London, United Kingdom,” the statement read.
The Presidency described the trip as a “working vacation,” noting that President Tinubu is expected back in the country in time to join what it called the “hectic campaign” ahead of the January 2027 general elections.
Credible News reports that the trip is the latest in a series of foreign visits and private retreats the President has undertaken since assuming office in May 2023.
Tinubu, who won the disputed 2023 presidential election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress has frequently combined official engagements abroad — particularly in the United Kingdom and France — with periods of rest, a practice his aides have consistently defended as consistent with his constitutional entitlement to annual leave.
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Under Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), a president travelling on vacation is required to transmit a letter to the National Assembly formally designating the Vice President to act in his stead. The State House statement made no reference to such a transmission or to Vice President Kashim Shettima, now in Angola for the AU Summit, assuming acting presidential duties.
The timing of the vacation is politically significant. With the 2027 election cycle drawing closer, political parties have begun early manoeuvring, and the President’s return is expected to coincide with intensified campaign activities.
Presidential vacations abroad have historically drawn criticism from opposition figures and civil society groups, who argue that leaders should holiday at home to boost domestic tourism and signal confidence in local infrastructure — a debate that is likely to resurface in the coming weeks as the campaign season heats up.
Crediblenewsng.com
