President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has departed Abuja for Europe to begin a three-week vacation as part of his annual leave, the Presidency has announced.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu’s first destination is London, United Kingdom.
The Presidency described the trip as a working vacation and said the President is expected to return to Nigeria at the end of the three-week period to participate in preparations for the January 2027 general elections.
The vacation comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) opened the campaign period on August 19, allowing political parties and candidates to commence campaign activities for the polls.
Tinubu, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is expected to face opposition candidates including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the Peter Obi-Rabiu Kwankwaso ticket of the New Democratic Congress (NDC).
The President’s trip follows Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s recent two-week leave, which began on August 6. Shettima returned to official duties after the approved break and has since represented the President at official engagements, including an African Union meeting in Angola.
The Presidency has not, in the statement announcing Tinubu’s vacation, provided details of his itinerary beyond identifying London as his first stop.
Tinubu is expected to resume his official activities in Nigeria after the three-week vacation as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
