By Kazeem Waris
President Bola Tinubu on Monday evening returned to Abuja after spending several days in Lagos, where he held a series of official and political engagements following his return to Nigeria from a working vacation in Europe.
The President’s aircraft landed at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at about 7:45 p.m.
Tinubu was received by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Director of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ibrahim Sule Dan Agundi; and other senior security officials.
His return to the nation’s capital ends his latest stay in Lagos, which followed his arrival in Nigeria last Tuesday after spending time in London and Paris during his working vacation.
Upon his arrival in Lagos last week, Tinubu dismissed speculation about his health, saying he was fit and ready to resume his duties.
“Ready to kick, ready to work. There’s nothing wrong. Rumour will always be emanating from politics, but the facts remain I’m here: healthy, sound and ready to go,” the President told journalists.
Asked how he spent his vacation, Tinubu simply replied: “I enjoyed myself.”
The President’s return to Lagos had attracted a number of senior government and political officials, including Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, who expressed optimism that Tinubu would return to official duties with renewed energy.
During his stay in Lagos, the President participated in activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
He and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, attended the October 1 national premiere of MKO, a documentary chronicling the life and democratic struggle of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.
The screening was held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts in Lagos.
The documentary examined Abiola’s political journey, the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election and the pro-democracy struggle that followed.
Tinubu also received several senior government officials and political leaders at his Lagos residence.
Among them was Vice President Kashim Shettima, who visited the President on Saturday.
Speaking after the meeting, Shettima said he had remained in regular contact with Tinubu throughout the President’s time abroad and described him as fully engaged with developments in the country.
The Vice President also defended the administration’s economic reforms, arguing that the difficult decisions taken since 2023 were necessary to stabilise the economy and lay the groundwork for recovery.
With Tinubu now back in Abuja, attention is expected to shift to his official schedule in the capital and preparations for political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
