Tinubu lands in Paris for second leg of three-week European holiday

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has arrived in Paris, France, for the second phase of his three-week annual leave in Europe, moving his vacation from London to the French capital as political activity intensifies ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

Tinubu arrived in Paris on Sunday and was received by Nigeria’s Ambassador to France, Emmanuel Ayodele Oke, according to visuals released by the Presidency.

The President left Abuja on August 30 for what the Presidency described as a three-week vacation as part of his annual leave.

London was announced as his first destination, with Paris subsequently becoming the next stop on the itinerary.

The trip was announced by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said Tinubu would return to Nigeria after the working vacation to participate in preparations for the January 2027 general election.

The President’s move to Paris comes at a politically significant moment. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has now published the final list of presidential candidates and running mates for the 2027 election, formally placing Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima on the ballot for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Tinubu’s departure for Europe also coincided with the APC’s preparations for the coming election cycle. The party’s presidential campaign structure has already taken shape, with Tinubu and Shettima listed as chairman and vice-chairman of the Presidential Campaign Council.

Although the leave is officially a vacation, the Presidency has described it as a working vacation, stressing that Tinubu would remain engaged with national affairs while abroad.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said before the President’s departure that Tinubu would continue receiving briefings from ministers, service chiefs and other senior officials dealing with critical national matters.

Dare said the President would remain engaged with state matters on a daily basis despite being away from Nigeria.

The arrangement has previously generated debate over the constitutional implications of a president proceeding on an extended foreign vacation, particularly regarding the formal transfer of presidential powers to the Vice President.

The issue was examined by legal and constitutional commentators following Tinubu’s departure on August 30.

The Presidency, however, has maintained that Tinubu remains in charge and will continue to oversee key government matters during the period.