Can the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu travel as he pleases while observing his annual vacation?
Commentators on social media do not think so. The raging controversy on social media was exacerbated after his media aide, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, reacted to blistering vituperations over his movement between two European countries. Omanuga said the president is still on his two weeks leave and can travel wherever he likes.
Livid reactions followed the comment on social media after it emerged that Tinubu proceeded to France from the United Kingdom.
The presidency had disclosed early in the week that the President would use his two weeks leave as a working vacation and a retreat to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms.
On Friday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political and Other Matters, Ibrahim Masari, said he met with the President at his private residence in the United Kingdom.
His words on his verified X: “Today, I had the honor of visiting President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR at his private residence in the United Kingdom, where we engaged in productive discussions. We then departed for Paris, France, for another important engagement.”
Many Nigerians went gaga following the revelation. They accused him of taking the country for granted and junketting on scarce financial resources, while calling on citizens to tighten their belts.
Mr Onanuga, in his reaction on X worsened matters by declaring: “President Tinubu is on leave for two weeks. He is not restricted to the UK. It is his private time.
“He can go to anywhere he so desires. He is still observing his leave.”
The comments led to a fresh barrage of criticisms directed at him and his principal.
