Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s continued absence from Nigeria, saying the President had made it clear that his trip was a working leave and that modern technology allows him to continue performing his official duties from anywhere.
Lawal made the comments during an appearance on Channels Television’s Inside Sources while responding to criticism over Tinubu’s absence from the country and the President’s decision not to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly in person.
“When the President travelled, he said he was going on a working leave, which means he can be working for the country anywhere he is. That’s why we are investing in technology,” Lawal said.
The governor argued that Nigeria was evolving and should take advantage of technology to make governance possible across different locations.
“Nigeria is evolving, and the President can work anywhere. That is why we are investing so much in technology, to be able to work wherever you are,” he added.
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for what the Presidency initially described as a three-week working vacation, travelling first to London and subsequently to Paris, France.
On September 21, the Presidency announced that the President's stay had been extended by a few days and that he was expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend. The Presidency said Tinubu had remained in contact with officials at home and continued to direct the affairs of government while away.
Vice President Kashim Shettima was meanwhile mandated to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, where he was scheduled to deliver Nigeria’s national statement and participate in high-level meetings.
Lawal dismissed concerns about the President working from outside Nigeria, saying he did not consider the arrangement controversial.
“I don’t see that to be any controversial because he is not just resting; he is working for Nigeria,” the governor said.
The governor’s comments come amid a wider public and political debate over presidential attendance at the UN General Assembly and the significance of Tinubu’s absence from this year’s high-level meetings.
While Lawal defended the arrangement, other political figures have publicly criticised the President’s absence, making the issue part of the broader political debate surrounding the administration.
The Presidency, however, has maintained that Tinubu remains engaged with the affairs of government while on his working leave and that Nigeria is adequately represented at the UNGA through Shettima and other senior officials.
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