The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has verified that the Nigerian leader is presently in Europe. Onanuga additionally affirmed in a statement on Tuesday that President Tinubu is scheduled to return to Nigeria tomorrow, Wednesday, 8th May. He communicated on the X platform that “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accompanied by his team, will be back in Nigeria tomorrow from Europe.”
This clarification from the presidential media aide comes after various concerns were raised by Nigerians regarding President Tinubu’s whereabouts. Following his participation at the World Economic Forum in Riyadh from April 28-29, President Bola Tinubu left Saudi Arabia with an expectation to return to Nigeria, which did not happen, leading to speculations about his location.
Reports from Sahara Reporters suggested that after departing Riyadh, President Tinubu traveled to London, England. This London trip was unexpected, as it was not mentioned in previous statements by his media adviser, Ajuri Ngelale.
The news platform detailed that Tinubu departed Riyadh International Airport at 12:05 am (02:05 am Saudi Arabian time) and landed at Stansted Airport, London, at 06:35 am UK time, using a Gulfstream Aerospace GV-SP (G550) aircraft with registration number 5N-FGW. During this trip, the aircraft was designated as “Nigerian Air Force 1,” a standard practice for presidential travels to ensure safety and security.
While the presidency neither confirmed nor denied Tinubu’s alleged trip to London initially, Onanuga has now confirmed that the President and his team are expected to return to Nigeria on Wednesday.
