Dino Melaye mocks Tinubu over his prolonged Europe vacation as the President’s return to Nigeria is now expected on September 29
Former Kogi State senator Dino Melaye mocked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday, September 28, 2026, over the President’s prolonged stay in Europe, as Tinubu’s return to Nigeria was rescheduled for Tuesday, September 29.
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Melaye, in a post on X, wrote: “President Tinubu is expected to visit Nigeria next week.” His remark was framed as a sarcastic response to the repeated changes to the President’s travel schedule.
Tinubu has been outside Nigeria since August 30, when he travelled to London to begin what the Presidency initially described as a three-week working vacation as part of his annual leave.
After spending about a week in London, Tinubu travelled to Paris, where he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
The Presidency initially said Tinubu would return at the weekend after extending his stay by several days.
That plan was subsequently revised, with his return now expected on Tuesday, according to Presidency sources and reports from Nigerian media.
The latest itinerary indicates that Tinubu will arrive in Lagos, where he is expected to remain through October 1, Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
He is expected to deliver a national broadcast before returning to Abuja later in the week.
The Presidency has maintained that Tinubu has continued to discharge his responsibilities while abroad.
Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, said Tinubu had remained engaged with official matters despite being outside the country.
“President Tinubu is hale and hearty. He has been on a working vacation, which he is perfectly entitled to,” Onanuga said, adding that the President did not need to be physically present in Abuja to carry out his responsibilities in the digital age.
The Presidency has also pointed to several official engagements during the trip, including Tinubu’s meetings in France and directives issued from abroad.
It said Vice-President Kashim Shettima and Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume had represented the President at various official events.
Tinubu’s extended absence has nevertheless attracted criticism from opposition politicians.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and other opposition figures have questioned the decision for the President to remain abroad for an extended period, while the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council has also demanded greater clarity over the extension of the vacation.
The President’s absence also coincided with the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Shettima represented Nigeria at the gathering after travelling to the United States on September 20.
Melaye’s latest comment adds a political and humorous dimension to an issue that has increasingly become part of public debate around the President’s schedule.
The former senator, a prominent critic of the administration, has previously questioned the absence of both Tinubu and Shettima from Nigeria during the President’s European trip.
For now, the Presidency says Tinubu is expected back in Nigeria on Tuesday, with Lagos set to host his first engagements after the extended European stay.
His return would come two days before Independence Day, when the President is scheduled to participate in anniversary activities and address Nigerians.
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The latest schedule therefore places an end to the much-discussed overseas stay within sight, although Melaye’s sarcastic remark reflects the political attention generated by the successive changes to the President’s return plans.
