President Bola Tinubu departs Abuja, begins three weeks’ vacation in Europe

President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja for Europe to begin a three-week vacation as part of his annual leave.

The President’s first destination is London, United Kingdom, according to a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Onanuga said Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria after the working vacation to join the campaign ahead of the January 2027 general elections.

“His first stop will be London, United Kingdom,” Onanuga said.

He added that Tinubu would return to Nigeria at the end of the break to participate in what is expected to be an intense electioneering period.

“President Tinubu is expected to return home after the working vacation to join the hectic campaign for the January 2027 election,” Onanuga said.

The President’s departure comes barely two weeks after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) opened the campaign period for the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027. The governorship and state House of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6.

Tinubu, who is seeking a second term on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), enters the campaign season amid a highly competitive political environment and growing scrutiny of his administration’s economic record.

His government has defended major reforms, including the removal of petrol subsidy and the liberalisation of the foreign-exchange market, as necessary measures to stabilise public finances and rebuild the economy.

The reforms, however, have been accompanied by a severe cost-of-living crisis, with inflation, declining purchasing power and insecurity emerging as major issues likely to shape voters’ decisions.

The President faces prominent challengers, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, while the opposition remains divided after efforts to forge a broad coalition against the APC failed to produce a unified presidential ticket.

Tinubu has also strengthened the APC’s political machinery ahead of the election, with a large number of state governors now aligned with the ruling party. The development has increased the party’s organisational reach while simultaneously fuelling opposition concerns about the concentration of political power.

The President’s vacation also follows a recent 12-day leave taken by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who resumed official duties on August 18 after the Presidency said his break was intended to provide time for “study, reflection and intellectual renewal.” Shettima subsequently represented Tinubu at the African Union summit in Angola.

While the Presidency described Tinubu’s trip as a “working vacation,” the three-week absence places his return squarely within a crucial phase of the 2027 election cycle.

His post-vacation schedule is therefore expected to be dominated by campaign activities as the APC seeks to secure another presidential mandate.