Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga has defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to embark on his annual vacation, saying the President can effectively discharge his responsibilities without being physically present in Abuja.

Onanuga said Tinubu had continued working during the vacation, including holding meetings with investors in France and supporting efforts that recently facilitated a $7 billion deep-sea port project in Ogun Waterside, an initiative of the Ogun State Government.

He argued that the President’s physical absence from Abuja did not prevent him from carrying out his official duties in an era of digital communication.

Onanuga also noted that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi were absent from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

According to him, Ramaphosa had booked himself off public engagements, while Tinubu formally announced his annual vacation and delegated Nigeria’s representation at the UNGA to Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The presidential spokesman criticised former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate Peter Obi for questioning Tinubu’s whereabouts, describing the query as “puerile”.

“President Tinubu is hale and hearty. He has been on a working vacation, which he is perfectly entitled to.

“In this digital age, he does not need to be physically present in Abuja to do the work for which he was elected in 2023.”

Onanuga said Tinubu was expected to return to Nigeria this week ahead of the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary celebrations.

He added that the President would also honour the late MKO Abiola, whom he described as “the martyr of the democracy we enjoy today”, by attending the Lagos premiere of a film commemorating the former politician and businessman.