48 hours after FBI submits his records to US court, Tinubu proceeds on European vacation
*Onanuga’s statement indicates Tinubu will return to continue 2027 election engagements
By KEMI KASUMU
The statement said President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria at the end of what it described as a working vacation to resume his engagements ahead of the January 2027 election.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has departed Abuja for Europe to begin a three-week vacation as part of his annual leave, 48 hours after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reportedly submitted records concerning him to a United States court.
According to a statement issued on Sunday, August 30, 2026, by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu’s first destination during the trip is London, United Kingdom, before proceeding to his undisclosed destination in Europe.
The statement said President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria at the end of what it described as a working vacation to resume his engagements ahead of the January 2027 election.
Tinubu’s departure comes amid renewed public attention to controversies surrounding his academic records from Chicago State University and documents relating to allegations of drug trafficking and money laundering that have featured in legal proceedings in the United States of America.
The issues have generated significant debate in Nigeria, particularly following the release of information concerning his academic records and the continuing legal battle over access to FBI records.
Some analysts have interpreted disclosure of the documents as an opportunity for the Nigerian public to examine the information and make informed judgments about Tinubu’s suitability to seek another term in office from 2027.
However, the allegations contained in or arising from the records remain matters of public and legal scrutiny and could not be presented as established criminal findings against the President without appropriate judicial determination.
The plaintiff’s intention was not to declare Tinubu as criminal but for the court to order release of records in the case files by the FBI, to confirm the cases exist and for public scrutiny, considering the weight of allegations of certification forgery and drug-trafficking and money laundering remaining uncleared from the name of their president seeking re-election.
Meanwhile, Onanuga said Tinubu’s European trip is part of his annual leave and that the President is expected to spend three weeks on vacation before returning to Nigeria.
