171
By Lizzy Chirkpi
President Bola Tinubu’s return to Abuja after a 19-day stay in Paris, France, has ignited a wave of concerns regarding his health, as footage emerged showing him appearing to stagger as he approached his waiting vehicle.
Simultaneously, citizens have expressed growing discontent over the President’s perceived inaction regarding the escalating insecurity gripping the nation. Over two hundred lives have been lost in violent incidents across the country in the three weeks since his departure.
Many Nigerians had urged the President to cut short his vacation and return to address the security crisis by engaging with security chiefs.
On Monday, April 21, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the President’s imminent return.
In a brief announcement on his official X handle, Onanuga stated, “President Bola Tinubu will return home today.”
Previously, the presidency had indicated that the President would return after the Easter break. This announcement followed mounting public concern over his prolonged absence, particularly in light of renewed bandit attacks in Plateau, Benue, and other regions.
Onanuga clarified that despite his physical absence, President Tinubu had maintained close contact with the situation in Nigeria and had been in regular consultation with his officials.
The President departed for France on April 2, 2025, for a short working visit. During his stay in Paris, he held a significant meeting with Massad Boulos, the United States Department of State’s Senior Advisor for Africa.
A video circulating online, showing the President’s arrival and the welcoming prompted a reaction from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who simply wrote “Okay” on X.
This brief comment ignited a flurry of responses from users on the platform:
@Atiku_mission wrote, “Welcome back, sir. Hope the sightseeing was fun. Meanwhile, Nigeria was on autopilot. In 2027, let’s upgrade to a president who doesn’t need Google Maps to find home. #Atiku2027”
@AbdulganiyuH, a Tinubu supporter, retorted, “Clap for yourself and tell your Atiku to go and unseat Paul Biya in Cameroon 
where he comes from.”
where he comes from.”@Isaaciyianshima commented, “Alhaji just said ‘okay’ and people are crying in the comment section. I am not a fan of him anyway but when did ‘okay’ become an issue?”
@GeorgeUwaifo expressed, “What a time! 19 days away, while your country dripped! Benue, Borno, Plateau, Zamfara. Is this really okay with all the hand-shaking ministers bowing their heads and kissing the royal ring?”
@Udoh_D wrote, “Baba, the matter tire person o. 19 days in Europe while the country descends into chaos.”
@christonyblend questioned, “Real Okay oh. Just wondering how long his visitation to Nigeria will be.”
Another user raised concerns about the President’s apparent disorientation, stating, “Wait ooh, who’s introducing who to who? Abi My eye dey pain me? Them even introduced his CoS and NSA to him 
, Wonderment!”
, Wonderment!”Upon the President’s arrival in Abuja in the early hours of Tuesday, he was greeted by a delegation of cabinet members, including:
the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesome Wike; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; he Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu