Six Issues Awaiting Tinubu As He Returns From Working Vacation

President Bola Tinubu is expected to return to the country this weekend after a four-week working vacation in London and Paris, and will be met on arrival by at least six unresolved crises spanning his party, the economy, the National Assembly, labour, and security.

Below are the six issues awaiting him.

War within APC over Wike’s Rainbow Coalition

Top of the list is an escalating crisis between the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over his cross-party Rainbow Coalition, which the governors say threatens to undermine APC candidates in Kwara, Ogun, Imo, Gombe and other states ahead of 2027.

Wike had, in a televised interview, named governors Hope Uzodimma of Imo, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun as opposed to the coalition, describing them as “politically lazy.”

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara had earlier told Wike to choose between the APC and the coalition, saying he could not “simultaneously support the APC and other political parties.”

LEADERSHIP Sunday gathered that the matter would be resolved once the president returns, as he is expected to meet the APC governors this week. Also, some APC chieftains allege that aggrieved governors are exploring an alliance with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to counter Wike’s influence.

Constitutional questions over his absence

Opposition figures, including Atiku and the African Action Congress’s Omoyele Sowore, have questioned the constitutionality of Tinubu’s extended leave, citing Section 145 of the Constitution, which requires a written declaration to the National Assembly before a president proceeds on vacation.

A coalition of House members had asked Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to confirm whether such a declaration was received.

Akpabio has maintained that “there is no absence in Aso Rock.” At the same time, the presidency has said Tinubu went on a working vacation, so the 21-day absence does not apply to him.

The matter is expected to resurface when the National Assembly resumes plenary on Tuesday.

Record petrol prices

The president returns to a petrol price crisis, with pump prices ranging from N1,385 to N1,850 per litre, depending on the region, according to the latest official price list.

The Minister of State for Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri, has ruled out any government intervention, describing the market as “completely deregulated.” The downstream regulator has similarly insisted that pricing is governed by “unrestricted free market” provisions in the Petroleum Industry Act.

Labour’s September 30 deadline

The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council has given the Federal Government till Wednesday to stabilise petrol at N500 per litre, announce an immediate wage award, and commit to a N500,000 minimum wage, or risk unspecified industrial action.

The Nigeria Labour Congress has backed the demands as “realistic and long overdue.” At the same time, the Academic Staff Union of Universities has separately threatened to resume its suspended strike “without further notice” over unpaid salaries.

Minna’s custodial deaths

The president is also expected to receive updates on investigations into the deaths of 37 detainees in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Minna, Niger State, following a raid on illegal mining sites on September 15 and 16.

Twenty-four NSCDC personnel, including the state commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, have been detained pending the outcome of a 10-member independent panel set up by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Renewed banditry and kidnappings

Security remains a concern following attacks in Sokoto, Zamfara and Plateau states during the president’s absence, including a night raid in Tofa, Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto, which left at least 10 people dead and led to dozens of abductions.

The National Assembly resumes on Tuesday, the labour ultimatum expires on Wednesday, and the president is scheduled to deliver his Independence Day broadcast on Thursday, October 1.