President-elect Bola Tinubu returned to Abuja on Monday after disappearing abroad for several weeks. His aides claimed he went for vacation after gruelling campaigns.

His arrival comes ahead of May 29 handover date when he is expected to be sworn in as Nigeria’s next leader for the next four years.

Bayo Onanuga, his campaign spokesman, had announced Mr Tinubu’s imminent return earlier in the day.

“Nigeria’s President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu returns to Abuja today after weeks of a well deserved vacation in France. E kaabo! Se dada le de!,” said Mr Onanuga.

Mr Tinubu, who had secretly departed the country in March without prior public notice, arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja at 04:30 p.m. on Monday.

His decision to leave the country without a prior notice caused confusion and raised eyebrows in public spaces with many speculating he might have secretly traveled for medical reasons. 

It was not until questions started circulating about the Mr Tinubu’s whereabouts that his media team released a statement that the politician had left for Paris, France and the United Kingdom to rest and plan the transition programme ahead of his inauguration.

Mr Tinubu returned back to the country in company of his wife Senator Oluremi and they were received by Vice-President-elect, Kashim Shettima, other high ranking members of the APC and supporters who were cheering the former Lagos State governor.