Weeks after the 2023 general elections, some Nigerian politicians have taken their vacation overseas.
In the build-up to the general election, politicians moved their meetings overseas, particularly, the G5 Governors and Bola Tinubu.
From London to Paris, they left the shore of Nigeria to hold meetings.
In the post-election, politicians are moving overseas to “get rest” after a long campaign season, away from supporters and lobbyists seeking to get a piece of the new pie.
They ignored options like the Yankari Game Reserve, Obudu Cattle Ranch and other places across the country.
Some of the politicians used the lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia as an opportunity to leave the country.
Newspot had reported that one of the Speakership aspirants took his consultation to the holy land.
Muktar Betara, an aspirant for the position of Speaker held a meeting with members-elect in his bid for the position of Speaker of the House.
At a point, it felt as if anyone that matters in the political calculation was in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. President Muhammadu Buhari, President-Elect, Kashim Shettima and Femi Gbajabiamila were all in Mecca at the same time.
To underscore the difficulties in resting in Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari stated that he may cross into Niger Republic if he is not allowed to rest in Daura after the May 29 handover.
However, some politicians are not using the pilgrimage as an excuse, rather, they are overseas taking a break from the gruesome campaign.
Bola Tinubu
The president-elect left Nigeria for over a month after the gruesome campaigns and the presidential elections.
The former Lagos State Governor is reportedly in Paris, the capital of France, amid reports that he is getting medical attention.
The president-elect was not in Nigeria for the supplementary elections, only periodic statements from his media team. Initially, his team had announced that he would be in Mecca for the lesser hajj, however, no evidence to confirm if he indeed stepped on the oil of Saudi Arabia.
Tinubu’s love for resting in Europe is not new, even during the campaign, London and Paris were mini-campaign headquarters during the election. Periodically, the hashtag “#WhereIsTinubu” was a major trend on social media, specifically Twitter.
During the campaign, Tinubu used many of the overseas trips to stimulate his base, specifically with the release of the Seven Seconds video where he was doing a workout on a bike.
Tinubu is expected back in the country before the May 29 inauguration.
Festus Keyamo
The Minister of Labour and Employment (State) and Spokesperson of the Bola Tinubu campaign has been trending on social media for his vacation in the US.
Keyamo tweeted a picture of himself in front of his house in the US. Critics have taken the picture of the House as proof that the Senior Advocate of Nigeria has taken hands into the cookie jar.
In response, Keyamo disclosed that the House in the picture is one of the least of the properties he has procured.
“Well, for these haters, I have another bad news for them: let me now disclose that of my entire real estate portfolio (both home and abroad), this is about the CHEAPEST of my several properties. Those who are VERY CLOSE to me over the years know exactly what I am talking about. My flourishing and manned law Chambers (whilst I am away on national assignment) and my real estate investments are still far more financially profitable than serving my country. Ours is a labour of love to my country. My Assets Declaration is there for all to see. (Again, this is verifiable),” he tweeted.
Gbenga Daniela
A former Governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, who is the Senator-elect for Ogun East Senatorial District, is also in Paris for holiday.
It is unclear if the choice of Paris is connected to the presence of Tinubu in the city. In a recent tweet, Daniel said his wife suggested the city as an ideal place for vacation after the holiday.
“After a gruelling but exciting electioneering, my dear wife, Yeye Olufunke Daniel, and I decided to take a much-needed holiday in one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Paris.
“This time out affords me the opportunity to reset and recharge, as we resume the task of moving our dear country Nigeria forward,” he tweeted.
Salihu Mustapha
The senator-elect for Kwara Central senatorial district went to the UK for vacation after the election.
Mr Mustapha survived the primary election where he defeated the incumbent, Ibrahim Oloriegbe. He also defeated former Minister of Sport, Bolaji Abdulahi of the PDP.
The senator-elect has also joined the clicks of Nigerian politicians that seek rest outside the shore of Nigeria.
Umar Bago
The member of the House of Representatives has been elected as Governor-elect for Niger State.
Bago first moved to Mecca for the lesser hajj and subsequently jetted out to an unnamed location to rest after the election.
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