OTHER NIGERIAN POLITICIANS HAVE RELOCATED ABROAD, INCLUDING TINUBU AND KEYAMO

Some Nigerian politicians have gone on holiday abroad weeks after the 2023 general elections.

Politicians, particularly the G5 Governors and Bola Tinubu, relocated their meetings overseas in the run-up to the general election.

They traveled from London to Paris, leaving Nigeria's coast to have meetings.

Politicians are traveling overseas to "rest" after a grueling campaign season, away from supporters and lobbyists vying for a piece of the new pie.

They passed on Yankari Game Reserve, Obudu Cattle Ranch, and other alternatives around the country.

Some politicians took advantage of the reduced Hajj in Saudi Arabia to depart the country.

According to reports, one of the Speakership candidates traveled to the Holy Land for consulting.

Muktar Betara, a candidate for Speaker, met with members-elect in his candidacy for the role of Speaker of the House.

At one point, it appeared that everyone who matters in political calculations was in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. At the same time, President Muhammadu Buhari, President-Elect Kashim Shettima, and Femi Gbajabiamila were all in Mecca.

To emphasize the difficulty in relaxing in Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari indicated that if he is not allowed to rest in Daura after the May 29 transfer, he may cross into Niger Republic.

Some lawmakers, however, are not using the pilgrimage as an excuse; rather, they are abroad taking a respite from the arduous campaign.

Bola Tinubu

After the grueling campaigning and presidential elections, the president-elect left Nigeria for more than a month.

The former Lagos State Governor is reportedly in Paris, France, where he is receiving medical attention.

The president-elect did not attend the extra polls in Nigeria, instead relying on periodic pronouncements from his media team. Initially, his team declared that he will be in Mecca for the lesser hajj, but there is no evidence that he trod on Saudi Arabian oil.

Tinubu's fondness of recuperating in Europe is not new; throughout the campaign, London and Paris served as mini-campaign headquarters. The hashtag "#WherelsTinubu" was a popular trend on social media, particularly Twitter, at times.

During the campaign, Tinubu used several of his abroad visits to energize his following, particularly with the publication of the Seven Seconds video in which he was completing a bike workout.

Tinubu is scheduled to return to the country before the inauguration on May 29.

Festus Keyamo 

The Minister of Labour and Employment (State) and Spokesperson for the Bola Tinubu campaign's vacation in the United States has been trending on social media.

Keyamo posted a photo of himself in front of his home in the United States on Twitter. The image of the House has been used by critics as proof that the Senior Advocate of Nigeria has put his hands in the cookie jar.

In response, Keyamo revealed that the house in the photograph is one of the few properties he owns.

"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.

Daniela Gbenga

Gbenga Daniel, the Senator-elect for Ogun East Senatorial District and a former Governor of Ogun State, is also on vacation in Paris.

It is unknown whether the choice of Paris is related to Tinubu's presence in the city. Daniel recently tweeted that his wife mentioned the city as a great place to visit after the holidays.

"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 

After the election, the senator-elect for Kwara Central senatorial district went on holiday to the United Kingdom.

Mr Mustapha won the primary election, defeating incumbent Ibrahim Oloriegbe. He also defeated former PDP Minister of Sport Bolaji Abdulahi.

The senator-elect has also joined the ranks of Nigerian lawmakers seeking relaxation outside the country's borders.

Umar Bogo

Niger State's Governor-elect has been elected as a member of the House of Representatives.

Bago first went to Mecca for the smaller hajj, then flew to an unidentified place to rest following the election.