President Bola Tinubu will return to Nigeria today from his work visit to France, the Presidency has said.
The President’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a post on his X handle on Monday.
Tinubu left Nigeria on April 2, 2025, for Paris, France, on a short work visit.
According to the Presidency, Tinubu used the retreat to review the progress of ongoing reforms and engage in strategic planning ahead of his administration’s second anniversary.
READ ALSO: Nigeria In Dilemma, End Killings, Kukah Tells Tinubu
The President’s latest trip had been faulted by major opposition leaders who criticised him for being away despite the rising insecurity in the country, especially in Benue and Plateau states, where scores of residents have been killed in attacks on several communities.
A former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, had asked President Bola Tinubu to end his trip to France and address the spate of insecurity in Nigeria.
Atiku questioned Tinubu’s continued stay in the European country despite the spate of killings across Nigeria.
“While Tinubu dines under chandeliers in the land of good governance, the country he governs is spiraling into chaos. Plateau has turned into a killing field — over 100 lives lost in relentless attacks,” his spokesman, Paul Ibe, said in a statement on April 17.
Tinubu Should Declare State Of Emergency On Plateau Killings – Cleric, Isa El-buba
Similarly, a former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, urged Tinubu to suspend his France trip and urgently return to Nigeria to address the deteriorating security situation, particularly in Plateau and Benue states.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will return home today. pic. twitter. com/UVkPJDkUp8
He also said the primary duty of any government is securing the lives and property of its citizens, and one wondered why the type of retreat was going on in another country where peace had been secured by their leaders, “while blood continues to flow in our country”.
“I am compelled at this time in our lives as a nation to call on our retreating President’s attention to the security challenges at home, which entail that he immediately suspend his ongoing retreat in a foreign land and come home to address the overwhelming security situation across the country. ”
“In the two weeks you have been away, over 150 Nigerians have lost their lives to insecurity across Nigeria, especially in Plateau and Zamfara states.
“I therefore urge Mr President to quickly suspend whatever he is doing in France and rush home to take responsibility by addressing these disturbing issues. That is the new Nigeria the nation seeks,” he said.
President Bola Tinubu paid a heartfelt tribute to Pope Francis, joining Catholics and Christians around the world in mourning his passing.
In an emotional statement, President Tinubu described the pontiff as “a humble servant of God” and “a tireless champion of the poor,” highlighting his legacy of compassion and bridge-building across faiths.
The president reflected on the symbolic timing of the Pope’s death—just after Easter—as a sacred return to his Maker and called on Nigerians and the global community to honour the Pope not just in words, but through acts of mercy, justice, and unity.
READ ALSO: World Leaders Mourn Pope Francis
(FILES) Pope Francis attends “The caress and the smile” event to meet with grandparents, elderly, grandchildren, and members of the “Fondazione Eta’ Grande” at the Paul VI Audience Hall in The Vatican, on April 27, 2024. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP)
STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU’S STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
Today, with a heavy heart, I join the Catholic faithful and Christians worldwide in mourning the passing of Pope Francis, a humble servant of God, tireless champion of the poor,… pic. twitter. com/L5R2FJJu26
STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU’S STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
Today, with a heavy heart, I join the Catholic faithful and Christians worldwide in mourning the passing of Pope Francis, a humble servant of God, tireless champion of the poor, and guiding light for millions. His passing, coming just after the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection, is a sacred return to his Maker at a time of renewed hope for Christians.
His Holiness served the Church and the Master of the Church until the end. In 2013, he stepped onto the global stage with a message of mercy, urging us to see the face of Christ in the marginalised, the refugees, the migrants, and the forgotten.
He challenged the powerful to act with justice, called nations to welcome the stranger, and reminded us that our common home—this Earth—is a gift we must protect for future generations.
He was an instrument of peace who deeply embodied the message of Christ: love for God and love for humanity. In a time of division, he built bridges between faiths and the rich and the poor.
He was a steadfast advocate for the developing world, where he consistently spoke against economic injustice and ceaselessly prayed for peace and stability in troubled regions.
His encyclicals were not only doctrinal and seminal but also timely and relevant. Through his pastoral letters, the Pope offered spiritual clarity and hope in an increasingly complex world. He charted a path of renewal for all humanity through his words and deeds.
In my 2025 Easter Message, I joined the Christian faithful in thanksgiving for the convalescing Pontiff. I was happy to watch his appearance to deliver the traditional Easter Sunday blessing in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Alas, the Lord called him home a day after, making the world lose its most trenchant voice for justice and action against climate change. May the good Lord, whom he served with all his might, receive him into His eternal bosom.
As we mourn the late Pontiff, let us also celebrate his legacy. Let us honour him not with words alone but with action: by lifting those who are down, healing our communities, and defending the dignity of every person.
On behalf of the government and the people of Nigeria, I extend condolences to the Catholic Church, the global Catholic community, and the Christian faithful.
May God Almighty grant His beloved servant eternal rest.
Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis, has died at age 88. He died on Monday at 7:35am, a day after making a much-hoped-for appearance at Saint Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday
Following the recent news concerning Pope Francis, numerous world leaders have extended their heartfelt condolences, reflecting the deep respect and admiration the pontiff commands across nations and faiths.
As the spiritual head of over a billion Catholics and a respected moral voice on the world stage, any development concerning the Pope resonates far beyond the Vatican.
READ ALSO: What Happens After The Pope Dies?
(FILES) Pope Francis waves to the crowd as he appears at the balcony to deliver his Christmas Urbi et Orbi blessing in St. Peter’s Square at The Vatican on December 25, 2022. (Photo by Andreas SOLARO / AFP)
Iran
Iran offered condolences on Monday following the death of Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church, at the age of 88.
“My colleagues have just informed me of the news… I offer my condolences to all Christians around the world,” Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei said at a press briefing. Iran, a Muslim-majority country, maintains close ties with the Vatican.
Israel
Israeli President Isaac Herzog praised the deceased Pope Francis on Monday as “a man of deep faith and boundless compassion”.
“He rightly saw great importance in fostering strong ties with the Jewish world and in advancing interfaith dialogue as a path toward greater understanding and mutual respect,” the president said in a post on X.
Photo Combo: Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Pope Francis
United States Of America
US Vice President JD Vance said his “heart goes out” to Christians after Pope Francis died Monday.
“My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him,” he posted on X.
“I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. ”
Vance, a Catholic convert, arrived in New Delhi on Monday after meeting the pontiff in the Vatican.
The pair had a brief private meeting on Sunday, the Vatican said, on the last day of the Republican’s visit to Rome.
The Argentine pontiff, leader of the Catholic Church since March 2013, spent 38 days being treated for double pneumonia in a Rome hospital before seeming to recover and leaving the facility on March 23.
His death came just a day after he delighted the crowds of worshippers at the Vatican on Easter Sunday with an appearance on the balcony at Saint Peter’s Basilica.
U. S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance attend the celebration of the Passion of the Lord on Good Friday as part of the Holy Week, at St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Andreas SOLARO / AFP)
Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday hailed the late Pope Francis as a “defender” of “humanism and justice”, and praised his efforts to promote dialogue between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches.
Putin said Francis, who died on Monday, was a “wise” religious leader, “statesman” and “consistent defender of the high values of humanism and justice”, in a letter to the Vatican published by the Kremlin.
“During all the years of his pontificate, he actively promoted dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, as well as constructive interaction between Russia and the Holy See,” Putin added.
The Kremlin leader had met the pope three times — in 2013, 2015, and 2019.
The last time they spoke was in December 2021 by telephone, Russian state media reported, weeks before Moscow launched its offensive on Ukraine.
The pope had repeatedly called for peace in Ukraine.
In 2016, he met the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, in the first-ever meeting between the heads of the two churches.
That ended with the singing of a joint 10-page declaration, seen at the time as an important milestone in relations between the Catholic and Russian Orthodox branches of Christianity.
Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday mourned the death of Pope Francis, saying the Catholic leader had “prayed for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainians. ”
“We grieve together with Catholics and all Christians,” Zelensky wrote on social media.
France
French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday paid homage to Pope Francis, saying he had always been “on the side of the most vulnerable and the most fragile” and fought for “more justice”.
Speaking during a trip to the Pacific region, Macron expressed his “most sincere condolences to Catholics the world over” after the death of Francis who, he said, had stood for a “brotherly humankind”.
Pope Francis (L) shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palais du Pharo in the southern port city of Marseille on September 23, 2023. (Photo by Andreas SOLARO / POOL / AFP)
Spain
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday hailed Pope Francis’s “commitment to peace, social justice and the most vulnerable” after his death at the age of 88.
“I am sorry to hear of the death of Pope Francis. His commitment to peace, social justice and the most vulnerable leaves a profound legacy. Rest in peace,” the Socialist leader wrote on X.
Combo Photo: Pope Francis and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez
Italy
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said “a great man has left us” after Pope Francis died on Monday.
“Pope Francis has returned to the Father’s home. It is deeply sad news, because a great man has left us,” Meloni said in a statement.
Combo Photo: Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
Germany
Germany’s incoming chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday expressed “great sorrow” at Pope Francis’s death, describing him as a man “guided by humility and faith”.
The pope “will remain in our memories for his indefatigable commitment” to “the most vulnerable, for justice and for reconciliation,” he said.
Ireland
Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin hailed Pope Francis’s solidarity with the “poor, the marginalised, and the oppressed” after the pope died on Monday.
“Pope Francis’ long and distinguished papacy was marked by his unwavering commitment to the principles of compassion, peace and human dignity” said Martin, adding that he would be remembered for his “expression of pain and shame” about historic child abuses in the Catholic Church during his 2018 visit to Ireland.
Photo Combo: Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin and Pope Francis
India
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday he was “deeply pained” by the death of Pope Francis, saying that the pontiff had served the poor and offered hope to the suffering.
“Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world,” the Hindu-nationalist leader said in a statement. “I fondly recall my meetings with him and was greatly inspired by his commitment to inclusive and all-round development. ”
Photo Combo: India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pope Francis
Paris
The bells at Paris’s Notre-Dame cathedral rang out 88 times on Monday in honour of Pope Francis who died aged 88, an AFP reporter at the scene said.
The “88 rings for 88 years of life” were to be followed by a full ringing of the cathedral’s bells before a noon mass in Francis’s honour, followed by another in early evening, according to the Notre-Dame press office.
People walk in front of the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral in Paris on December 7, 2024. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFP)
Ethiopia
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent his “deepest condolences” after the death of Pope Francis on Monday.
“May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his legacy of compassion, humility, and service to humanity continue to inspire generations to come,” Abiy wrote in a post on X.
Photo Combo: Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Pope Francis
Egypt
The death of Pope Francis on Monday “is a profound loss for the entire world, as as he was a voice of peace, love and compassion,” Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said.
Extending his condolences, Sisi said the late Catholic leader was an exceptional global figure who “worked tirelessly to promote tolerance and build bridges of dialogue … and was a champion of the Palestinian cause, defending legitimate rights and calling for an end to conflict”.
Photo Combo: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Pope Francis
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has fired back at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over accusations that he (Falana) misrepresented a Supreme Court ruling on the defection crisis rocking the Rivers State House of Assembly.
In a statement made available to Channels Television on Monday, Falana insisted he never lied about the apex court’s decision, describing Wike’s comments as a deliberate attempt to incite the judiciary against him.
“In a recent media outburst, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike, taunted me for losing a case which he won at the Supreme Court.
“He went as far as dubbing me ‘a television lawyer’. However, I did not respond at the time because Mr. Wike is the only Life Bencher in Nigeria who has never handled a case in any trial or appellate court,” Falana stated.
Falana noted that Wike renewed his attacks during a press conference in Abuja, accusing him of lying about the defection status of 27 lawmakers in Rivers State during a Channels Television interview.
READ ALSO: [VIDEO] ‘I Don’t Do Social Media Candidates,’ Wike Defends Decision Not To Back Obi
Wike’s Accusations
Wike had accused the SAN of misinformation regarding the alleged defection of the 27 Rivers lawmakers.
The minister further claimed that such misinformation from respected legal figures could destabilise the state and cause political unrest.
He stated, “A few days ago, the Supreme Court settled this matter of defection. If someone of Femi Falana’s calibre can go on national television and lie, it’s very serious. Lies can cause a lot of crises. ”
However, Falana maintained that his commentary was a factual and constitutional analysis of the situation.
“Contrary to Mr Wike’s assertion, I did not lie against the Supreme Court,” he said.
“All I said was that the matter of the defection of the 27 legislators was raised suo motu and determined by the eminent Justices of the apex court,” he added
READ ALSO: Remove Ibas For Breach Of Presidential Order, Falana Tells Tinubu
He emphasised that his comments were rooted in the fact that the issue of defection was already pending before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt at the time.
He also pointed out that the defectors had publicly confirmed their switch from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) through affidavits and video recordings.
“It is public knowledge that Mr Wike praised the Supreme Court to high heavens and held a thanksgiving service to celebrate the decision. However, he has decided to attack me for commenting on the same judgment — without any legal justification,” the SAN said.
Legal Right To Criticise
Citing Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Falana insisted he had a legal right to criticise court judgments.
VIDEO: Rivers Administrator Not Recognised By Constitution – Falana
He challenged Wike to petition the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee if he believed there had been professional misconduct.
The human rights lawyer said, “I would have ignored the minister’s latest gratuitous attack, but he recently urged the Body of Benchers to sanction lawyers who criticise judgements of Nigerian courts,” Falana continued.
“Unlike Mr Wike, who calls judges names when they disagree with his politics of opportunism, I have always criticised judicial decisions with utmost decorum and in good faith,” he said.
Referencing the landmark case of Adegoke Motors Ltd v Adesanya (1989) 3 NWLR (Pt 109) 250, Falana reminded Wike that even the Supreme Court acknowledges the fallibility of its judgements.
“As Justice Oputa famously stated, ‘We are final not because we are infallible; we are infallible because we are final,’” he noted.
Falana also cited former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, who once encouraged legal practitioners to criticise court decisions constructively to ensure accountability and improve the justice delivery system.
“It may interest Mr Wike to know that from time to time, many respected Justices commend my critique of court decisions and my defence of the judiciary. At a recent valedictory session, a retiring Supreme Court Justice referred positively to one of my critical remarks,” he said.
He concluded by warning that the Supreme Court’s recent interpretation of defection laws could be weaponised by unprincipled politicians.
“No doubt, the decision of the Supreme Court is final on defection. Their Lordships said it must be proved by producing the membership register of political parties. But my fear is that this ruling could be used by unpatriotic politicians to justify political prostitution,” Falana said.
Alleged Defection Saga
The political turmoil in Rivers State began in late 2024 when 27 lawmakers, elected under the PDP and aligned with Wike, allegedly defected to the APC.
The move was widely interpreted as an attempt to undermine Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration.
The alleged defectors, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, initiated impeachment proceedings against the governor.
Amid mounting tensions, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers on 18 March 2025.
This led to the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy, and all lawmakers for six months, with retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas appointed as Sole Administrator.
The Supreme Court had ruled on 28 February 2025 that no lawful evidence was presented to confirm the lawmakers’ defection, especially after Governor Fubara withdrew his claims without substantiating them. The court held that, in law, the defectors remained PDP members.
More than 20 communities in the Federal Capital Territory have been hit with power outages as Christians all over the world celebrate Easter.
The Federal Government declared Monday and Tuesday as public holidays to celebrate the season.
A Sunday statement by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) attributed the cause of the outages to a technical fault and explosion on some feeders.
The areas affected include Keffi Garage, Bank Road, Angwan Rama, Tsohon Kasuwa, CRDP, Makwala, Low-cost, Dadin Kowa, Angwan Ninzo, Tudun Amama, Angwan Kwano, Angwan Tsarin Mada, Gunduma, Gitata, Gangaren Tudun, Angwan Wake, and the surrounding environs.
The outage is due to an explosion on the 11kv incomer CT, which the DisCo said impacted the feeders supplying these locations.
In addition, customers in Pyegl, Kurudu, Gidan Mango, Orozo, Karshi, and neighbouring communities are currently experiencing power outages due to a technical fault.
The power distribution firm, however, said its technical teams are working diligently to resolve both issues and restore supply as quickly as possible.
The development comes as the Power Minister, Adebayo Adelabu, said the Federal Government was working to boost Nigeria’s grid capacity by an additional 4,000 megawatts (MW) by the end of 2026.
The country currently generates about 5000 MW for its over 200 million population. Experts have said the country needs at least 30,000mw MW to reach sufficiency.
A statement by Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations to the minister, disclosed that the FG has engaged reputable Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) companies to expedite the process under a new strategic direction approved by President Bola Tinubu.
He said the president approved the distribution scope to be delivered by other reputable engineering procurement and construction (EPC) companies with the requisite technical, financial, and financing capacity.
“The strategic decisions aim to increase grid capacity by an additional 4,000mw by the end of 2026, with an aspirational target of an additional 2,000mw, as directed by the Economic Management Team in 2024.
“Noteworthy is the fact that the implementation of the PPI commenced with the installation and inauguration of 10 power transformers and 10 mobile substations across the country under the Pilot Phase of the PPI, which was manufactured and delivered in October 2023. ”
Adelabu noted that the current administration’s commitment has not only reinvigorated the Siemens Power Project, officially known as the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), but also created a pathway for improved power supply to key sectors of the Nigerian economy.
“The inception of the present administration in 2023 brought about renewed vigour to the Siemens Power Project as an accelerated contract was signed to ensure visible progress in the project,” Adelabu said.
He emphasised that “no significant progress was made on the project until the present administration came into office,” adding that the achievements recorded since May 29, 2023, are testaments to a focused and determined government agenda.
Global shipping giant DHL will “temporarily” suspend the shipping of parcels worth more than $800 from businesses to individuals in the United States as of Monday, the company said, citing delays in US customs clearances.
“As a result of recent US Customs regulatory updates, we are experiencing multi-day transit delays to the US from any origin for shipments with a declared customs value exceeding USD 800,” DHL said in a statement.
President Donald Trump has launched a wide-ranging trade war since coming to office, threatening friend and foe alike with steep tariffs to address US trade deficits with individual countries.
As part of those changes, the government has also lowered the threshold at which parcels to individuals require formal entry processing by US Customs — down to $800 from $2,500 as of April 5.
“This change has caused a surge in formal customs clearances, which we are handling around the clock,” said DHL.
The company added that business-to-business shipments would not be affected by the suspension, “though they may also face delays. ”
READ ALSO: Trump Considers Reducing US Diplomatic Footprint In Africa
Trump’s government has taken particular aim at China, and earlier this month Washington closed a duty-free exemption for small parcels from that country, a move that appeared to be designed to target low-cost online retailers like Temu and Shein.
