President Bola Tinubu returned to Abuja on Tuesday before the planned end of his vacation, which was supposed to last until September 19.

The Presidential jet, Air Force 001, landed at the Presidential wing of Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja around 6:50 pm local time.

President Tinubu had been on a working vacation in France and the United Kingdom since September 4 as part of his 2025 annual leave.

He is set to resume official duties immediately. One major issue awaiting him is the six-month state of emergency in Rivers State, which ends on Thursday.

On March 18, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State after a political crisis between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. Tensions escalated when militants reportedly blew up oil installations.

To restore order, Tinubu appointed former Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, as the sole administrator of Rivers State.

Now, six months later, the president must decide whether to extend or end the emergency rule under Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution.

Ending the state of emergency requires the president to make a nationwide broadcast and sign a decree lifting the rule, which must be done while he is in the country.

There is debate over how the handover should happen. Some believe Fubara doesn’t need to take a new oath since he was suspended, not impeached, and that the sole administrator only needs to transfer power to the Secretary to the State Government or Head of Service.

Others think a national broadcast is not necessary, though past presidents like Obasanjo and Jonathan have made announcements and signed decrees to lift emergency rules.

Besides the Rivers State issue, sources say Tinubu may have returned early to prepare for the 80th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 80), which opened on September 9, 2025. The high-level General Debate begins on September 23, 2025, and protocol requires the president to leave Abuja for New York two days earlier.