Security Briefings Kept Tinubu from Lagos Event, Says Sunday Dare

The Special Adviser to the President on Public Communications and Orientation, Sunday Dare, has explained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was unable to attend a scheduled project inauguration in Lagos due to pressing national security engagements.

Dare disclosed this during an interview on Politics Today on Channels Television, stating that the President prioritised ongoing security briefings over the public event.

“Yes, the president is in Lagos, and I’m sure beyond the pictures, you know that the president has been busy with state matters,” Dare said.

According to him, the decision to skip the inauguration was informed by recent security developments across parts of the country, which required the President’s immediate and sustained attention.

“You will know the last 10 days, right from the attack in Jos, we’ve seen the developments,” he added.

Dare noted that President Tinubu had been “busy taking constant briefs” and had to make critical decisions in real time, especially as the security situation evolved in multiple regions.

“He has to prioritise when it comes to state matters, especially security,” the presidential aide said.

He further explained that the President has remained actively engaged with security agencies and the intelligence community, closely monitoring developments and coordinating responses.

“He is monitoring development, working with the intelligence community, and taking constant security briefs,” Dare stated.

Highlighting the scale of the concerns, Dare pointed to incidents across several states, stressing that the situation demanded urgent attention from the nation’s leadership.

“When you look at the fact that from Jos, Kaduna, Niger, we have seen developments that are unpleasant,” he said.

He added that President Tinubu had continued consultations and high-level engagements aimed at addressing the challenges, including direct communication with key stakeholders.

“The president has decided to make sure that he’s giving constant briefs, working the phones, and also meeting and engaging,” Dare said.

He stressed that the nature of the security situation required swift and decisive action, noting that “decisions have to be taken in a timely fashion.”

Despite the President’s absence, the inauguration of the Open-Mende-Ojota Link Bridge in Lagos proceeded as planned. The event was attended by top government officials and dignitaries, with Godswill Akpabio representing the President and commissioning the project on his behalf.

The inauguration formed part of activities lined up during President Tinubu’s visit to Lagos, where he is expected to unveil several infrastructure projects executed by the state government.

Dare’s clarification comes amid public curiosity over the President’s absence at the event, underscoring the administration’s position that national security considerations remain a top priority.

As security challenges persist in parts of the country, the Presidency maintains that ongoing coordination with security and intelligence agencies is critical to ensuring stability and timely response to emerging threats.