The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised concerns about the leadership of Nigeria as President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima are currently abroad. Tinubu has been on a working vacation in London and Paris since August 30, which was extended by a few days, and is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend. Meanwhile, Shettima left Abuja on Sunday for New York to represent the president at the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The ADC's National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, questioned the constitutional basis for the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, to represent the president at official functions in the absence of both Tinubu and Shettima. Abdullahi asked if Akume is now the Acting President of Nigeria, citing the need for clarity on the chain of succession as outlined in the Nigerian Constitution.
According to Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, when the president is temporarily absent, they must transmit a written declaration to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The vice president then performs the functions of the president as Acting President until the president resumes duties. If the president fails to transmit the declaration within 21 days, the National Assembly may mandate the vice president to perform the president's functions.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is the ADC's presidential candidate for the 2027 election, also questioned whether President Tinubu transmitted the required declaration before leaving Nigeria. Atiku asked the Presidency to clarify if such a letter was sent to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. He also asked the National Assembly to explain why the procedure under Section 145 had not been activated.
The Presidency has rejected suggestions that Tinubu's absence has created a leadership vacuum. Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated that Tinubu has remained in touch with developments in Nigeria and continued to direct the affairs of government from abroad. The Presidency also said Tinubu had delegated Shettima to represent him at some official functions, including the UN General Assembly.
The federal government stated that Shettima was carrying the president's full mandate at the UN General Assembly and that Nigeria would be adequately represented. However, Abdullahi disputed the government's position, arguing that describing Tinubu's absence as a "working vacation" does not resolve the constitutional question. He also alleged that lawmakers would not reconvene to address the situation due to their closeness to the Tinubu administration.
The ADC's spokesperson criticised the handling of security and electoral concerns ahead of the 2027 elections, alleging attacks against opposition members in Rivers, Edo, and Delta states. He accused security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of failing to respond adequately to some of the concerns.
Key points
- The ADC questions the constitutional basis for Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume to represent President Tinubu in the absence of both the president and vice president.
- The controversy centres on Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides for the transfer of presidential functions during the president's temporary absence.
- The Presidency rejects suggestions that Tinubu's absence has created a leadership vacuum, stating that he has remained in touch with developments in Nigeria and continued to direct the affairs of government from abroad.
