The Convener of the Arewa Think Tank, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, has stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's continued stay abroad has not created a leadership vacuum or constitutional breach. According to Yakubu, Tinubu remains in charge of the country and continues to perform his presidential duties while on his working vacation. Yakubu's comments come amid concerns over Tinubu's absence, with some questioning the implications of his being outside the country.
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for a three-week annual leave in Europe, initially announced by the Presidency as a vacation, with London as his first destination. The Presidency subsequently described the trip as a working vacation. On September 21, the State House announced that the President had extended his stay by a few days and would return to Nigeria at the weekend. Yakubu emphasized that Tinubu's engagements while abroad demonstrate that he has remained active in the discharge of his responsibilities.
Yakubu cited Tinubu's recent engagements in Paris, including his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and discussions with businessman Vincent Bolloré on investment and Nigeria's creative and digital economy. The State House confirmed that Tinubu met Bolloré in Paris on September 18, while the Presidency also said the French President received Tinubu for a private dinner. These engagements, Yakubu argued, show that Tinubu is not merely away on a private holiday but remains involved in matters of state.
Yakubu also pointed to the position attributed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio on the question of presidential authority during Tinubu's absence. Akpabio was quoted as saying that there is no absence in Aso Rock, as the President is still in power and on a working leave. Yakubu argued that Akpabio's position settles what he described as unnecessary speculation about who was exercising presidential authority.
The Arewa Think Tank leader defended Tinubu's decision to delegate Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent Nigeria at international engagements, describing the arrangement as evidence of coordination within the Presidency. Shettima is leading Nigeria's delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York and is scheduled to present Nigeria's national statement. Yakubu further rejected arguments that Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution had been triggered by Tinubu's absence.
Yakubu urged Nigerians, particularly those in the northern part of the country, to disregard what he described as attempts to create unnecessary tension over the President's absence. He stated that the President will return and continue his good work, and for now, there is no vacuum, no breach, and Nigeria is in safe hands. The debate over the President's absence intensified after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar questioned the implications of Tinubu being outside the country while Vice President Shettima was also away on official engagements.
The Presidency has maintained that Tinubu has remained in contact with officials and continued to direct government affairs from abroad. It said the President had, among other things, directed an independent investigation into the reported deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Niger State while on his working vacation. With this, Yakubu concluded that the President's continued stay abroad does not affect the smooth operation of the government.
Key points
- The Arewa Think Tank has dismissed concerns over President Tinubu's continued stay abroad, saying it creates no leadership vacuum or constitutional breach.
- President Tinubu has remained active in the discharge of his responsibilities while abroad, engaging with global leaders and directing government affairs.
- The Arewa Think Tank leader, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, has urged Nigerians to disregard attempts to create unnecessary tension over the President's absence.
