The Labour Party in Nigeria has expressed concerns over President Bola Tinubu's prolonged working vacation in Europe, describing the concept as contradictory to the country's Constitution. National Publicity Secretary Eluma Asogwa stated that while it may be challenging to pinpoint a direct constitutional breach, the term "working vacation" seems to have been introduced to suggest continued discharge of presidential responsibilities abroad.
Asogwa argued that the President is either on vacation or discharging his responsibilities, but not both simultaneously. He encouraged the opposition to seek a court ruling on the validity of the term "working vacation," even if it doesn't lead to impeachment, to clarify its constitutional implications and enrich Nigeria's jurisprudence.
The Labour Party official described the claim that President Tinubu remains in full charge while spending weeks abroad as an aberration. He noted that if the President was indeed healthy, as claimed by the Presidency, the recent death of 37 illegal miners in Minna should have prompted him to cut short his vacation and commiserate with the victims' families.
Asogwa criticized President Tinubu for spending an extended period abroad, claiming to still be in charge, which he considered unusual in the African context. He emphasized that the President cannot afford to be absent while the nation faces various challenges, citing the need for him to be actively engaged in addressing the country's issues.
The Labour Party also questioned the President's plan to celebrate Nigeria's 66th Independence Anniversary in Lagos on October 1. Asogwa noted that, by tradition, the President is expected to inspect the Guard of Honour on Independence Day, and it was unclear whether he would do so in Lagos or Abuja.
Asogwa recalled that President Tinubu recently signed a $7 billion contract for the Deep Seaport in Ogun State while in France, which he contrasted with the secrecy surrounding former President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's health issues in 2009-2010. He noted that the experience with Yar'Adua led to the introduction of a constitutional provision requiring the President to transmit power to the Vice President while proceeding on vacation.
The Labour Party official lamented that President Tinubu's actions appear to have rendered the constitutional provision inoperable, allowing him to manage governance from abroad without clear accountability. He emphasized the need for clarity on the President's status and the implications of his prolonged absence on the country's governance.
Key points
- The Labour Party questions the legality of President Tinubu's "working vacation" in Europe.
- The party argues that the President's prolonged absence undermines the constitutional provision for transmitting power to the Vice President.
- The Labour Party also criticizes the President's plan to celebrate Nigeria's Independence Anniversary in Lagos.
