Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has been criticized by opposition figures for not handing over power to Vice President Kashim Shettima during his extended working leave abroad. Tinubu spent over 21 days abroad, visiting London and Paris, and met with French President Emmanuel Macron. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other opposition figures argue that this absence without handing over power to the VP is a disregard for the Constitution.
According to Section 145 of the Nigerian Constitution, when the President proceeds on vacation for a period of up to 21 days, they must transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, after which the Vice-President performs the functions of the President in acting capacity. The ADC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, questioned whether the required declaration was transmitted by Tinubu and demanded an explanation from the National Assembly.
Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, expressed concern over Tinubu's extended absence without handing over power to his vice. Makinde noted that he always transmits power to his Deputy Governor when traveling for more than 21 days and questioned why this was not happening at the national level. He emphasized that if the President is unable to function due to sickness or incapacitation, they should transmit power to the Vice President.
The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2027 general election, Omoyele Sowore, urged the National Assembly to invoke Section 145(2) of the Constitution and mandate VP Shettima to perform the functions of the President as Acting President. Sowore noted that there had been no public confirmation that a declaration under Section 145(1) transferring presidential functions to Shettima had been transmitted and called on the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives to clarify the situation.
The Presidency has responded to the criticism, stating that Tinubu can continue to govern Nigeria from anywhere in the world and that his constitutional powers are not limited by his physical location. Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, argued that the President's ability to exercise his constitutional responsibilities does not depend on his location and that Tinubu remained engaged with the affairs of government while abroad.
The ADC described the Presidency's explanation that Tinubu was on a "working vacation" and that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, would represent the President at official events as "an absurdity that raises more questions than it answers." The party also criticized the fact that President Macron of France was attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York while Tinubu was in Paris.
The opposition parties have called on the Presidency and the National Assembly to provide a direct answer to the question of who is in charge of the country while Tinubu and Shettima are both abroad. The situation has raised concerns about the interpretation of the Constitution and the exercise of presidential powers.
Key points
- President Tinubu's extended absence without handing over power to VP Shettima has sparked criticism from opposition figures.
- The ADC and other opposition parties argue that Tinubu's actions are a disregard for the Constitution.
- The Presidency maintains that Tinubu's constitutional powers are not limited by his physical location.
