Opposition parties in Nigeria have stepped up criticism of President Bola Tinubu over his extended vacation in Europe and absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly. The Peoples Democratic Party described Tinubu's absence from UNGA as an abdication of responsibility. The African Democratic Congress demanded to know whether he transmitted power to Vice-President Kashim Shettima in accordance with Section 145 of the Constitution before proceeding on vacation.
President Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for a three-week working vacation, beginning in London before moving to Paris. The Presidency announced on September 21 that he had extended the vacation by a few days and would return to Nigeria at the weekend. The controversy has intensified with Shettima also outside the country after leaving Abuja on September 20 for New York to represent Tinubu at UNGA.
The Tanimu Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee of the PDP issued a statement criticizing Tinubu's timing, citing insecurity and economic hardship in the country. The party said that since Tinubu was already in Europe, it expected him to proceed to New York for the annual gathering of world leaders. The PDP questioned the timing of the President's vacation against the backdrop of rising insecurity and bleak macroeconomic indices.
The ADC shifted attention to the constitutional implications of the President's extended absence, particularly with Shettima also outside the country. The party demanded to know whether Tinubu transmitted a written declaration to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives before proceeding on vacation, as provided by Section 145 of the Constitution.
The Presidency has maintained that Tinubu continues to direct government affairs while abroad, citing his order for an independent investigation into the deaths of 37 miners. It has also defended Tinubu's decision to send Shettima to UNGA, saying the Vice-President carries the full mandate of the President and would deliver Nigeria's national statement and participate in high-level meetings and bilateral engagements.
The ADC contrasted Tinubu's stay in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron's attendance at UNGA in New York, describing the situation as embarrassing. The party asked who presently exercises the constitutional powers of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and under what provision of the Constitution.
The Presidency has rejected suggestions of a leadership vacuum, insisting that Tinubu remains in touch with developments at home and continues to direct the affairs of government from Europe. It said Shettima has the President's full mandate to lead Nigeria's delegation to UNGA in New York, while Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, continues to represent him at some official functions.
Key points
- The opposition parties' criticism centers on the constitutional implications of Tinubu's extended absence and the potential abdication of responsibility.
- The Presidency has defended Tinubu's actions, citing his continued direction of government affairs and the full mandate given to Shettima to represent Nigeria at UNGA.
- The controversy highlights the challenges of balancing presidential duties with international engagements and the need for clear constitutional arrangements for the exercise of presidential powers.
