A former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu, has expressed concerns over President Bola Tinubu's prolonged stay outside Nigeria, saying it creates a leadership problem. He made these comments on Channels Television's Politics Today, amid growing criticism of Tinubu's extended stay in Europe and Vice President Kashim Shettima's presence in New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
Odinkalu stated that it is an established practice for either the president or vice president to remain in Nigeria when the other is out of the country. He cited previous administrations, including those of Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yar'Adua, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari, as examples of this practice. According to Odinkalu, this convention was not followed in the current situation, with both Tinubu and Shettima absent from Nigeria.
The former NHRC chairman described Tinubu's prolonged absence as "japa", a Nigerian slang term for leaving the country in search of better opportunities. He likened the situation to President Paul Biya's extended stays away from Cameroon, stating that Tinubu cannot run Nigeria indefinitely from abroad like Biya runs Cameroon. Odinkalu also described Nigeria as an "ungoverned territory" during the simultaneous absence of the president and vice president.
Odinkalu questioned whether those currently running the country fully understand the responsibilities attached to their offices. He referred to Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides for the transfer of presidential functions when the president is unable to discharge their duties. According to Odinkalu, focusing solely on a technical reading of the Constitution could obscure the broader obligation of those holding public office to ensure effective leadership.
Tinubu left Abuja on 30 August for a three-week working vacation in Europe, which was later extended. Shettima left Abuja on 20 September for New York to represent Tinubu at the 81st UN General Assembly. The Presidency has defended Tinubu's absence, stating that he has remained in contact with officials at home and continued to direct government affairs while abroad.
The issue has drawn criticism from various quarters, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who questioned Tinubu's absence from the UN meeting and asked who was in charge of the country. The federal government has defended Tinubu's absence, saying Shettima has the president's full mandate to represent Nigeria and that the country would be fully represented at the gathering.
This is the third consecutive time Tinubu has delegated Shettima to represent him at the UN General Assembly. The situation has raised concerns about the country's leadership and the need for clear guidelines on presidential succession and representation.
Key points
- Odinkalu criticizes Tinubu's prolonged absence, citing concerns over leadership and the need for effective governance.
- The situation has drawn criticism from various quarters, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
- The federal government has defended Tinubu's absence, citing Shettima's mandate to represent Nigeria at the UN General Assembly.
