Prince Adewole Adebayo, the Social Democratic Party's presidential candidate, has called for the immediate impeachment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alleging a breach of the 1999 Constitution. Adebayo accused Tinubu of prolonging his absence from the country without formally transmitting power to the Vice-President, violating constitutional provisions on the transfer of presidential authority. This, according to Adebayo, disregards the rule of law and the Constitution.
Adebayo's campaign council cited Section 145(1) of the Constitution, which states that when the President is unable to discharge his duties, he must transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Vice-President is then to perform the functions of President as Acting President until a contrary declaration is made. The council contrasted this with former President Muhammadu Buhari's practice of formally transmitting power to former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo during his absences.
The campaign council expressed concern over the simultaneous absence of both the President and Vice-President from the country, posing a threat to national security and creating delays in critical decision-making. Adebayo emphasized that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land and should not be treated lightly. He stated that a President's failure to transmit power while absent abdicates their legitimacy to govern, and the constitutional remedy for such a breach is impeachment.
Adebayo criticized the National Assembly for failing to perform its constitutional oversight responsibilities, specifically for not initiating impeachment proceedings against the President. He described the legislature as a "rubber-stamp legislature" that operates as an extension of the executive arm rather than as an independent check on executive power. The campaign council called on Nigerians, civil society organizations, and constitutional lawyers to speak out against this precedent.
The council demanded an immediate return to constitutional order. Recent reports indicate that other opposition actors have also questioned whether the constitutional requirements surrounding the President's absence were met. Adebayo's campaign council emphasized that the President's actions set a dangerous precedent that must be addressed.
On healthcare, Adebayo stated that his administration would work to end or significantly reduce medical tourism by public office holders through improvements in Nigeria's health institutions. He promised to fix Nigeria's health institutions with urgency and make public officials seeking medical treatment abroad do so at their own expense. This, according to Adebayo, would significantly reduce or eliminate medical tourism.
Adebayo's call for impeachment comes amid concerns over the President's prolonged absence and the perceived breach of constitutional provisions. The SDP presidential candidate emphasized the importance of upholding the Constitution and ensuring that the President adheres to its provisions. The situation remains a subject of discussion among Nigerians, civil society organizations, and constitutional lawyers.
Key points
- Prince Adewole Adebayo calls for President Tinubu's impeachment over alleged constitutional breach.
- Adebayo cites Section 145(1) of the Constitution, which requires the President to transmit power to the Vice-President during absence.
- The SDP presidential candidate promises to address medical tourism by public office holders through improvements in Nigeria's health institutions.
