Nigerian President Bola Tinubu's 21-day vacation period, which began on August 30, 2026, has expired, but he remains outside the country. The Presidency announced on September 21 that Tinubu had extended his stay abroad by a few days, describing it as a "working vacation." According to the Presidency, Tinubu continued to direct the affairs of government from abroad and had delegated Vice-President Kashim Shettima to represent him at some official functions.
Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2027 general election, Omoyele Sowore, has urged the National Assembly to invoke Section 145(2) of the 1999 Constitution. Sowore argued that the President is required to transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives whenever he proceeds on vacation or is unable to discharge his functions. He claimed that there had been no public confirmation that such a declaration had been transmitted to the National Assembly.
Section 145(2) of the Constitution provides that if the President fails to transmit the declaration within 21 days, the National Assembly shall, by a simple majority in each chamber, mandate the Vice-President to perform the functions of President as Acting President. Sowore called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to clarify whether they had received the required declaration. He rejected the Presidency's description of Tinubu's stay abroad as a "working vacation," arguing that the Constitution does not provide for such an exception.
Sowore maintained that the issue was no longer simply about the President's vacation but whether the constitutional procedure governing presidential absence had been followed. He emphasized that if the required declaration had not been transmitted within the period stipulated by Section 145, the National Assembly should commence the process provided under Section 145(2). This would involve mandating Vice-President Shettima to perform the functions of President as Acting President.
The Presidency has defended Tinubu's extended stay abroad, stating that he remained engaged with the affairs of government while abroad. However, Sowore argued that this did not resolve the constitutional question surrounding the President's absence. He emphasized that the Constitution requires a formal declaration to be transmitted to the National Assembly, which had not been done.
The development has sparked a constitutional debate in Nigeria, with many Nigerians questioning the implications of Tinubu's prolonged absence on the country's governance. The National Assembly has been called upon to clarify the situation and ensure that the constitutional procedures are followed. The Assembly's response to Sowore's call remains uncertain.
The situation has raised concerns about the country's preparedness for unexpected presidential absences or incapacities. The invocation of Section 145(2) would have significant implications for the country's governance and could potentially affect the stability of the administration. The National Assembly's handling of the matter will be closely watched by Nigerians and the international community.
Key points
- The Nigerian President's prolonged absence has sparked concerns about the country's governance and the need for the National Assembly to clarify the situation.
- Omoyele Sowore has urged the National Assembly to invoke Section 145(2) of the Constitution to mandate Vice-President Kashim Shettima to perform the functions of President as Acting President.
- The Presidency has defended Tinubu's extended stay abroad, stating that he remained engaged with the affairs of government while abroad.
