The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council has urged the Presidency to provide clarity on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's whereabouts and the status of his extended stay abroad. This call comes after Tinubu's prolonged absence, which has raised concerns among Nigerians. The President initially traveled to London on August 30 for a three-week working vacation before moving to Paris, France.
On September 21, the Presidency announced that Tinubu had extended his vacation and would return to Nigeria at the weekend. However, as of Sunday, September 27, the ADC PCC noted that Nigerians were still awaiting an update on the President's return and the circumstances surrounding the extension. The party's Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, signed a statement emphasizing the need for a clear and transparent explanation.
The ADC PCC argued that the office of the President is a public trust, and Nigerians are entitled to know where the President is and who is exercising presidential authority while he remains abroad. This concern is not new, as the party had previously raised issues about the absence of both Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima. Shettima left Nigeria on September 20 to represent the President at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The Presidency had announced that Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, would represent Tinubu at official engagements. However, the ADC has questioned the constitutional basis of this arrangement, particularly with both the President and Vice-President outside Nigeria. The party emphasized that the issue is not just about representation at official events but about who is constitutionally exercising the functions of the President.
According to the Presidency, Tinubu has remained in contact with officials in Nigeria and continued to direct the affairs of government while abroad. The President had also delegated Shettima to represent him at some official functions during his absence. A report by TheCable on September 25 cited presidential sources stating that Tinubu was expected to return on Sunday, September 27, initially to Lagos before proceeding to Abuja.
The ADC has called for clarification on the President's current location, the reason for the prolonged absence, the status of his vacation, and the constitutional arrangements governing the country while he remains abroad. The party also urged the Presidency to explain the constitutional basis for the current arrangement, given that the President's stay outside Nigeria has gone beyond the initially planned period.
The uncertainty surrounding Tinubu's return and the exercise of presidential authority has sparked concerns among Nigerians. The ADC's demand for clarity highlights the need for transparency and accountability in the exercise of power. As the situation continues to unfold, Nigerians remain eager for an update on the President's status and the arrangements in place during his absence.
Key points
- The African Democratic Congress has called on the Presidency to provide clarity on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's whereabouts and the status of his extended stay abroad.
- The party has questioned the constitutional basis of the arrangement for representation at official events while both the President and Vice-President are outside Nigeria.
- The ADC has urged the Presidency to explain the constitutional basis for the current arrangement and provide transparency on the exercise of presidential authority during Tinubu's absence.
