KEY POINTS
- The presidency assures there is no leadership gap despite both leaders travelling.
- Tinubu continues to manage state affairs during his vacation.
- Shettima represents Nigeria in bilateral talks in Sweden.
The presidency has clarified that Nigeria’s constitution does not require the physical presence of either the president or the vice president at all times to carry out their duties. Therefore, the country has no leadership vacuum, despite President Bola Tinubu’s two-week working vacation and Vice President Kashim Shettima’s recent trip to Sweden for bilateral talks.
No leadership vacuum during President Tinubu’s vacation
The presidency emphasized that both leaders continue to be fully involved in national affairs while travelling in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy.
“Following inquiries by journalists regarding who is in charge while the president and vice president are out of the country, we want to clarify: It is important to note that the president and vice president are fully engaged with the nation’s affairs, even while they are away. There is no leadership vacuum in the country,” the statement read.
President Tinubu left on Oct. 3 for a two-week working vacation, during which he has been handling state matters by answering calls and issuing directives. He is expected to return before his vacation officially ends.
Meanwhile, Vice President Shettima departed for Sweden on Wednesday for an official visit, continuing to oversee Nigeria’s interests abroad.
State organs remain operational with key officials at their posts
“All state organs are functioning as usual. The Senate president, the secretary to the government of the federation, ministers, and service chiefs are all in their respective positions, ensuring the smooth operation of government,” the statement continued.
According to a report by Vanguard, the presidency also referenced similar situations in 2022, when former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo were both out of the country for official duties. Buhari attended the United Nations General Assembly, while Osinbajo participated in the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
More recently, between late April and early May this year, President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima were abroad on different occasions, and the government’s operations continued uninterrupted.
“The constitution, a testament to our adaptability in the virtual age, does not explicitly require the physical presence of either the president or vice president in the country at all times to fulfil their duties,” the presidency concluded.
