Akpabio defends Tinubu’s absence, says president still running Nigeria

n n

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has declared that there is no vacancy in the Presidency, insisting that President Bola Tinubu remains in charge of Nigeria despite his absence from the country.

n

Akpabio said this on Tuesday in Akwa Ibom State while dismissing concerns over Tinubu’s continued stay in Europe and the simultaneous absence of the President and Vice President Kashim Shettima from Nigeria.

n

The Senate President also rejected suggestions that he was acting President, saying Tinubu remained in power and continued to run the affairs of the country from abroad.

n

He said, “First to correct an impression. I am the Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly.

n

“By your grace, the grace of God, and the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I am not the acting president. Because the President is still in power. The President is on a working leave. So, there is no absence in Aso Rock.

n

“What he cannot do here, he is doing abroad. The other day, he was with President Macron on a state visit, discussing bilaterals to bring thing back to Nigeria. And then, because he could not make it to the UNGA—United Nations General Assembly—his Vice President went.”

n

Akpabio said those raising concerns about a possible leadership vacuum were merely speculating, stressing that he was the appropriate authority to speak for the National Assembly on the issue.

n

“There is no vacancy. People who are talking are just talking. I am the only person, as Chairman of the National Assembly, that can speak the voice of the National Assembly and say there is a vacancy and there will be a vacancy.

n

“Right now, there is no vacancy. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is still in power, and he is still running the affairs of Nigeria,” he said.

n

He argued that technological advancement had made it possible for Tinubu to continue directing government affairs while outside the country.

n

“Nigeria has become—the world has become a global village. You can give instructions even from the internet, anything. So why are people complaining?” Akpabio said.

n

He added that Tinubu remained in contact with officials at home and would return to commission presidential projects.

n

“His Excellency, the President, is very proud of you and sends his greetings to you. And said I should assure you that as soon as he comes back into Nigeria, he will give you a date that he will come and commission those presidential projects,” he said.

n

Akpabio declined to disclose details of the projects, saying, “I don’t want to leak what he will commission, but I know that there is a resource centre that… I won’t mention it.”

n

Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for what the Presidency described as a three-week working vacation in Europe, initially travelling to London before moving to Paris, France.

n

While in Paris, the President met French President Emmanuel Macron and held discussions on bilateral relations.

n

The original three-week period expired around September 20, but the Presidency announced on Monday that Tinubu had extended his stay and would return to Nigeria at the weekend.

n

The extension came amid questions over his absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Shettima is currently leading Nigeria’s delegation.

n

The development has triggered renewed political and constitutional debate, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar questioning who is exercising presidential authority while Tinubu remains abroad.

n

Atiku cited Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides that when the President proceeds on vacation or is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office, he shall transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

n

Until the President transmits a contrary declaration, the Vice President is to perform the functions of the office as Acting President.

n

Atiku had argued that Nigerians had not been shown evidence of such a declaration and questioned the constitutional basis for Tinubu’s continued absence without a formal transfer of power.

n

The Federal Government has, however, maintained that Tinubu remains in charge and can govern from anywhere.

n

The Presidency has also defended Shettima’s representation of Nigeria at the UNGA, saying the Vice President is attending with the full mandate of the President.

n

Akpabio’s remarks on Tuesday now add the National Assembly leadership’s voice to the Presidency’s position that there is no leadership vacuum and that Tinubu remains the country’s sitting President while on his extended working leave.

n n