The Nigerian Presidency has announced interim leaders as President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima are outside the country. Tinubu is on working leave, while Shettima is on an official visit to Sweden. This marks the continuation of their travels abroad during their first 100 days in office, during which they spent 28 days out of the country.
In their absence, the Presidency appointed Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Secretary to the Government of the Federation AGF George Akume, and the Ministers to take charge of the country’s leadership. The Presidency has emphasised that there is no leadership vacuum and that the country’s leadership remains steady even while the President and Vice President are abroad.
The Presidency, in a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, recalled a similar situation during the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
It reads: “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.”
Tinubu left Nigeria on October 3 and is currently on a two-week working vacation while the vice president travelled to Sweden on an official visit, working for Nigeria.
“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 the government.
“We had a similar situation in 2022 when former President Buhari and former Vice President Osinbajo were found to be simultaneously out of the country. President Buhari attended UNGA 77, while Osinbajo participated in the burial of Queen Elizabeth II.
“We have also experienced it during this administration. Between late April and early May this year, while President Tinubu was in London, after visiting the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, where he attended the World Economic Forum, Vice President Shettima left Nigeria, first of all for Nairobi, to attend the International Development Association, IDA21, Heads of State Summit.
“After returning, he left for Dallas, Texas, to attend the US-Africa Business Summit organised by the Corporate Council on Africa. President Tinubu returned home on May 8. During this time, the government’s machinery did not halt.
“The Constitution, a testament to our adaptability in the virtual age, does not explicitly require the physical presence of either the president or the vice president in the country at all times to fulfil his duties.”