Tinubu, Shettima: No leadership vacuum in Aso Rock – Presidency
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Presidency has assured that there’s no leadership vacuum in the Presidential Villa despite the absence of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, who are currently out of the country.
In a statement issued by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, while addressing enquiries by journalists as to who is in charge of our country as the President and Vice President are out of the country, assured that both leaders are fully engaged with the nation’s affairs, even while they are away.
Onanuga maintained that President Tinubu, who left for a two-week working vacation on October 3, remains engaged with national affairs.
Shettima departed for Sweden on October 16 for official duties.
He recalled that a similar situation played out in 2022 when former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo were out of the country simultaneously. While Buhari attended UNGA 77, Osinbajo participated in the burial of Queen Elizabeth ll.
The presidential spokesman noted that this situation is not unprecedented, recalling that between late April and early May 2024, both leaders were abroad for significant international engagements.
During that period, President Tinubu attended the World Economic Forum in Saudi Arabia after official visits to the Netherlands. Meanwhile, Vice President Shettima travelled to Nairobi for the International Development Association Heads of State Summit and subsequently to Dallas for the U.S.-Africa Business Summit.
The statement read: “Following enquiries by journalists as to who is in charge of our country as 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.
“President Tinubu left the country on 3 October and is on a two-week working vacation. During this time, he has been busy answering phones and issuing directives on matters of state. He will soon return to the country before the vacation officially expires.
“The vice president departed the country Wednesday for 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 ll.
“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 8 May. 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.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticised this development, stating, “I have been inundated by reports of the absence of the president and vice president from the country. It is unprecedented that the two leaders will be absent at the same time, especially now that the nation is faced with daunting challenges.” He questioned whether Nigeria is on “autopilot” during this critical period.
Public affairs analyst Dr. Abubakar Sani echoed these concerns but also pointed out that the Constitution does not require the president’s physical presence at all times. He noted, “The government is a system, and it’s working… It’s about public good, energy, security and opportunities for our youths, and cost of living. These are what we need and not the whereabouts of the President.”