The Presidency has assigned Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, and other ministers to manage Nigeria’s affairs while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima are away.
This move is to ensure that the country’s governance continues seamlessly.
President Tinubu is currently on a two-week working vacation abroad since October 3, and Vice President Shettima is on an official visit to Sweden.
Drawing from a past instance during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, the presidency said leadership continued effectively even when both the president and vice president were simultaneously out of the country.
The Presidency, in a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said:
“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.
“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,” the statement said.
“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 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.”
