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President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio has dismissed calls for President Bola Tinubu to hand over power to Vice President Kashim Shettima, insisting that there is no leadership vacuum despite the president’s continued stay abroad on a working vacation.
Akpabio spoke on Tuesday in Akwa Ibom State while commissioning road projects executed by Governor Umo Eno, amid renewed public debate over Tinubu’s extended vacation.
Akpabio’s comments came against the backdrop of questions raised in some quarters over the simultaneous absence of the president and vice president from Nigeria and whether a formal transfer of power was required.
He maintained that Tinubu remained in control of the administration and that his physical absence from the country did not mean that presidential powers had become vacant.
The Presidency had announced on Monday that the President’s three-week working vacation, which began on 30 August, had been extended by a few days, with Tinubu expected back in Nigeria at the weekend.
Addressing concerns over the President’s absence from the country, Akpabio said Tinubu remained in charge of the affairs of government and that his stay abroad did not amount to a vacancy in the presidency.
“I am the Senate President, and I am not the acting president of Nigeria, because President Tinubu is still in power. He is on a working leave, and there is no absence in Aso Rock. The world is a global village, and one can give instructions over the internet. So, why are people complaining?” he said.
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Akpabio further maintained that the circumstances requiring the Senate President to assume a constitutional role in the presidential succession framework did not exist.
“Right now, there is no vacancy. Asiwaju Tinubu is still in power, and he is still running the affairs of Nigeria,” he added.
The Senate President also pointed to the President’s engagements while abroad as evidence that Tinubu remained active in the discharge of his responsibilities.
According to the Presidency, Tinubu continues to direct government affairs from Europe and, while in Paris, held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
It also said Tinubu had remained in touch with officials in Nigeria and issued directives while away, including ordering an independent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Minna.
While Tinubu has been away, Vice President Shettima has represented him at some official engagements. Shettima, however, left Abuja on 20 September for New York to represent Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly, after which Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, was expected to continue representing the President at official functions.
Tinubu departed Nigeria on 30 August for London to begin his three-week annual leave before proceeding to Paris. The Presidency initially said he would return after the vacation but announced on 21 September that his stay had been extended by a few days.
