The Presidency has assured Nigerians that the absence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima from the country does not create a leadership vacuum. This reassurance comes after public concerns were raised regarding the leadership of the country while both top leaders are abroad.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, emphasized that the President and Vice President remain in full control of the nation’s affairs, despite being out of the country. Onanuga noted that physical presence is not a requirement for either leader to perform their duties effectively.
The full statement reads:
THERE IS NO VACUUM IN LEADERSHIP AS THE PRESIDENT AND VP ARE OUT OF THE COUNTRY
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:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. The vice president departed the country Wednesday for Sweden on an official visit, working for Nigeria.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
