The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has dismissed concerns over President Bola Tinubu’s continued absence from the country, insisting that there is no leadership vacuum in Nigeria as the President remains in charge of government.
Akpabio made the clarification on Tuesday in Akwa Ibom while commissioning road projects executed by Governor Umo Eno.
His comments came amid renewed debate over the absence of both Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima from the country.
Tinubu, who left Nigeria on August 30 for a working vacation, has extended his stay in Europe by a few days and is expected to return at the weekend, according to the Presidency. Shettima is currently in New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
Akpabio, however, said the situation did not amount to a vacancy in the presidency, stressing that Tinubu remained in power and continued to direct the affairs of the country.
‘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.
He added: ‘Right now, there is no vacancy. Asiwaju Tinubu is still in power, and he is still running the affairs of Nigeria.’
The Senate President also cited the President’s continued engagement with government affairs and diplomatic contacts while abroad, including his recent communication with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The Presidency had on Monday said Tinubu remained in touch with officials at home and continued to direct government affairs while in Europe.
It also said the President had delegated Shettima to represent him at some official functions, while Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, would continue to represent him at other engagements following Shettima’s departure for the UN General Assembly.
Akpabio’s remarks followed questions over whether the President ought to formally transmit power to the Vice-President during the extended vacation.
The debate has also attracted opposition criticism, with the African Democratic Congress questioning the constitutional basis for the current arrangement involving the President, Vice-President and SGF.
The Presidency, however, maintains that Tinubu remains actively engaged in governance despite being outside the country and has pointed to directives issued by him during the trip, including the order for an independeikint investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Minna.