Tinubu’s 21-day absence from Nigeria faces criticism and questions from the opposition about whether he transferred presidential powers to Shettima
Tinubu Faces Pressure Over Power Transfer to Shettima
President Bola Tinubu is facing fresh criticism over his extended stay outside Nigeria.
The criticism centres on whether he transferred presidential powers to Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for a three-week vacation in London. He later travelled to Paris, France, where he met President Emmanuel Macron.
However, his absence has sparked questions from opposition politicians and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
They have questioned whether the President complied with Section 145 of the Nigerian Constitution.
The provision deals with situations where a President is away or unable to perform his duties. It requires a written declaration to the Senate President and House Speaker in certain circumstances.
Makinde Questions Tinubu’s Extended Absence
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde raised the issue during a town hall meeting in Katsina State.
Makinde said governors already follow a similar process when they travel for extended periods.
“Anytime I have to travel out, not for work but on vacation, for more than 21 days, I transmit power to the Deputy Governor,” he said.
He questioned why the same principle should not apply at the federal level.
Makinde also pointed to situations involving illness, medical trips or other forms of incapacitation.
“If that happens, the President should also transmit power to the Vice President,” he said.
The ADC also demanded answers from the Presidency and National Assembly.
The party said Tinubu had been away for more than 21 days. It therefore asked whether he transmitted the required declaration.
Sowore Calls For Clarification
AAC presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore also weighed in on the controversy.
He urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to confirm whether they received the required declaration.
Sowore argued that calling Tinubu’s trip a “working vacation” does not settle the constitutional question.
The ADC also criticised Tinubu’s continued stay in Paris while Macron travelled to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.
The party questioned why Nigeria’s President remained in France while his French counterpart attended the global gathering.
Presidency Defends Tinubu’s Authority
The Presidency has rejected the criticism surrounding Tinubu’s absence.
Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, said Tinubu could continue performing his duties from anywhere.
“It is funny how opposition candidates are asking the question who is in charge of Nigeria simply because the President and Vice President are out of the country,” Bwala wrote on X.
He added that Tinubu could direct and administer Nigeria’s affairs from anywhere as Commander-in-Chief.
The Presidency has also maintained that Tinubu remained engaged with government business during his stay abroad.
For now, the main issue remains whether the President transmitted the declaration required under Section 145.
That question has placed the Presidency, National Assembly and opposition figures at the centre of a growing constitutional debate.
