The presidency on Wednesday assured Nigerians that the absence of both President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima from the country will not lead to a leadership vacuum.
According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, the President and Vice President remain actively engaged with the nation’s affairs despite being abroad.
President Tinubu is currently on a two-week vacation in the United Kingdom, following a recent visit to France, while Vice President Shettima is on a two-day official trip to Sweden.
The statement read: “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.
“The vice president departed the country Wednesday for Sweden on an official visit, working for Nigeria. 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.”
Onanuga pointed out that a similar situation occurred in 2022 when both ident Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo were out of Nigeria at the same time.
He said at the time, Buhari attended the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), while Osinbajo was in the UK for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
He further stated that the current administration faced a comparable scenario between late April and early May of this year.
Onanuga said President Tinubu was in London after visiting the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, where he attended the World Economic Forum.
Meanwhile, Vice President Shettima had departed Nigeria for Nairobi to participate in the International Development Association (IDA21) Heads of State Summit. Upon his return, Shettima immediately travelled to Dallas, Texas, to attend the US-Africa Business Summit organized by the Corporate Council on Africa.
Onanuga emphasised that despite the absence of the President and Vice President, the government continued to function seamlessly, with President Tinubu returning to Nigeria on May 8.
“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”
