- Says, Constitution doesn’t Explicitly Require President or His Vice physical Presence in Nigeria …to Fufill his duties
By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Presidency has assured Nigerians that the absence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima will not create any leadership vacuum in the country.
This assurance is contained in a statement issued by Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
The statement stated that both the president and his second-in-command do not necessarily need to be physically present to discharge their constitutional duties. Onanuga stressed that the absence of the duo doesn’t not in any way amount to any unconstitutional act or a vacuum in the leadership of the country.
He said: “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.”
Onanuga who said the clarification became necessary following enquiries from reporters noted that, “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.”
He stressed that even on vacation, Tinubu has been giving directives on matters of state as he has been accessible and reachable every minute.
Onanuga even noted that this isn’t the first time Nigeria will find itself in this kind of situation stressing that it has happened before during the Tinubu administration.
“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,” Onanuga said.
“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.
” 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.
“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.”
President Tinubu had left the country and is on a two-week working vacation. But while Nigerians were expecting him to return to Nigeria, news hit the public space of that the Vice-President also was leaving the country for Sweden for a bilateral meeting.
The statement announcing the development stated that Shettima is embarking on the journey at the instance of Tinubu.
This development has left my Nigerians to be wondering if there would be no leadership vacuum as nobody will be at the helm, at least, in the execute arm of government.
But Onanuga dismissed these concerns, stressing that the Constitution of Nigeria does not explicitly require the physical presence of either the President or Vice President in the country at all times to fulfill his duties.
