By Abiola Olawale
The Presidency has urged Nigerians to remain calm as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima are currently out of the country.
Following rising concerns, the Presidency clarified that Nigeria’s constitution does not explicitly require the physical presence of either the President or the Vice President in Nigeria at all times to fulfil their official responsibilities.
In a press statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency emphasized that both leaders remain fully engaged with national duties despite their absence from the country.
The statement read: “Following inquiries by journalists regarding who is in charge while the President and Vice President are out of the country, we want to clarify:
“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.
“President Tinubu left on October 3 and is currently on a two-week working vacation. During this time, he has been busy answering calls and issuing directives on state matters. He will return to the country before his vacation officially ends.
“The Vice President departed for Sweden on Wednesday for an official visit, continuing to work 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 encountered a similar situation in 2022 when former President Buhari and former Vice President Osinbajo were simultaneously out of the country. President Buhari attended the UN General Assembly, while Osinbajo participated in the burial of Queen Elizabeth II.
“We also experienced this during this administration. Between late April and early May this year, while President Tinubu was in London after visiting the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia for the World Economic Forum, Vice President Shettima left Nigeria first for Nairobi to attend the International Development Association (IDA21) Heads of State Summit. After returning, he travelled to Dallas, Texas, for the US-Africa Business Summit organized by the Corporate Council on Africa. President Tinubu returned home on May 8. During this time, the government’s machinery did not halt.
“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 their duties.”
The New Diplomat reports that Tinubu had embarked on a two-week working vacation while Shettima jetted out to Sweden for bilateral meetings.
