The Presidency has named Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume and the ministers as those in charge of the country’s leadership in the absence of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Both Tinubu and Shettima are currently abroad while the presidency insists that there is no leadership vacuum in the country.

There have been enquiries across the country regarding who is in charge of Nigeria in the absence of the president and his deputy.

The Presidency, through a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, recalled a similar situation during the immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The statement said: “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.”

Tinubu jetted out of the country on October 3 to commence a two-week working vacation in the United Kingdom (UK), while the vice president departed on Wednesday for Sweden, on an official trip.

“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’s statement clarified.

“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 II.

“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.

“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 fulfill his duties.”

The annual Ofala Festival which celebrates the best of African culture and sponsored by digital solutions provider, Globacom, kicks –off in the historic city of Onitsha on Friday at the Ime Obi, the palace of Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, the traditional ruler of the Kingdom.

In a press statement in Lagos, Globacom said, “the festival’s first day, known as Iru Ofala, takes place on Friday, followed by Azu Ofala, on Saturday, October 19, while the annual Royal Banquet organised by Globacom in honour of Igwe Achebe comes up at the Ime Obi on Wednesday, October 23.”

This prominent traditional festival in Southeastern Nigeria marks the monarch’s annual emergence from seclusion, where he successfully negotiates the kingdom’s fortunes.

The theme of the 2024 Ofala festival, “Courage, Perseverance, and Self-Reliance” (Onye kwe, Chi’e ekwe), reflects the Igwe’s message of hope and resilience amidst prevailing hardships in the country.

“We are proud to once again partner with the Ofala Steering Committee to showcase Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage. The Ofala  is a celebration of our nation’s diversity and resilience, and we are honoured to be a part of it”, Globacom concluded.

The national electricity grid collapsed again on Tuesday, the second time within 24 hours, plunging millions of people into darkness.

The latest incident comes barely 24 hours after electricity distribution companies across the country announced the grid collapsed around 6:48 p.m, resulting in the loss of power supply across their networks.

“Dear valued customer, kindly be informed that there was a system collapse at 09:17hrs which has resulted to a loss of power supply across our network,” Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) which serves some parts of Lagos State said on its X handle.

“We are currently working with our partners as we hope for a speedy restoration of the grid. We will keep you updated as soon as power is restored. Kindly bear with us.”

Similarly, the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company confirmed the fresh collapse and promised the restoration of normalcy as soon as possible.