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.”