Atiku Demands Clarity on Who Holds Presidential Powers as Tinubu’s Vacation Runs Long
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has asked the Presidency and the National Assembly to clarify who is exercising the powers of the President as Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s extended working vacation continues in Europe.
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for a three-week working vacation, initially expected to take him to London and Paris before his return to Nigeria.
The Presidency has now confirmed that the President’s stay in Europe has been extended by a few days and that he is expected to return this weekend.
Atiku’s questions centre on the constitutional procedure governing the transfer of presidential functions when the President is away on vacation.
He has specifically referred to Section 145 of the Nigerian Constitution, arguing that Nigerians should be told whether a formal declaration was transmitted to the leadership of the National Assembly regarding the President’s absence.
The issue has become more prominent because Vice President Kashim Shettima is also outside Nigeria, representing the country at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The Presidency has maintained that Tinubu remains in charge and has continued to direct government affairs from Europe. The State House said the President has remained in contact with officials in Nigeria and has continued taking decisions while away.
The Presidency also stated that Shettima has been representing the President at official functions while Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume has represented Tinubu at other events.
Atiku, however, has argued that the constitutional position should be made clear, particularly because the President’s original three-week vacation has now elapsed.
His position has triggered a wider public discussion about the constitutional meaning of presidential absence and the circumstances under which the Vice President assumes presidential functions.
The issue is not simply about where the President is physically located but about what constitutional arrangements govern the exercise of presidential powers during an extended absence.
The Presidency has rejected the suggestion that the government is operating without leadership, while Atiku has continued to demand greater clarity on the constitutional process.
With Tinubu expected to return this weekend, the immediate political controversy may shift towards whether the constitutional questions raised by Atiku have been adequately addressed.
