Akpabio Says Tinubu Still Running Nigeria From Abroad

Nigerian Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed calls for Vice-President Kashim Shettima to be made Acting President, saying President Bola Tinubu remains in charge of the country despite extending his stay abroad.

Akpabio spoke against the backdrop of calls by Nigerians for the National Assembly to invoke section 145(2) of the constitution over Tinubu’s continued stay outside Nigeria.

African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore argued that the 21-day period under Section 145 had expired and urged the National Assembly to mandate Shettima to be appointed Acting President.

“If they did not, the 21-day threshold has passed, and the National Assembly must begin the process prescribed by Section 145(2) to mandate Vice-President Kashim Shettima to perform the functions of President as Acting President,” he said.

Akpabio, however, rejected the claim, saying there was no vacancy in the presidency because Tinubu was still exercising presidential powers from abroad.

“Just to correct an impression, I am the Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly. We know you, sir. By your grace, the grace of God, and the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I am not the acting president,” Akpabio said.

He described Tinubu’s stay abroad as a “working leave”, arguing that the President had continued to direct the affairs of the country.

“Because the President is still in power. The President is on a working leave. So there is no absence in Aso Rock,” he said.

According to Akpabio, Tinubu had continued to undertake official engagements while abroad, including discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron on bilateral matters.

He also said the President’s inability to attend the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York had not prevented the country from being represented, as Shettima travelled to the United States for the meetings.

Akpabio said the President could continue to give instructions and direct government affairs from outside Nigeria, arguing that advances in communication had made physical presence in the Presidential Villa unnecessary for the President to perform his functions.

“There is no vacancy. People who are talking are just talking,” he said.

The Senate President also said he was the appropriate authority to speak on whether there was a vacancy in the presidency.

“I am the only person, as Chairman of the National Assembly, that can speak the voice of the National Assembly and say there is vacancy and there will be vacancy,” he said.

Akpabio maintained that Tinubu remained in control of the government and was still running the country’s affairs.

His comments come as Sowore has challenged the National Assembly to establish whether Tinubu transmitted the declaration contemplated under Section 145(1) of the Constitution and, if not, commence the process provided under Section 145(2).

The disagreement centres on the constitutional implications of the President’s continued absence from Nigeria and whether his ability to direct government affairs remotely means there is no constitutional basis for the Vice-President to assume presidential functions as Acting President.

Akpabio also said Tinubu was expected to return to Nigeria and commission some presidential projects, though he did not provide a specific date.