The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday reassured the public that despite both President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima being out of the country at the same time, there is no vacuum in the administration of Nigeria.
President Tinubu is currently on a two-week leave, spending time in the United Kingdom and now in France. Meanwhile, Vice President Shettima departed Abuja on Wednesday for a two-day official engagement in Sweden.
The simultaneous absence of both leaders has raised concerns in some quarters, prompting the presidency to step in and clarify that the country’s administration is functioning smoothly.
In a statement released Wednesday, Onanuga acknowledged that media inquiries had been made regarding the absence of both leaders. He emphasized that it was important to address these concerns.
He highlighted that this is not the first time both leaders have been out of the country simultaneously.
The statement further clarified that “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.”
The statement continued, “President Tinubu left the country on 3 October and is on a two-week working vacation. During this time, he has been busy answering phones and issuing directives on matters of state. He will soon return to the country before the vacation officially expires.”
It added that “The vice president departed the country Wednesday for Sweden on an official visit, working 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,” the statement reassured.
The presidency also pointed out that a similar situation occurred in 2022 when both former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo were out of the country at the same time. President Buhari was attending the UN General Assembly, while Vice President Osinbajo was participating in the burial of Queen Elizabeth II.
A similar situation took place earlier in the current administration as well. Between late April and early May this year, while President Tinubu was in London after visits to the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia for the World Economic Forum, Vice President Shettima was traveling for official duties.
He first attended the International Development Association Heads of State Summit in Nairobi, before heading to Dallas, Texas, for the US-Africa Business Summit organized by the Corporate Council on Africa. President Tinubu returned to Nigeria on 8 May. During that period, government operations continued uninterrupted.
In closing, the presidency emphasized that the Constitution, in reflecting the realities of the digital age, does not explicitly require the physical presence of either the president or vice president at all times to fulfill their duties.
