Nigerian Presidency Assures No Leadership Vacuum Despite Tinubu And Shettima’s Absence

The Nigerian presidency issued a statement Wednesday to address the absence of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in the country, noting that it did not create any vacuum in the country's leadership.

Tinubu had left for the United Kingdom on Oct. 2 for a two-week working leave. He then traveled from the U.K. to France on Oct. 11 for "another important engagement," as tweeted by his senior Special assistant on political and other matters, Ibrahim Masari.

Meanwhile, Shettima left Abuja on Wednesday for Sweden for a two-day visit to represent Nigeria in discussions with the Scandinavian country. This is the second time both leaders have been away from the country at the same time since they took office 17 months ago.

According to the presidency, both leaders are still involved in the country's matters, even while they are away. The special adviser to the president on information and strategy Bayo Onanuga made this point in a statement titled, "There is no vacuum in leadership as the President and VP are out of the country."

"During this time, the government's machinery did not halt," Onanuga said, as per the official statement shared on X. "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 presidency further shared that the president has been "busy answering phones and issuing directives on matters of state. He will soon return to the country before the vacation officially expires."

The presidency said all government bodies were working as usual. The senate president, the secretary to the government of the federation, ministers and service chiefs were all present in their roles, ensuring the government operated smoothly.

The statement noted the Constitution allowed for flexibility in the modern age and did not require the president or the vice president to be physically present in the country at all times to carry out their duties.

Onanuga compared this situation to similar ones during the Buhari administration, mentioning that in 2022, both the former President and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo were out of the country at the same time.