In response to public curiosity and media enquiries about the nation’s leadership status with both President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima currently abroad, the Presidency has assured Nigerians that there is no leadership vacuum.
In a statement on Wednesday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, emphasized that the country’s leadership remains firmly in control and that all state functions are operating smoothly.
President Tinubu embarked on a two-week working vacation on October 3. Despite being away, he has maintained active communication with the nation, issuing directives and staying engaged in state affairs.
He is expected to return before the end of his vacation. Meanwhile, Vice President Shettima has also traveled to Sweden on an official visit, continuing to represent Nigeria’s interests abroad.
“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 stated.
Drawing from a comparable instance in 2022, Onanuga recounted when former President Muhammadu Buhari attended the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York while then-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo attended Queen Elizabeth II’s burial in the United Kingdom. During this time, Nigeria experienced no interruption in governance.
Onanuga affirmed that the Nigerian Constitution accommodates the ability of the President and Vice President to fulfill their duties remotely, highlighting the adaptability of governance in a digital age. “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,” he added.
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