AAC asks court to rule on Tinubu’s alleged failure to notify lawmakers before vacation

The African Action Congress has sued President Bola Tinubu and other officials at the Federal High Court in Abuja over the President’s alleged failure to notify the National Assembly before taking a month-long vacation in Europe. In an originating summons filed on Monday, the party asked the court to declare that Tinubu breached Section 145(1) of the 1999 Constitution by leaving Nigeria without sending a written declaration to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2358/2026, names Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Senate President, the Speaker and the National Assembly as defendants.

The AAC claims that the President left Nigeria on August 30, 2026, and remained abroad when the case was filed. The party also challenges the National Assembly’s alleged failure to convene and pass a resolution authorising the Vice-President to act as President after Tinubu had spent more than 21 days away. The AAC is asking for an injunction preventing the President from taking future vacations without first transmitting the required declaration.

It also wants the court to determine whether the Constitution permits a president to travel without formally informing the legislature. The case was filed by lawyer Inibehe Effiong under the Federal High Court’s civil procedure rules and relevant constitutional provisions. The defendants have been directed to enter an appearance within 30 days of service.

No hearing date has been fixed. The allegations in the suit have not been determined by the court.