ADC questions constitutional basis for Tinubu and Shettima absences

The African Democratic Congress has criticised the absence of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima from the country, calling for questions about who is responsible for government in their absence. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the situation as a “very dangerous precedent” during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today. He questioned whether Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume had a constitutional basis to represent the President while both Tinubu and Shettima were away.

According to the supplied material, Tinubu had been outside Nigeria since August 30 on a working vacation. Shettima left Abuja on September 20 for New York, where he was representing the President at the 81st United Nations General Assembly. The Presidency has said the absences have not disrupted governance.

It said Tinubu remained in contact with developments at home and continued to direct the affairs of government. It also said Akume would continue representing the President at some official events while Shettima was in New York. Abdullahi argued that the Nigerian Constitution does not recognise a presidential “working vacation” involving relocation to another country.

He said the National Assembly should reconvene from its recess to address the matter, but alleged lawmakers would not do so because they were too closely aligned with Tinubu. The supplied material did not indicate that the National Assembly had taken action in response to the ADC’s demand.