October 16, (THEWILL) – The Presidency says President Bola Tinubu and his deputy, Kashim Shettima, are fully engaged with the nation’s affairs, even while they are away, saying “There is no leadership vacuum in the country”.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made the clarification on Wednesday night, in response to enquiries by journalists as the President and Vice President are out of the country.
THEWILL reports that Vice President Kashim Shettim departed Abuja for Sweden on a 2-day visit to represent Nigeria in bilateral engagements with the Scandinavian nation.
Recall that President Tinubu is currently on a two-week annual leave in Europe. The President had departed Abuja on Wednesday, October 2, for annual vacation in the UK. On Friday, the President departed UK for Paris, France, after spending nine days in London.
While Nigerians raised concerns over the absence of the President and Kashim Shettima in the country, a statement by Onanuga said “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”
According to Onanuga, the President is expected to return to the country soon before his vacation officially ends.
The statement reads: “Following enquiries by journalists as to who is in charge of our country as the President and Vice President are out of the country, we want to clarify:
“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.
“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.
“The vice president departed the country on 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.
“We had a similar situation in 2022 when former President Buhari and former Vice President Osinbajo were found to be simultaneously out of the country. President Buhari attended UNGA 77, while Osinbajo participated in the burial of Queen Elizabeth ll.
“We have also experienced it during this administration. Between late April and early May this year, while President Tinubu was in London, after visiting the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, where he attended the World Economic Forum, Vice President Shettima left Nigeria, first of all for Nairobi to attend the International Development Association (IDA21) Heads of State Summit. After returning, he left for Dallas, Texas, to attend the US-Africa Business Summit organised by the Corporate Council on Africa. President Tinubu returned home on 8 May. During this time, the government’s machinery did not halt.
“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 fulfil his duties.”
