Tinubu’s absence: No vacuum in Aso Rock, no constitutional breach — Arewa group

The Convener of the Arewa Think Tank, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, has dismissed concerns over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s continued stay abroad, insisting that there is neither a leadership vacuum nor a constitutional breach.

Yakubu said those questioning the President’s absence were ignoring the realities of modern governance, stressing that Tinubu remained in charge of the country and continued to perform his presidential duties while on his working vacation.

“There is no vacuum and the President has not breached any constitutional provision. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is still the President, he is still in charge, and he is still running the affairs of this country,” Yakubu declared.

Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for a three-week annual leave in Europe, initially announced by the Presidency as a vacation, with London as his first destination.

The Presidency subsequently described the trip as a working vacation. On September 21, the State House announced that the President had extended his stay by a few days and would return to Nigeria at the weekend.

According to Yakubu, the President’s engagements while abroad demonstrate that he has remained active in the discharge of his responsibilities.

He cited Tinubu’s recent engagements in Paris, including his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and discussions with businessman Vincent Bolloré on investment and Nigeria’s creative and digital economy.

The State House confirmed that Tinubu met Bolloré in Paris on September 18, while the Presidency also said the French President received Tinubu for a private dinner.

Yakubu said the engagements showed that the President was not merely away on a private holiday but remained involved in matters of state.

“Nigeria has become part of the global village. You can give instructions even from the internet. The President is in constant contact with his officials, service chiefs and ministers. The government is running smoothly,” he said.

The Arewa Think Tank leader also pointed to the position attributed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio on the question of presidential authority during Tinubu’s absence.

Akpabio was quoted as saying: “I am not the acting President. Because the President is still in power. The President is on a working leave. So, there is no absence in Aso Rock. What he cannot do here, he is doing abroad.”

Yakubu argued that the position settled what he described as unnecessary speculation about who was exercising presidential authority.

“As the Chairman of the National Assembly has said, there is no vacancy. People who are talking are just talking. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is still in power, and he is still running the affairs of Nigeria,” he said.

He also defended Tinubu’s decision to delegate Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent Nigeria at international engagements, describing the arrangement as evidence of coordination within the Presidency.

The Presidency has confirmed that Shettima is leading Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York and is scheduled to present Nigeria’s national statement.

Yakubu further rejected arguments that Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution had been triggered by Tinubu’s absence.

“President Tinubu is able, capable, and is performing his functions. He has not transmitted any inability. Therefore, there is no constitutional crisis. The Vice President is performing his assigned role with the full mandate of his principal,” he stated.

The debate over the President’s absence intensified after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar questioned the implications of Tinubu being outside the country while Vice President Shettima was also away on official engagements.

Some commentators have similarly raised questions about continuity of government in an emergency.

The Presidency, however, has maintained that Tinubu has remained in contact with officials and continued to direct government affairs from abroad.

It said the President had, among other things, directed an independent investigation into the reported deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Niger State while on his working vacation.

Yakubu urged Nigerians, particularly those in the northern part of the country, to disregard what he described as attempts to create unnecessary tension over the President’s absence.

“The President will return and continue his good work. For now, there is no vacuum, there is no breach, and Nigeria is in safe hands,” he stated.