Despite Tinubu, Shettima’s Absence, Presidency Says No Leadership Vacuum

There is no leadership vacuum despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima being out of the country, the Presidency said yesterday.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the President and Vice President remain fully engaged with the nation’s affairs while abroad.

President Tinubu on October 3 travelled for a two-week working vacation; Vice President Shettima departed for Sweden yesterday for an official visit.

Onanuga said all state organs are functioning normally, with the Senate President, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, ministers, and Service chiefs carrying out their duties as usual.

He stressed that this is not an unprecedented situation, as similar instances occurred in 2022 and earlier this year, with no disruption to governance.

He said in 2022 former President Muhammadu Buhari attended the United Nations General Assembly while former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo attended Queen Elizabeth II’s burial.

“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.

“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,” Onanuga said in a statement.