Tinubu’s Absence: Akpabio, ADC Clash Over Power Transfer

Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the African Democratic Congress ( ADC), have disagreed over the constitutional implications of President Bola Tinubu’s prolonged absence from Nigeria.

Speaking in Akwa Ibom, Akpabio said Tinubu remained in charge and was directing government affairs from abroad.

“There is no vacancy. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is still in power, and he is still running the affairs of Nigeria,” he said.

Akpabio also rejected suggestions that he was acting president, describing Tinubu’s absence as a working leave and saying technology allowed the President to govern from anywhere.

But the ADC demanded clarification on whether Tinubu had complied with Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, which requires a president who is on vacation or unable to perform his duties to transmit a written declaration to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 and had now been away for more than 21 days.

It questioned whether the required declaration had been transmitted and criticised the Presidency’s claim that Tinubu was governing from abroad.

“Representation is not governance. Attendance at official functions is not presidential authority,” the ADC said.

Tinubu’s three-week working vacation in Europe was extended beyond September 20, with the Presidency saying he would return at the weekend.

The development has renewed debate over the exercise of presidential powers, with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar also questioning the constitutional basis for Tinubu’s continued absence.