No vacuum, President, VP functioning from abroad, says Bayo Onanuga

The Presidency has allayed fears of a leadership vacuum despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima being abroad.

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

Tinubu left Nigeria on October 3 for a two-week working vacation.

Shettima departed for Sweden on Wednesday for an official visit, representing Nigeria’s interests.

In a statement on Wednesday, Onanuga emphasised that 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 highlighted that this is not an unprecedented situation, as similar instances occurred in 2022 and 2024 with no disruption to governance.

He also pointed out that the Constitution does not require the physical presence of the President or Vice President to fulfill their duties, allowing for seamless continuity.

The Presidency cited previous instances where the President and Vice President were simultaneously abroad, including in 2022 when former President Buhari attended the United Nations General Assembly while former Vice President 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.

“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 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,” the statement reads.