The Presidency has assured the public that there is no leadership vacuum in Nigeria, despite President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashimu Shettima being out of the country.
Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, issued a statement on Wednesday addressing media inquiries regarding the governance of the nation during their absence.
Onanuga emphasized, “It is crucial to understand that both the President and Vice President remain actively engaged in national matters, even while abroad. There is no leadership void.”
He noted that President Tinubu left for a two-week working vacation on October 3, during which he has been in constant communication and issuing directives related to state affairs. “He will return before the conclusion of his vacation,” Onanuga added.
The Vice President departed for Sweden on Wednesday for an official engagement, and Onanuga confirmed that all governmental operations continue without interruption.
“The Senate President, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ministers, and Service Chiefs are all effectively performing their duties to ensure seamless government operations,” he stated.
Onanuga recalled a similar scenario in 2022 when former President Buhari and former Vice President Osinbajo were both out of the country simultaneously. Buhari attended the UN General Assembly, while Osinbajo was present for the burial of Queen Elizabeth II.
He also mentioned that a comparable situation occurred earlier in this administration, between late April and early May, when Tinubu was in London after visits to the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia for the World Economic Forum, while Shettima was in Nairobi for the International Development Association (IDA21) Heads of State Summit.
“Following his return, Shettima attended the US-Africa Business Summit in Dallas, Texas. Throughout this period, the government operations continued without disruption,” Onanuga affirmed.
He concluded by stating that “the Constitution, a testament to our adaptability in the digital age, does not require the physical presence of either the President or Vice President at all times to fulfill their responsibilities.”
