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4 clusters · 36 sources · 3 days · First seen · Last updated

Nigeria leadership and presidential absence concerns

Overview

The extension of President Bola Tinubu’s working vacation in Europe has intensified constitutional debates regarding the legality of his absence and the formal transfer of power. While the President met with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré in London and Paris, opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), have questioned whether the administration has complied with Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution. Critics argue that the law requires a written declaration to the Senate President and the House Speaker for vacations, after which the Vice President should assume the role of Acting President. Concerns have been raised that the simultaneous absence of both the President and Vice President Kashim Shettima—who is representing Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York—creates a leadership vacuum. Opponents further contend that a ‘working vacation’ is not a recognized constitutional status. The Presidency, via Special Adviser Bayo Onanuga, has dismissed these criticisms as ‘irresponsible’ and ‘baseless.’ The administration maintains that Tinubu remains in charge and continues to direct national affairs remotely, citing his recent directive for an independent panel to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Niger State as evidence of his ongoing involvement. Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume is also handling various official presidential duties during this period. Senate President Godswill Akpabio has since intervened to dismiss calls for Vice President Shettima to be appointed Acting President. Addressing claims from figures such as Omoyele Sowore that the constitutional 21-day threshold for presidential absence has expired, Akpabio clarified that the President is on a ‘working leave’ and continues to direct the country’s affairs from abroad.

Entities

Kashim Shettima · Bola Tinubu · Nigeria · Atiku Abubakar · Godswill Akpabio

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Coverage disagrees

Sources make claims that cannot both be true. CLSTR reports the disagreement; it does not decide who is right.

  • "Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has questioned the constitutional legality of the President's absence and who is currently exercising authority." gwg.ng · theglittersonline.com.ng · dailytrust.com · nationaldailyng.com · punchng.com · +3 more

    vs

    "There is no vacancy in the presidency because President Tinubu continues to exercise presidential powers from abroad." newscentraltv.com · www.naijanews.com

    Atiku Abubakar questions the legality of the President's absence and the exercise of authority, whereas Akpabio asserts there is no vacancy because the President continues to exercise powers.

  • "There is no vacancy in the presidency because President Tinubu continues to exercise presidential powers from abroad." newscentraltv.com · www.naijanews.com

    vs

    "Omoyele Sowore argued that the 21-day constitutional threshold for the President's absence has passed, necessitating Vice President Kashim Shettima to be appointed Acting President." newscentraltv.com

    Sowore argues that the Vice President must be appointed Acting President due to the President's absence, while Akpabio claims the President is still exercising presidential powers.

Timeline

  1. about 11 hours ago

    [POLITICS] 8 sources
    Nigeria faces constitutional debate over President Tinubu's extended vacation

    President Bola Tinubu's extended working vacation in Europe has sparked constitutional debates in Nigeria over presidential authority and compliance with Section 145 of the constitution.

  2. about 20 hours ago

    [POLITICS] 9 sources
    Godswill Akpabio denies vacancy in Nigerian presidency

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio dismissed calls for an acting presidency, stating President Bola Tinubu remains in power during his working leave abroad. Akpabio also noted a recent pilgrimage to Italy.

  3. 2 days ago

    [POLITICS] 27 sources
    Nigeria's President Tinubu extends European vacation

    President Bola Tinubu has extended his European working vacation and is due back in Nigeria this weekend. The move has prompted constitutional questions from Atiku Abubakar regarding presidential authority.

  4. 3 days ago

    [POLITICS] 9 sources
    Nigeria leadership concerns rise as top officials travel abroad

    Nigeria faces a leadership debate as President Tinubu, VP Shettima, and Senate President Akpabio are all abroad. Concurrently, Akpabio faces political allegations from Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Sources

247ureports.com · ait.live · arise.tv · blueprint.ng · businessday.ng · dailytrust.com · dailytrust.com.ng · encomium.ng · gistmania.com · gistreel.com · gwg.ng · insidebusiness.ng · matazarising.com · naijanews.com · nairametrics.com · nationalaccordnewspaper.com · nationaldailyng.com · newscentral.africa · newsnowonline.com.ng · newtelegraphng.com · nigerianeye.com · phenomenal.com.ng · premiumtimesng.com · punchng.com · radarr.africa · realnewsmagazine.net · spiceradiong.com · tgnews.com.ng · thecapital.ng · thecitizenng.com · theglittersonline.com.ng · thewhistler.ng · thisdaylive.com · tribuneonlineng.com · von.gov.ng · worldstagenews.com

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history