# Nigeria leadership and presidential absence concerns > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/nigerian-leadership-and-presidential-absence-concerns > Updated: 2026-09-22T17:28:56.000Z. Sources: 36. Developments: 4. 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. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has characterized the absence as an ‘unacceptable abdication’ of mandate. The ADC further described the situation as a ‘dangerous disregard for the nation’s constitution.’ The Presidency, via Special Adviser Bayo Onanuga, has dismissed these criticisms as ‘irresponsible’ and ‘baseless,’ maintaining that Tinubu remains in charge and continues to direct national affairs remotely. Senate President Godswill Akpabio has intervened to dismiss calls for Vice President Shettima to be appointed Acting President, rejecting 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 that there is no vacancy in the presidency. Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria this weekend. ## Claims - Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has questioned the constitutional legality of the President's absence and who is currently exercising authority. (disputed by 8 sources) - There is no vacancy in the presidency because President Tinubu continues to exercise presidential powers from abroad. (disputed by 2 sources) - 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. (disputed) - President Bola Tinubu has extended his working vacation in Europe and is expected to return to Nigeria this weekend. (corroborated by 18 sources) - While on vacation, President Tinubu ordered an independent panel to investigate the deaths of 37 illegal miners in Minna. (corroborated by 14 sources) - Vice President Kashim Shettima is representing Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly and will deliver the national statement. (corroborated by 12 sources) - The Presidency dismissed Atiku Abubakar's criticisms regarding the President's absence and non-attendance at the UN General Assembly as irresponsible. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Senate President Godswill Akpabio traveled to Italy for a spiritual pilgrimage to pray for Nigeria's security and the 2027 elections. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-22: Nigeria President Tinubu extends vacation amid constitutional debate President Bola Tinubu’s extended European vacation has triggered a constitutional debate in Nigeria over presidential authority and the legal requirements for appointing an Acting President. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-faces-constitutional-debate-over-president-tinubus-extended-vacation ### 2026-09-22: 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. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/godswill-akpabio-denies-vacancy-in-nigerian-presidency ### 2026-09-20: 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. 28 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/president-tinubu-extends-working-vacation-to-return-to-nigeria-this-weekend ### 2026-09-19: 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. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/godswill-akpabio-and-natasha-akpoti-uduaghan-silent-over-activist-allegations --- Cite as: Nigeria leadership and presidential absence concerns. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/nigerian-leadership-and-presidential-absence-concerns