By John Owen Nwachukwu The Presidency has named the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, Secretary to the Government of the Fe...
By John Owen Nwachukwu
The Presidency has named the President of the Senate,
Godswill Akpabio, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, AGF George
Akume and the Ministers as those in charge of the country’s leadership in the
absence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima
DAILY POST reports that both the President and Vice
President are currently abroad and the presidency is insisting that leadership
remains steady and there is no vacuum in the country.
There have been enquiries by journalists and well-meaning
individuals as to who is in charge of the country in the absence of the first
and second citizens.
The Presidency, in a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga,
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, recalled a
similar situation during the immediate past administration of President
Muhammadu Buhari.
According to the statement: “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.”
DAILY POST reports that Tinubu left the country on October 3
and is on a two-week working vacation while 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,” the statement said.
“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 II.
“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.”
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