STATE HOUSE CLARIFIES THAT THE PHYSICAL ABSENCE OF PRESIDENT TINUBU AND VICE PRESIDENT SHETTIMA DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEADERSHIP VACUUM 16-10-24
By Sadiq Aminu The State House has clarified that the physical absence of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima in the country does not constitute leadership vacuum.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, argues that though they are abroad simultaneously, both are fully engaged with the nation’s affairs.
The statement further argues that the nation’s Constitution, which according to it, is a testament to the country’s 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 their duties.
It states that President Tinubu, who will return to the country before the vacation officially expires, left the country on 3 October on a two-week working vacation, during which he has been busy answering phones and issuing directives on matters of State.
The Vice President, on the hand, departed the country on Wednesday for Sweden on an official visit, working for Nigeria.
It explains that all State organs are as usual, with the 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 makes reference to a similar situation in 2022, when former President Buhari and former Vice President Osinbajo were found to be simultaneously out of the country.
It says while President Buhari attended UNGA 77, Vice President Osinbajo participated in the burial of Queen Elizabeth ll.
It notes that this administration also had experienced similar situation between late April and early May this year, when President Tinubu went to London, after visiting the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, where he attended the World Economic Forum, while Vice President Shettima left Nigeria, for Nairobi to attend the International Development Association’s Heads of State Summit and after returning, left for Dallas, Texas, to attend the US-Africa Business Summit organised by the Corporate Council on Africa.
It recalls that the President returned home on 8 May, stressing that during those periods, Government’s machinery did not halt.