The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council has demanded clarification from the Presidency over President Bola Tinubu’s continued absence from Nigeria, six days after the expiration of his originally announced three-week vacation.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the ADC PCC said President Tinubu had yet to return to Nigeria as of 27 September, after his vacation was initially expected to end on 21 September.
President Tinubu left Nigeria for London, United Kingdom, on 30 August before travelling to Paris, France, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
During his absence, Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented him at several official engagements before travelling to New York on 20 September for the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The President was subsequently expected to return to Nigeria during the weekend, but reports on Sunday indicated that his return had been delayed until Tuesday.
ADC demands explanation
The ADC urged the Presidency to provide Nigerians with clear and verifiable information about the President’s current location, why his stay abroad was extended and the constitutional arrangements governing the country during his absence.
Mr Ologbondiyan said the President’s continued absence had generated questions because the original duration of the vacation had already elapsed.
“The Presidency owes Nigerians a clear and transparent explanation,” the ADC Presidential Campaign Council said.
The party added that Nigerians were entitled to know “where their President is and, more importantly, who is exercising presidential authority while he remains outside the country.”
The ADC argued that the issue was particularly significant given Nigeria’s economic pressures, hardship and security challenges.
“The country cannot afford uncertainty at the highest level of government,” the party stated.
Questions over constitutional arrangements
The opposition party also questioned the constitutional basis for the current arrangement, particularly following reports that Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, had continued to represent President Tinubu at official functions.
The ADC said such representation did not answer what it described as the fundamental question of who was constitutionally and effectively in charge of the country while the President remained abroad.
“The Presidency must also clarify the status of the President’s vacation and explain the constitutional basis for the current arrangement, particularly where the President remains away from the country beyond the period earlier communicated to Nigerians,” the party said.
It maintained that presidential movements and the exercise of executive authority were matters of public interest and called for openness rather than secrecy.
The ADC warned that continued silence could fuel public anxiety and speculation.
Presidency defends Tinubu
The Presidency, however, has maintained that President Tinubu is “hale and hearty” and remains engaged with official duties while on his annual vacation.
In a statement issued by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, on Sunday, the Presidency said Tinubu was “perfectly entitled” to take a working vacation.
Mr Onanuga argued that technological advances meant the President did not have to be physically present in Abuja to perform his responsibilities.
“In this digital age, he does not need to be physically present in Abuja to do the work for which he was elected in 2023,” the Presidency said.
It also cited President Tinubu’s meetings with investors in France and his involvement in the proposed $7bn deep-sea port project in Ogun Waterside as examples of activities undertaken while abroad.
Shettima represents Nigeria at UNGA
The Presidency also defended President Tinubu’s absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
It noted that other African leaders, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, were also absent from the UNGA.
The Presidency said President Tinubu had announced his annual vacation and delegated Nigeria’s representation to Vice-President Kashim Shettima.
Mr Onanuga also criticised former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi for questioning the President’s whereabouts, saying Tinubu was expected to return to Nigeria this week ahead of the country’s 66th Independence anniversary.
Return expected this week
According to the Presidency, President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria this week.
The President is also expected to attend the premiere of a movie about the late businessman and democracy campaigner, MKO Abiola, in Lagos.
The controversy over his prolonged stay abroad has continued to generate political debate, with the ADC calling for further clarification while the Presidency maintains that the President remains engaged in his official responsibilities.
At the centre of the controversy is not simply the President’s absence from Nigeria, but questions raised by the opposition over how presidential authority is being exercised during the extended stay abroad.
The Presidency maintains that President Tinubu remains in charge and can continue performing his duties remotely, while the ADC is asking for greater public clarity about the extension of the vacation and the constitutional arrangements governing presidential authority.
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