By Unity Times Political Desk
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to extend his working vacation in France by several days has triggered a fresh constitutional and political debate over presidential absence, the transfer of executive authority and the role of Vice-President Kashim Shettima.
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The Presidency announced that Tinubu, who left Nigeria on August 30 for a working vacation that took him first to London and subsequently to Paris, would return to Nigeria at the weekend. During his stay in France, the President held engagements with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
But the extension of the President’s stay abroad has generated questions from opposition figures and political groups about whether a formal declaration transferring presidential powers to the Vice-President was required.
The controversy has become particularly sensitive because Shettima is himself outside Nigeria, where he is leading Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
What does the Constitution say?
At the centre of the debate is Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides a mechanism for the President to transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives when proceeding on vacation or otherwise unable to discharge his functions.
The provision becomes politically significant whenever a President spends an extended period outside the country without a publicly announced transfer of executive authority.
Opposition voices have argued that the present circumstances deserve greater constitutional clarity.
However, the Presidency maintains that Tinubu has remained engaged in government and has continued to direct affairs from abroad.
The administration has also pointed to the fact that Shettima has been performing official functions on behalf of the President.
‘No vacuum in Aso Rock’ — Akpabio
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has rejected suggestions that Tinubu’s absence has created a leadership vacuum.
Akpabio declared that there was “no vacuum in Aso Rock”, insisting that the administration continues to function and that constitutional responsibilities are being discharged.
The statement seeks to calm concerns that the simultaneous absence of the President and Vice-President from Nigeria could create uncertainty over executive authority.
The Presidency has similarly said that Tinubu has remained in touch with developments at home and continues to direct government business.
Shettima at the United Nations
While the political debate continues at home, Shettima is representing Nigeria at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York.
The Federal Government said Tinubu specifically mandated the Vice-President to lead the Nigerian delegation and deliver Nigeria’s national statement.
Shettima is expected to address issues involving international development, peace and security, global financial architecture, climate finance, technology and Africa’s representation in global institutions.
The UNGA runs from September 22 to 28, 2026, under the theme “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
For Nigeria, the episode highlights a broader question that goes beyond the current administration: how should presidential travel, delegation of authority and continuity of government be handled in an era where the President can remain physically outside the country while directing government electronically?
That question may become increasingly important as Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections, when constitutional questions surrounding executive authority are likely to attract even greater political scrutiny.
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