Tinubu Abroad: Presidency Explains Who Is Running Nigeria

• Presidential adviser Daniel Bwala has said President Bola Tinubu can continue to exercise his presidential responsibilities while outside Nigeria, following questions from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over who is currently exercising presidential authority.

The Presidency has said President Bola Tinubu can continue to govern Nigeria while outside the country, following questions from opposition figures over the absence of both the President and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, made the statement in a post on X on Monday, arguing that the President’s constitutional powers are not restricted by his physical location.

“It is funny how opposition candidates are asking the question who is in charge of Nigeria simply because the President and Vice President are out of the country,” Bwala wrote.

He maintained that Tinubu could continue to exercise presidential powers even while abroad.

“For avoidance of doubt, the power of the President to govern Nigeria is not limited to geography,” Bwala said.

“As commander in chief of the armed forces, he can order, direct, delegate and/or administer the constitution of Nigeria anywhere in the world,” he added.

Bwala’s comments came amid renewed questions about the President’s absence from Nigeria and the constitutional arrangements governing presidential authority when the President is away from the country.

Atiku Questions Presidential Authority

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had earlier questioned who was exercising presidential authority following Tinubu’s extended stay abroad.

In a statement titled “Who is in charge of Nigeria?”, Atiku referred to Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, which deals with the President’s inability to discharge the functions of office.

Atiku asked whether Tinubu had transmitted a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives before leaving the country.

Section 145 provides for a written declaration when the President proceeds on vacation or is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office. It further provides for the Vice President to perform the functions of the President as Acting President under the circumstances specified in the Constitution.

Atiku argued that Nigerians should be told whether such a declaration was transmitted and, if so, what constitutional arrangement currently applies.

Presidency Says Tinubu Remains in Charge

The Presidency has maintained that Tinubu has continued to direct the affairs of government while abroad.

The latest position comes as Tinubu’s working vacation in Europe has been extended by a few days. The Presidency announced on Monday that the President is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend.

Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for London before travelling to Paris, France, where he held engagements including a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.

According to the Presidency, Tinubu has remained in contact with developments in Nigeria and continued to issue directives while away.

The Presidency also said Vice President Shettima had been delegated to represent Tinubu at some official engagements.

However, Shettima travelled to New York on September 20 to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where he is representing Nigeria and is expected to present the country’s national statement.

The Presidency said Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, would continue to represent the President at some official events while both Tinubu and Shettima are outside the country.

Dispute Centres on Section 145

The disagreement between the two sides centres largely on the interpretation and application of Section 145 of the Constitution.

Atiku has questioned whether the procedure under the section was followed before Tinubu left Nigeria, while Bwala has maintained that the President’s ability to exercise his powers is not geographically restricted.

Atiku’s position and questions about the constitutional procedure have been reported by Channels Television, while the Presidency’s position that Tinubu continues to direct government affairs from abroad has also been publicly stated.

The development comes as Tinubu prepares to return to Nigeria at the weekend following the extension of his working vacation.