The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s prolonged stay in France, asking what is keeping the President abroad beyond the period initially announced for his vacation.
Atiku raised the issue through a statement by his media aide, questioning why Tinubu remained in Paris after the Presidency’s initially announced three-week vacation had elapsed. The Presidency had announced that Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for a working vacation and later said his stay abroad had been extended by a few days.
Atiku also referred to Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, arguing that the provision requires a President proceeding on vacation to transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. He further cited the provision concerning the National Assembly’s role where such a declaration is not transmitted within 21 days.
“The obvious question is: what exactly is keeping the President of Nigeria in Paris? So where is the letter? If it was transmitted, let the Presidency, Senate President or Speaker publish it.
“If no letter was transmitted, Nigerians deserve to know why the constitutional procedure has not been followed. We do not want to believe insinuations that the inner circle of Tinubu are scared of Shettima being handed the Acting President authority.
“Former President Muhammadu Buhari transferred presidential functions to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on five occasions occasions during his tenure, including through formal Section 145 communications to the National Assembly,” he said.
Atiku also compared Tinubu’s stay in France with the activities of French President Emmanuel Macron, while questioning the continued absence of Nigeria’s President amid security and economic challenges.
The issue has generated a wider constitutional debate over the application of Section 145. The Presidency has maintained that Tinubu remained in charge of government while abroad and continued directing the affairs of the country.
Reports on September 25 indicated that Tinubu was expected to return to Nigeria on Sunday, September 27, following the extension of his stay abroad.
