Atiku Questions Tinubu’s 21-Day Absence as Presidency Extends Vacation
Atiku Abubakar, the 2027 presidential candidate for the ADC, has criticized President Bola Tinubu over his 21-day absence from Nigeria, citing Section 145 of the Constitution. Atiku highlighted the lack of a formal transmission of presidential authority to Vice President Kashim Shettima, despite constitutional requirements for such a declaration during presidential vacations.
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakarhas questioned the constitutional status of President Bola Tinubu’s prolonged absence from Nigeria, asking, “Who is in charge of Nigeria?” Atiku, in a statement issued after Tinubu’s three-week vacation elapsed, cited Section 145 of the Nigerian Constitution, which provides for a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives when the President proceeds on vacation, after which the Vice President performs presidential functions as Acting President.
He argued that more than 21 days after Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30, Nigerians had not been shown any letter transmitting presidential authority to Vice President Kashim Shettima. Atiku further argued that Section 145 provides a mechanism for the National Assembly to mandate the Vice President to perform the functions of President as Acting President if the required declaration is not transmitted within 21 days.
His comments came as the Presidency announced on September 21 that Tinubu had extended his working vacation by a few days and was expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend. The Presidency said Tinubu had remained in touch with developments at home and continued directing government affairs. Meanwhile, Shettima has represented him at some official functions, including the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for what the Presidency initially described as a three-week annual vacation, travelling first to London before moving to Paris, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré. The Presidency said the President had continued to issue directives while abroad, including ordering an independent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Minna, and maintained that there was no legal breach arising from his absence.
The dispute therefore centres on Atiku’s interpretation and demand for disclosure under Section 145 versus the Presidency’s position that Tinubu has remained in charge and has continued directing the affairs of government while abroad.