Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed concerns over President Bola Tinubu’s continued absence from Nigeria, insisting that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock and that the President remains in charge of the country’s affairs.
Akpabio spoke on Tuesday in Akwa Ibom State while inaugurating road projects executed by Governor Umo Eno. His comments came amid renewed debate over Tinubu’s extended working vacation abroad and the simultaneous absence of Vice President Kashim Shettima, who is attending the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The Senate President said Tinubu’s physical absence from the country should not be interpreted as a transfer of presidential authority or a leadership vacuum.
“I am not the acting president, because the president is still in power. The president is on a working leave. So, there’s no absence in Aso Rock,” Akpabio said.
He argued that Tinubu could continue to discharge his responsibilities from abroad through modern communication technology, including issuing directives and conducting government business remotely.
“What he cannot do here, he is doing abroad. The world has become a global village; you can give instructions from the internet about anything, so why are people complaining?” he said.
Akpabio also cited Tinubu’s recent engagements abroad, including his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, as evidence that the President remained involved in official matters.
“The other day, he was with President Macron on a state visit, discussing bilateral to bring things back to Nigeria,” he said.
Addressing concerns over the President’s absence from the United Nations General Assembly, Akpabio noted that Shettima had travelled to New York to represent Nigeria at the gathering.
“And then, because he could not make it to UNGA, the United Nations General Assembly, his vice-president went,” he said.
The Senate President further maintained that there was no presidential vacancy, saying his position as chairman of the National Assembly placed him in a position to speak on the issue.
“There’s no vacancy; people who are talking are just talking. I’m the only person as chairman of national assembly that can speak the voice of national assembly and say there is vacancy and there will be vacancy,” he said.
“Right now, there is no vacancy. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is still in power and is still running the affairs of Nigeria.”
Akpabio’s remarks come as political groups and other Nigerians continue to debate the constitutional implications of Tinubu’s prolonged absence and whether presidential powers should formally be transferred to the Vice President.
The Senate President, however, maintained that Tinubu’s absence from Nigeria does not amount to an absence from office, arguing that the President can continue to direct the affairs of government remotely.
