By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The presidency has said President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima have not committed any offence for being out of the country at the same time.
About two weeks ago, Mr Tinubu left Nigeria for the United Kingdom on a two-week working vacation, according to a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga.
He has yet to return to the country as he left the UK a few days ago to go to France.
On Wednesday, Mr Shettima left Nigeria for Sweden, sparking talks that the absence of the duo has created a vacuum in leadership.
But Mr Onanuga disagrees, as he said in a statement yesterday that the absence of the President and his Vice was nothing new as it also happened in 2022 under the immediate past administration of Mr Muhammadu Buhari.
“It is important to note that the President and Vice President are fully engaged with the nation’s affairs, even while they are away. There is no leadership vacuum in the country.
“President Tinubu left the country on October 3 and is on a two-week working vacation. During this time, he has been busy answering phones and issuing directives on matters of state. He will soon return to the country before the vacation officially expires.
“The vice president departed the country Wednesday for Sweden on an official visit, working for Nigeria.
“All state organs are functioning as usual. The Senate President, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ministers, and Service Chiefs are all in their respective positions, ensuring the smooth operation of the government.
“We had a similar situation in 2022 when former President Buhari and former Vice President Osinbajo were found to be simultaneously out of the country. President Buhari attended UNGA 77, while Osinbajo participated in the burial of Queen Elizabeth ll.
“We have also experienced it during this administration. Between late April and early May this year, while President Tinubu was in London, after visiting the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, where he attended the World Economic Forum, Vice President Shettima left Nigeria, first of all for Nairobi to attend the International Development Association (IDA21) Heads of State Summit. After returning, he left for Dallas, Texas, to attend the US-Africa Business Summit organised by the Corporate Council on Africa. President Tinubu returned home on 8 May. During this time, the government’s machinery did not halt.
“The Constitution, a testament to our adaptability in the virtual age, does not explicitly require the physical presence of either the president or the vice president in the country at all times to fulfil his duties,” the statement from Mr Onanuga on Wednesday said.