The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has questioned who is currently exercising the constitutional powers of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as both the President and Vice-President Kashim Shettima remain outside Nigeria.
The opposition party raised the concern in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Tuesday.
According to the ADC, Tinubu has been outside the country since August 30, a period it said had exceeded the 21-day timeframe referenced in Section 145 of the Nigerian Constitution.
The party asked whether Tinubu had formally transmitted a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to enable another official to exercise presidential functions during his absence.
“President Tinubu left Nigeria on 30 August and has now been away for more than 21 days. We therefore demand to know whether the required declaration was transmitted by the President,” the ADC said.
The party also questioned the role of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, who has represented Tinubu at some official engagements during the President’s absence.
The ADC argued that representing the President at events or delivering speeches on his behalf does not amount to exercising the constitutional powers of the President.
It said the SGF, as a presidential appointee, could not automatically assume the powers of the President or Acting President simply because he was representing Tinubu at official functions.
The opposition party further rejected the description of Tinubu’s trip as a “working vacation,” arguing that such a description does not alter the constitutional requirements governing presidential absence.
According to the ADC, the simultaneous absence of Tinubu and Shettima is particularly concerning given the challenges facing the country, including insecurity, unemployment and rising living costs.
The party also criticised Tinubu’s continued stay in Paris, France, while French President Emmanuel Macron was in New York for the United Nations General Assembly.
The ADC said the situation raised questions about Nigeria’s representation and leadership at a time when world leaders were attending the UN General Assembly to advance their countries’ interests.
The party therefore called on the Presidency and the National Assembly to clarify who is currently exercising the constitutional powers of the Nigerian President and under what provision of the Constitution.
The ADC asked: “Who presently exercises the constitutional powers of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and under what provision of the Constitution?”
READ ALSO:
- Milei Slams UN as ‘Useless Organisation’ Filled with ‘Arrogant Parasites
- Airtel Money Plans London Stock Exchange IPO
- Ship owners task Dangote, others on cargo deals for indigenous shipping
- Judge Rules Trump’s Press Ban Violated Due Process, Orders Reporters Reinstate
- ADC Questions Presidential Authority as Tinubu, Shettima Remain Abroad
