FG Reveals Those Running The County As Tinubu, Shettima Remain Abroad

The Presidency has appointed the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, AGF George Akume, and the Ministers to oversee the country’s leadership while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima are away.

According to DAILY POST, both leaders are currently out of the country, but the presidency assures that there is no leadership vacuum and that governance remains stable.

Journalists and concerned citizens have been inquiring about who is in charge during the absence of the President and Vice President.

In a statement from Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the presidency referenced a similar scenario during the previous administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The statement emphasized, “It is crucial to understand that the President and Vice President are actively involved in national matters, even while abroad. There is no leadership void in the country.”

DAILY POST notes that Tinubu left for a two-week working vacation on October 3, while the Vice President traveled to Sweden on Wednesday for an official engagement on behalf of Nigeria.

“All state institutions are operating normally. The Senate President, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, ministers, and service chiefs are all fulfilling their roles to ensure the government runs smoothly,” the statement added.

The statement also recalled a similar situation in 2022 when former President Buhari and former Vice President Osinbajo were both out of the country at the same time. Buhari attended the UN General Assembly, while Osinbajo was at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.

The administration has faced similar circumstances this year when President Tinubu was in London after visiting the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia for the World Economic Forum, while Vice President Shettima attended the International Development Association Heads of State Summit in Nairobi and later the US-Africa Business Summit in Dallas, Texas. President Tinubu returned on May 8, and during their absence, government operations continued without interruption.

The Constitution allows for flexibility in the virtual age and does not require the President or Vice President to be physically present in the country at all times to perform their duties.