Tinubu Extends Working Vacation, Set to Return as Atiku Questions Presidential Authority

President Bola Tinubu has extended his working vacation by a few days and is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend, the Presidency has announced.

Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London before travelling to Paris, France, where he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré. According to the Presidency, the President has remained in contact with officials at home and continued to direct government affairs while abroad.

The Presidency said Tinubu had issued several directives during his absence, including ordering an independent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Minna, Niger State.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has represented Tinubu at some official engagements but travelled to New York on September 20 to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly. He is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement during the General Debate.

The Presidency said Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, would continue to represent the President at official functions when required. It also maintained that Tinubu remained in charge of the administration while abroad. Special Adviser on Policy Communication Daniel Bwala separately argued that the President’s constitutional powers are not limited by his physical location.

The development has, however, triggered a constitutional debate, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar questioning who is exercising presidential authority while both Tinubu and Shettima are outside Nigeria.

In a statement posted on his verified X account, Atiku referred to Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides for a president proceeding on vacation or otherwise unable to discharge the functions of office to transmit a written declaration to the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives. Atiku said Nigerians had not been shown such a declaration transferring presidential functions to Shettima.

Atiku further argued that the constitutional provision provides a mechanism for the National Assembly where the required declaration is not transmitted within 21 days. He called for the publication of any such communication if it exists, while the Presidency has maintained that Tinubu continues to direct the affairs of government.

The Federal Government has also rejected suggestions that Tinubu’s absence from the UN General Assembly creates a leadership vacuum. Information Minister Mohammed Idris said Shettima was attending the gathering with the President’s full mandate and that his representation was not unusual.

Tinubu’s expected return at the weekend will come after the extension of his European vacation, while the debate over the constitutional arrangements governing presidential authority during an extended absence continues to attract political attention.