The Presidency has said President Bola Tinubu can continue to govern Nigeria from anywhere in the world, insisting that the President’s constitutional powers are not restricted by his physical location.
The Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, made the clarification on Monday in a post on X while responding to questions from opposition figures over the absence of both Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima from Nigeria.
Bwala argued that the President could continue to exercise his constitutional responsibilities while outside the country, including issuing directives, delegating responsibilities and performing his duties as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
“It is funny how opposition candidates are asking the question who is in charge of Nigeria simply because the President and Vice President are out of the country,” Bwala said.
He added that the President’s ability to administer the affairs of Nigeria was not limited by geography.
The statement followed questions raised by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar concerning the President’s continued absence from Nigeria. Atiku asked whether Tinubu had transmitted a written declaration to the leadership of the National Assembly in accordance with Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution.
Section 145 provides that when the President proceeds on vacation or is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office, he is to transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives stating that he is proceeding on vacation or otherwise unable to perform his functions.
The Presidency has maintained that Tinubu remains in charge of government affairs despite his absence from the country.
The State House announced on Monday that the President had extended his working vacation in Europe by a few days and was expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend. The Presidency did not disclose the specific date of his return.
Tinubu initially left Nigeria on August 30 for a three-week annual leave. During his stay in Europe, the President has also undertaken official engagements, including meetings in France.
Meanwhile, Vice President Shettima travelled to New York on Sunday to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly. His participation means both the President and Vice President are currently outside Nigeria.
The Presidency has nevertheless continued to emphasise that the President remains actively involved in the administration of the country.
The latest development has generated a debate over the constitutional implications of presidential absence from Nigeria, particularly regarding the formal procedure for transferring presidential functions when the President is unable to discharge them.
The Presidency’s position is that Tinubu remains capable of performing his duties remotely and that his physical presence within Nigeria is not a prerequisite for exercising presidential powers.
The constitutional question raised by Atiku, however, centres specifically on whether the circumstances of the President’s absence require a written declaration under Section 145.
The issue has not been resolved by the latest statements from either side, leaving the interpretation and application of the constitutional provision as a matter of legal and political debate.
For now, the Presidency says Tinubu remains in charge of the Federal Government and is expected back in Nigeria at the weekend.
