Presidency Hits Back At Atiku, Obi Over Tinubu’s Authority To Govern

The Presidency has defended President Bola Tinubu’s ability to continue directing the affairs of Nigeria while outside the country, insisting that his constitutional authority is not limited by his physical location.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, made the statement in response to questions raised by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi over who is exercising presidential authority while Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima are both outside Nigeria.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the controversy followed Tinubu’s extended working vacation in Europe and Shettima’s trip to New York to represent Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly. The State House has said Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend after extending his working vacation by a few days.

Bwala argued that the President’s ability to exercise his executive responsibilities does not depend on whether he is physically present in Nigeria. He cited Section 5 of the 1999 Constitution, which vests the executive powers of the Federation in the President and allows those powers to be exercised directly or through the Vice President, ministers and other authorised officials.

He maintained that, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Tinubu could issue directives, delegate responsibilities and continue administering the affairs of the country while abroad.

Bwala also criticised Atiku and Obi over what he described as a lack of a clearly defined alternative approach to governance, arguing that their positions amounted to political rhetoric.

His comments came after Atiku questioned who was constitutionally exercising presidential authority following Tinubu’s continued absence from Nigeria. Atiku specifically referred to Section 145 of the Constitution, which provides for a written declaration by a President proceeding on vacation or otherwise unable to perform his functions, after which the Vice President performs the functions of President as Acting President.

Atiku argued that Nigerians should be informed if such a declaration transferring presidential functions had been made and called for clarification from the Presidency and relevant National Assembly authorities.

The Presidency, however, has maintained that Tinubu remains engaged with affairs of government while abroad. The State House said the President had continued to communicate with officials at home and had issued directives on matters of national importance during his absence.

The Presidency also said Tinubu had delegated Shettima to represent him at some official engagements, including the United Nations General Assembly, while Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume would continue representing the President at other events.

The disagreement has therefore centred on the distinction between the President’s continued exercise of executive powers while abroad and the constitutional procedure governing the formal transfer of presidential functions when the President proceeds on vacation.

With Tinubu expected back in Nigeria at the weekend, the debate over his absence and the interpretation of the constitutional provisions remains a subject of political discussion.