If not for a sudden change of plans, both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima would have found themselves out of the country simultaneously, potentially vacating the Aso Rock seat of power.
There have been concerns about Tinubu’s whereabouts a week after his official trip to Saudi Arabia for the special World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting, especially given the absence of news on his return to Nigeria since the WEF meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which concluded on April 29, 2024.
Prior to the WEF summit, Tinubu had traveled to the Netherlands at the invitation of the country’s Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, on April 23, 2024.
During his visit, President Tinubu participated in high-level discussions with the Prime Minister and held separate meetings with His Royal Majesty, King Willem-Alexander, and Queen Maxima of the Kingdom.
As Nigerians continue to grapple with Tinubu’s absence, Vice President Kashim Shettima had plans to fly out to Dallas, United States of America, to represent the president at the 2024 US-Africa Business Summit hosted by the Corporate Council on Africa.
The summit, featuring high-level dialogues, networking business sessions, and plenary sessions, was scheduled to take place at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas.
However, in a last-minute decision, the Vice President canceled his trip, citing a malfunctioning aircraft.
Adeyanju criticizes Tinubu’s absence
Deji Adeyanju, a popular rights activist and lawyer, expressed concern over Tinubu’s absence, alleging that the Nigerian Government was being irresponsible in handling the situation.
According to Adeyanju, the uncertain whereabouts of the president and the canceled trip by the Vice President are signs of disregard for Nigerians.
He emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in governance, criticizing the government for its lack of communication regarding Tinubu’s status.
National Assembly’s silence on Tinubu’s absence
Adeyanju also criticized the National Assembly for not exercising its role of checks and balances effectively, allowing a leadership vacuum to emerge in the government.
He lamented the diminished role of the National Assembly, suggesting that it had become subservient to the Chief of Staff in the Presidency, and highlighting the need for a functional legislature in the country.
Government’s vacuum and constitutional implications
Another rights activist lawyer, Madubuachi Idam, raised concerns about a potential constitutional crisis if both Tinubu and Shettima were absent simultaneously.
He stressed the importance of adherence to constitutional provisions and the need for responsible governance to avoid such lapses in leadership.
Idam pointed out that the absence of both the president and the vice president at the same time could lead to constitutional challenges and even impeachment proceedings.
Tinubu’s ability to govern remotely
Despite the controversies surrounding Tinubu’s absence, former spokesman Daniel Bwala suggested that the President could effectively govern the country from anywhere in the world, emphasizing the flexibility provided by the Nigerian constitution in such matters.
Bwala highlighted that the Presidential Villa is not confined to a physical location, and under the constitution, the President has the authority to govern regardless of his or the Vice President’s location.