Is Akpabio Nigeria’s Acting President Amid Tinubu, Shettima’s Absence? SP Speaks Out
- Senate President Godswill Akpabio addressed growing questions over who is running Nigeria while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is abroad
- Akpabio insisted that Tinubu has continued to direct government business from outside Nigeria, pointing to a recent meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron
- The remarks came amid a constitutional debate sparked by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution
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Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over nine years of experience covering politics, elections, public affairs, and governance in Nigeria and Africa.
FCT, Abuja - Senate President (SP) Godswill Akpabio has firmly rejected calls for President Bola Tinubu to hand over power to Vice President Kashim Shettima, saying there is no vacancy in the Nigerian presidency.
Legit.ng reports that Akpabio made the remarks on Tuesday, September 22, in Akwa Ibom State, responding to mounting public debate over whether presidential authority is being properly exercised during Tinubu's extended stay abroad.
Source: UGC
Akpabio said:
"I am the Senate President and not the acting President of Nigeria because President Tinubu is still in power. He's on a working leave, and there's no absence in Aso Rock."
He pointed to Tinubu's recent engagement with French President Emmanuel Macron as evidence that the president has remained active on official duties.
"He was with French President Macron the other day. I am the only person who can declare a vacancy and there will be vacancy. Right now, there is no vacancy," Akpabio added.
Furthermore, the Senate President argued that geography does not prevent the president from governing.
"Asiwaju Tinubu is still in power, and he's still running the affairs of Nigeria. The world is a global village, you can give instructions from the internet. So why are people complaining?" he asked.
Tinubu's extended stay abroad
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London before proceeding to Paris. The presidency said on Monday, September 21, that his working vacation had been extended by a few more days and that he was expected back home at the weekend. During his time in Paris, the State House said Tinubu met Macron as well as businessman Vincent Bollore, and that he had stayed in contact with government officials throughout.
The prolonged absence has drawn scrutiny, in part because Shettima also travelled to New York to represent Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly, leaving both principal offices outside the country at the same time.
Tinubu’s absence ignites constitutional questions
Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution requires the president to write to the Senate president and the Speaker of the House of Representatives whenever he proceeds on vacation or is otherwise unable to carry out his duties. Section 146 separately covers succession if both the presidency and vice presidency fall vacant.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar heightened the controversy by publicly questioning who holds constitutional authority in the current circumstances and calling for clarity on whether President Tinubu transmitted the written declaration required under Section 145.
Akpabio, the National Assembly leader, did not directly address the question of whether such a letter had been sent, but maintained that the presidency remains occupied and that Tinubu continues to exercise his full authority as president.
Watch Akpabio's video below via the X post:
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Chioma joins Davido on UNGA 2026 trip
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Chioma Adeleke is giving fans every reason to talk, and this time, it is her stylish appearance on a trip to the United Nations General Assembly that has set the internet buzzing.
A video shared on Instagram captured the moment Davido and his entourage, including his wife Chioma, made their way to a private jet ahead of UNGA 2026.
Source: Legit.ng
