Presidency: No vacuum in governance with Tinubu, Shettima outside Nigeria

• This marks the second time both officers have been concurrently absent from the country since assuming office 17 months ago.

The presidency has assured citizens that President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima’s absence won’t disrupt governance.

Tinubu is on a two-week vacation in the UK and France, while Vice President Shettima is in Sweden for a two-day official visit.

Concerns have been raised about the simultaneous absence, prompting the presidency to reassure citizens of uninterrupted governance.

In a statement on Wednesday, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said Tinubu and Shettima are “fully engaged.”

Onanuga emphasized their commitment to handling national affairs, even while abroad.

“There is no leadership vacuum in the country,” Onanuga said.

“President Tinubu left the country on 3 October and is on a two-week working vacation.

“During this time, he has been busy answering phones and issuing directives on matters of state. He will soon return to the country before the vacation officially expires.

“The vice president departed the country Wednesday for Sweden on an official visit, working for Nigeria.

“All state organs are functioning as usual — the Senate President, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ministers, and Service Chiefs are all in their respective positions, ensuring the smooth operation of the government.

“We had a similar situation in 2022 when former President Buhari and former Vice President Osinbajo were found to be simultaneously out of the country.

“President Buhari attended UNGA 77, while Osinbajo participated in the burial of Queen Elizabeth ll.

“We have also experienced it during this administration — between late April and early May this year, while President Tinubu was in London, after visiting the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, where he attended the World Economic Forum, Vice President Shettima left Nigeria, first of all for Nairobi to attend the International Development Association (IDA21) Heads of State Summit.

“After returning, he left for Dallas, Texas, to attend the US-Africa Business Summit organized by the Corporate Council on Africa.

“President Tinubu returned home on 8 May. During this time, the government’s machinery did not halt.

“The Constitution, a testament to our adaptability in the virtual age, does not explicitly require the physical presence of either the president or the vice president in the country at all times to fulfill his duties.”