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

The Presidency on Wednesday assured that despite President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima being out of the country simultaneously, there is no vacuum in the administration of the country.

The president is on a two-week leave which has seen him in the United Kingdom and, now France, while the vice president departed Abuja on Wednesday for a two-day official engagement in Sweden.

The absence of both leaders from the country at the same time has sparked concerns from certain quarters, forcing the presidency to act to reassure that there is no cause for alarm as the administration of the country is proceeding smoothly.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), the presidency affirmed that queries were being raised by the media about the absence of both the president and the vice president and stressed the need to clarify the situation.

The presidency pointed out that it is not the first time both leaders would be out of the country.

The statement noted: “It is important to note that the president and vice president are fully engaged with the nation’s affairs, even while they are away. There is no leadership vacuum in the country.

“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.”

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