The Constitution makes clear that the President and Vice President are not need to be physically present in office.

From Abuja, by Johnbosco Agbakwuru

According to the Presidency, the President and Vice President of Nigeria are not required by the constitution to be physically present in order to carry out their duties. As a result, the nation does not lack a leader.

This explanation comes after Vice President Kashim Shettima’s recent travel to Sweden for bilateral negotiations, and President Bola Tinubu’s two-week working holiday.

The President’s Special Advisor on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, released a statement in which the Presidency stressed that both leaders are still actively involved in national activities even if they are not in the nation.

In response to questions from the media about who is in control while the president and vice president are abroad, the statement said:

“Even while they are gone, the President and Vice President remain actively involved in the activities of the country. There’s no lack of leadership in our nation.

“On October 3, President Tinubu departed and is presently enjoying a two-week working holiday. He has been quite busy throughout this period responding to calls and giving orders on state affairs. Before his vacation officially ends, he will return to the nation.

On Wednesday, the Vice President left on an official visitation to Sweden while still carrying out his duties for Nigeria.

All state agencies are operating normally. The administration runs well since the Senate President, the Secretary to the administration of the Federation, Ministers, and Service Chiefs all hold their appointed posts.

When former Vice President Osinbajo and President Buhari were both abroad at the same time in 2022, we had a similar circumstance. Osinbajo took part in Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, while President Buhari went to the UN General Assembly.

This happened to us under this administration as well. Vice President Shettima departed Nigeria early to attend the International Development Association (IDA21) Heads of State Summit in Nairobi during the latter part of April and the first part of May of this year, while President Tinubu was in London after his visits to the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia for the World Economic Forum. Following his return, he went to Dallas, Texas, to attend the Corporate Council on Africa’s US-Africa Business Summit. On May 8, President Tinubu left for home. The machinery of government continued to function during this period.

“The Constitution does not expressly require the President or the Vice President to be physically present in the nation at all times in order to perform their duties, which is a monument to our adaptability in the virtual age.”