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Senate President Godswill Akpabio has declared that there is no vacancy in the Presidency, insisting that President Bola Tinubu remains fully in charge of Nigeria despite his ongoing absence from the country.
Akpabio stated this on Tuesday in Akwa Ibom State while dismissing rising public concerns regarding Tinubu’s extended stay in Europe and the simultaneous absence of both the President and Vice President Kashim Shettima from Nigerian soil.
The Senate President also firmly rejected insinuations that he was serving as acting President, clarifying that Tinubu remains in power and continues to direct the affairs of the nation from abroad.
“First to correct an impression. I am the Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly.
“By your grace, the grace of God, and the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I am not the acting president. Because the President is still in power. The President is on a working leave. So, there is no absence in Aso Rock.
“What he cannot do here, he is doing abroad. The other day, he was with President Macron on a state visit, discussing bilaterals to bring thing back to Nigeria. And then, because he could not make it to the UNGA—United Nations General Assembly—his Vice President went.”
Akpabio emphasized that critics voicing alarm over a potential leadership vacuum were merely engaging in baseless speculation, noting that he holds the official authority to speak on behalf of the National Assembly on such matters.
“There is no vacancy. People who are talking are just talking. I am the only person, as Chairman of the National Assembly, that can speak the voice of the National Assembly and say there is a vacancy and there will be a vacancy.
“Right now, there is no vacancy. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is still in power, and he is still running the affairs of Nigeria,” he said.
He further argued that modern technological advancements allow the President to effectively govern and issue executive directives from anywhere across the globe.
“Nigeria has become—the world has become a global village. You can give instructions even from the internet, anything. So why are people complaining?” Akpabio said.
He added that Tinubu remains in regular communication with government officials back home and will soon return to unveil several key federal initiatives.
“His Excellency, the President, is very proud of you and sends his greetings to you. And said I should assure you that as soon as he comes back into Nigeria, he will give you a date that he will come and commission those presidential projects,” he said.
Akpabio withheld specific details about the upcoming developments, adding,
“I don’t want to leak what he will commission, but I know that there is a resource centre that… I won’t mention it.”
Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for what was initially announced by the Presidency as a three-week working vacation in Europe, traveling first to London before proceeding to Paris, France.
During his stay in Paris, the President held bilateral discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Although the initial three-week period elapsed around September 20, the Presidency confirmed on Monday that Tinubu extended his working leave and is scheduled to return to Nigeria by the weekend.
This extension coincided with his absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Vice President Shettima is currently representing Nigeria and leading the national delegation.
The overlapping absences have reignited political and constitutional debates, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar publicly questioning who is legally exercising presidential authority while the President resides abroad.
Atiku referenced Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates that whenever the President proceeds on vacation or is unable to discharge executive duties, a written declaration must be transmitted to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to formally empower the Vice President as Acting President.
The opposition leader pointed out that no public evidence of such a constitutional transmission has been provided, raising concerns over the legal framework of the administration’s current governance structure.
However, the Federal Government maintains that Tinubu remains fully capable of governing remotely and continues to exercise his constitutional responsibilities without interruption.
The Presidency also defended Shettima’s presence at UNGA, asserting that the Vice President is attending the international summit under the direct authorization and mandate of the President.
Akpabio’s latest statements align the leadership of the National Assembly with the position of the Executive, reinforcing that no power vacuum exists in Aso Rock during the President’s extended leave.
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