Tinubu, AGF, National Assembly Dragged To Court Over Refusal To Handover Power To Shettima During Vacation [PHOTOS]

The African Action Congress (AAC) has filed a lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu and other key government figures over his failure to transfer power to Vice President Kashim Shettima during his extended European vacation.

Filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja by National Legal Adviser Inibehe Effiong, the suit names the Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and the National Assembly as defendants alongside the president.

The legal challenge centers on Section 145(1) of the Nigerian constitution, questioning whether the president can proceed on vacation “without transmitting written declaration to Senate President and Speaker to enable VP to act as President.”

President Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for what was initially described as a three-week working vacation in London, though his return was subsequently extended past late September.

Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga noted that the president continued performing official duties from abroad, but the prolonged absence sparked political scrutiny.

The AAC—featuring Sahara Reporters publisher Omoyele Sowore as its 2027 presidential candidate—is asking the court to declare that Mr. Tinubu’s decision to leave without transmitting the required written declaration was “unconstitutional, unlawful, undemocratic, and a violation of oath of office.”

The party also challenges the National Assembly, questioning whether its failure to pass a resolution authorizing Mr. Shettima to act after 21 days of absence violated Section 145(2).

Additionally, the lawsuit seeks “an order of perpetual injunction” to restrain Mr. Tinubu from taking future vacations without submitting the mandatory written declaration.

The supporting affidavit also highlights related travels during the period, noting that Senate President Akpabio traveled to Italy to pray for the nation at the St. Padre Pio Prayer Ground.

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