Atiku Questions Who Is in Charge of Nigeria as Tinubu’s 21-Day Vacation Elapses

By Nafiu Muhammad Lema

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has questioned who is constitutionally exercising presidential authority in Nigeria following the expiration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s announced three-week vacation.

In a statement issued on Monday, September 21, Atiku cited Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides for the transmission of a written declaration by the President to the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives when proceeding on vacation or otherwise unable to discharge the functions of office.

According to the constitutional provision, the Vice President performs the functions of President as Acting President after such declaration is transmitted. Where the President fails to transmit the declaration within 21 days, the National Assembly is empowered to mandate the Vice President to perform the functions of Acting President.

Atiku noted that the Presidency announced on August 30 that President Tinubu had departed Nigeria for a three-week vacation in Europe, with London as his first destination.

He, however, said Nigerians had not been shown any constitutional communication transmitting presidential authority to Vice President Kashim Shettima.

“If such a letter exists, the Presidency should publish it immediately,” Atiku said, arguing that if no declaration was transmitted, the National Assembly should explain why the constitutional procedure under Section 145(2) had not been activated.

The ADC presidential candidate also pointed to Vice President Shettima’s current presence in New York, where he is representing Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

He questioned how presidential authority is being exercised while the President and Vice President are both outside the country, alongside the Senate President.

Atiku further linked his concerns to recent national developments, including the deaths of 37 people in Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) custody in Minna, Niger State, and rising petrol prices.

The Federal Government has already announced an independent investigation into the deaths of the 37 detainees. President Tinubu also directed that the circumstances surrounding the deaths be thoroughly investigated and ordered accountability where wrongdoing is established.

Atiku said the situation underscored the need for Nigerians to know clearly who is exercising presidential powers and under what constitutional authority.

He therefore called on the Presidency to disclose whether President Tinubu transmitted the declaration contemplated by Section 145(1), while urging the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives to state whether they received such communication.

He also asked the National Assembly to explain its position if no declaration was transmitted within the constitutionally stipulated 21-day period.

Atiku maintained that presidential authority could not be based on assumptions, social-media updates or engagements undertaken abroad, stressing that Nigeria must continue to operate within the provisions of the Constitution.