…Questions prolonged vacation
The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has questioned what he described as “the prolonged absence” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from Nigeria.
Atiku pointedly asked what exactly if President Tinubu is still doing in Paris, France, upon the expiration of his official three-week vacation.
He noted that while the French President Emmanuel Macron attended France’s international engagements and returned home, Tinubu has remained in France while his country confronts serious security, economic and cost-of-living challenges.
These were contained in a statement by Phrank Shaibu, Senior Special Assist on public communications to the ADC presidential candidate in which he cited Section 145(2) of Nigeria’s Constitution, stating that if the President fails to transmit a declaration within 21 days, the National Assembly shall, by a simple majority of each House, mandate the Vice-President to perform the functions of President.
Atiku bemoaned that Tinubu has been away for 28 days, 7 days longer than 21 days since he left Nigeria on August 30, for what the Presidency described as a three-week annual vacation.
In the words of Atiku; “That period expired days ago. His return was subsequently extended, and reports today indicate that his expected return today has been postponed yet again.
“The obvious question is: what exactly is keeping the President of Nigeria in Paris? So where is the letter? If it was transmitted, let the Presidency, Senate President or Speaker publish it.
“If no letter was transmitted, Nigerians deserve to know why the constitutional procedure has not been followed. We do not want to believe insinuations that the inner circle of Tinubu are scared of Shettima being handed the Acting President authority.
“Former President Muhammadu Buhari transferred presidential functions to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on five occasions during his tenure, including through formal Section 145 communications to the National Assembly,” he stated.
