Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed calls for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to transfer power to Vice President Kashim Shettima while away from Nigeria, insisting that there is no leadership vacuum.

Akpabio spoke on Tuesday in Ikot-Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, during the inauguration of GRA roads built by the administration of Governor Umo Eno. His comments came amid renewed criticism of Tinubu’s extended working leave by opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for a working vacation and the Presidency announced on September 21 that his stay had been extended by a few days, with his return expected at the weekend. Shettima travelled to New York on September 20 to represent the President at the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

Akpabio said Tinubu remained in charge despite his absence from the country.

“I am the Senate President, and I am not the acting President of Nigeria, because President Tinubu is still in power.

“He is on a working leave, and there is no absence in Aso Rock.

“The world is a global village, and one can give instructions over the internet. So, why are people complaining?” he asked.

He insisted that Tinubu continued to discharge his constitutional responsibilities while abroad.

“Right now, there is no vacancy. Asiwaju Tinubu is still in power, and he is still running the affairs of Nigeria,” he added.

To support his position, Akpabio referred to Tinubu’s recent diplomatic engagements, including communications with French President Emmanuel Macron and industrialist Vincent Bolloré. The Presidency has similarly maintained that the President has remained in contact with officials at home and continued directing government affairs while abroad.

Makinde, however, said he would transmit power to his vice-president whenever he was away on leave if elected president.

Speaking at the Northwest Consultative Meeting of his campaign organisation in Katsina State, the APM presidential candidate cited Section 145 of the Constitution and questioned why the same practice did not apply at the federal level.

“Finally, I promise you that this campaign will be issue-based. And this is why it is concerning to us, and to me personally, that our President is on working leave.

“I have looked at the Constitution, and of course, for me as a state governor, I also operate under that Constitution.

“Anytime I have to travel out, not working, or on vacation, for more than 21 days, I transmit power to the deputy governor.

“Why is this not happening at the national level?”

Makinde added: “We are all human; anything can happen to anybody at any time. If that happens, he should transmit power to the Vice President.

“I promise you that as your president, I will follow the Constitution to the letter. If I am not going to be available, if I am on vacation, I will transmit power to the Vice President. Record this and hold me accountable,” he said.

Former Senate President Pius Anyim, however, defended Tinubu’s absence from the UNGA, saying Shettima was capable of representing Nigeria.

“I really don’t understand why his (Tinubu’s) absence should be an issue. I think Nigerians know very well that the President is on short leave, a short vacation,” Anyim said on Arise News TV.

The Presidency and Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris have also said Tinubu’s absence from the UNGA does not constitute a setback for Nigeria. Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, said more than 60 per cent of presidents would not attend this year’s UNGA and that some would be represented by their vice-presidents or foreign ministers.

Shettima, who has been attending sideline events at the UNGA, is scheduled to deliver Nigeria’s national statement on Wednesday.