The Presidency has sought to reassure Nigerians that the absence of both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima from the country does not create a leadership vacuum. In a statement issued on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, it was emphasized that the physical presence of the President or Vice President is not a requirement for them to perform their duties.

“The Constitution, a testament to our adaptability in the virtual age, does not explicitly require the physical presence of either the president or the vice president in the country at all times to fulfill their duties,” Onanuga noted.

The statement clarified that:

1. Both the President and Vice President remain actively engaged with national affairs, even while abroad.
2. President Tinubu, currently on a two-week working vacation since October 3, continues to manage state matters through phone communications and directives. He is expected to return before his vacation officially concludes.
3. Vice President Shettima is on an official trip to Sweden, handling Nigeria’s diplomatic and developmental interests.
4. Other key government officials, including the Senate President, ministers, and service chiefs, remain in place to ensure the smooth functioning of state operations.

Onanuga referenced similar instances in previous administrations, citing the case in 2022 when former President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo were both out of the country on official duties. Likewise, earlier this year, both President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima traveled abroad simultaneously without interrupting government operations.

The statement reassured the public that there is no disruption in governance, as modern communication methods allow for seamless leadership despite the President and Vice President’s physical absence.