The Presidency has responded to questions over President Bola Tinubu’s prolonged absence from Nigeria, insisting that he can continue governing the country from anywhere in the world. Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, made the position known on Monday through a post on X. Bwala was reacting to questions from opposition figures over […]
The Presidency has responded to questions over President Bola Tinubu’s prolonged absence from Nigeria, insisting that he can continue governing the country from anywhere in the world.
Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, made the position known on Monday through a post on X.
Bwala was reacting to questions from opposition figures over the absence of both Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima from Nigeria.
He said the President’s constitutional authority is not determined by his physical location and can therefore be exercised while he is outside the country.
According to Bwala, Tinubu retains the ability to issue directives, delegate responsibilities and exercise his duties as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces while abroad.
“For avoidance of doubt, the power of the President to govern Nigeria is not limited to geography,” Bwala stated.
He said the President could “order, direct, delegate and/or administer the constitution of Nigeria anywhere in the world.”
The statement came shortly after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar raised questions about who is constitutionally exercising presidential authority in Nigeria.
Atiku, in a statement titled “Who is in charge of Nigeria?”, referred to Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution in questioning the President’s continued absence from the country.
The provision states that when the President proceeds on vacation or is otherwise unable to discharge his functions, he shall transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Following such a declaration, the Vice President performs the functions of President as Acting President.
Atiku said the Presidency had not shown Nigerians any constitutional letter transmitting presidential authority to Shettima, and called for clarification on whether such a document was issued. (Channels Television)
He also referred to the provision dealing with a situation where the required declaration is not transmitted within 21 days, arguing that the National Assembly should explain its position if that circumstance applies.
The former Vice President described the matter as one concerning constitutional procedure and accountability, asking who is exercising presidential authority and under what legal instrument.
The questions followed the expiration of the three-week vacation announced for Tinubu after he left Nigeria on August 30.
The State House subsequently announced that the President had extended his working vacation by a few days and was expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend. (Punch Newspapers)
The Presidency, however, has maintained that Tinubu remains in charge of government affairs despite being outside the country.
Bwala’s latest comments reinforce that position, arguing that the President’s constitutional powers are not limited by geography.
The development has brought renewed attention to the relationship between the President’s ability to govern while abroad and the constitutional procedure governing presidential vacations and temporary inability to perform official functions.