The African Democratic Congress, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore have raised concerns over President Bola Tinubu’s continued absence from Nigeria without a publicly confirmed transfer of presidential functions to Vice-President Kashim Shettima.
The reactions followed Tinubu’s stay outside the country for more than 21 days after he left Nigeria on August 30, 2026, for what the Presidency described as a working vacation. He travelled from London to Paris during the trip.
The ADC, through its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, cited Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides for a written declaration to be transmitted to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives when the President is proceeding on vacation or is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of office.
The party questioned whether such a declaration had been transmitted and, if not, why the National Assembly had not acted on the constitutional provision.
Makinde questions prolonged absence
Speaking at a North-West town hall meeting in Katsina, Makinde said Tinubu’s extended stay abroad raised constitutional concerns.
The Oyo governor said that, whenever he travels for more than 21 days for a vacation rather than official duties, he transmits power to his deputy.
He questioned why a similar procedure should not apply at the federal level.
Makinde also said that if he becomes President, he would transmit power to the Vice-President whenever he was unavailable on vacation, pledging to follow the Constitution in such circumstances.
Sowore asks National Assembly to act
Sowore, the African Action Congress presidential candidate in the 2027 election, also called on the National Assembly to invoke Section 145(2) and require Shettima to perform the functions of President in an acting capacity.
He argued that the description of Tinubu’s absence as a “working vacation” did not resolve the constitutional questions surrounding the President’s prolonged stay outside Nigeria.
Sowore said there had been no publicly established confirmation of a declaration transferring presidential functions to Shettima after the 21-day period.
Presidency defends Tinubu’s absence
The Presidency, however, has maintained that Tinubu can continue to exercise his constitutional responsibilities while outside Nigeria.
It said the President’s constitutional powers are not dependent on his physical location and that he remains engaged in the affairs of government while abroad.
The development has therefore sparked a public debate over the interpretation and application of Section 145, particularly regarding the constitutional procedure for presidential absences lasting beyond 21 days.
