President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has dismissed calls for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to hand over power to Vice President Kashim Shettima, insisting that there is no leadership vacuum in the country.
Akpabio spoke on Tuesday in Akwa Ibom State while commissioning road projects executed by Governor Umo Eno. He was responding to concerns over President Tinubu’s three-week working vacation abroad, which was recently extended by another week.
According to the Senate President, Tinubu remains fully in charge of the government and continues to perform his constitutional responsibilities despite being outside 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?” Akpabio said.
He maintained that there is currently no basis for declaring a presidential vacancy, stressing that Tinubu remains in control of the affairs of the country.
“Right now, there is no vacancy. Asiwaju Tinubu is still in power, and he is still running the affairs of Nigeria,” he added.
To reinforce his claim that the President remains actively engaged in governance, Akpabio referred to recent diplomatic contacts involving Tinubu, including communications with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The Senate President’s comments come amid public debate over the President’s extended stay abroad and whether his absence could affect the administration of government.
While the Presidency has yet to announce a formal return date for Tinubu, Akpabio’s remarks sought to reassure Nigerians that there is no leadership vacuum and that the President continues to discharge his responsibilities while away.
