Presidential vacuum in Nigeria as Tinubu, VP Shettima travel abroad without obeying constitution 

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) can authoritatively report that Nigeria is currently grappling with a constitutional crisis.

This is as a result of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima’s separate overseas trips, leaving the country without a clear leader.

The development has created about a potential power vacuum, sparking fears on the implications for the nation’s governance.

At the heart of the controversy is Section 145(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which mandates the President to transmit a written declaration which enables the Vice President to assume the role of Acting President, ensuring continuity in governance.

However, President Tinubu’s two-week vacation in the United Kingdom, which began on October 2, was not preceded by this declaration.

Furthermore, Vice President Shettima’s subsequent departure for Sweden has compounded the situation.

DDM understands that power was not also transmitted to the President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio, prior to the duo’s departure.

The presidency had stated that Vice President Shettima’s trip to Sweden was at President Tinubu’s instance, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between Nigeria and Sweden.

However, this explanation has failed to alleviate concerns about the constitutional implications.

As Nigeria navigates this leadership crisis, citizens are calling for transparency and accountability.

“We need clarity on who is in charge.This uncertainty is unsettling and undermines confidence in our institutions,” said a human rights activist, Comrade Renner Ekong.

A Precedent

In 2016, Nigeria faced a potential leadership crisis when President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo traveled abroad simultaneously.

Buhari attended the African Union Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, while Osinbajo visited the European Union in Brussels, Belgium.

Buhari (right) and Osinbajo

This dual absence sparked concerns about a potential power vacuum, highlighting the need for clarity on Nigeria’s succession protocols.

Fortunately, the situation did not escalate into a full-blown crisis.

However, the incident underscored the importance of adhering to constitutional provisions on power transfer.

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