The Presidency has said President Bola Tinubu can continue to govern Nigeria from anywhere in the world, insisting that his constitutional powers are not restricted by his physical location.
The Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, made the assertion on Monday while responding to questions over who is currently in charge of the country as Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima remain outside Nigeria.
Bwala said it was unnecessary to question the President’s ability to govern simply because he was abroad.
According to him, the President’s authority to govern Nigeria is not limited by geography.
He said that as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Tinubu could issue orders, give directives, delegate responsibilities and administer the Constitution regardless of his location.
Bwala’s comments came amid renewed questions over Tinubu’s extended stay outside the country.
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, had asked who was constitutionally exercising presidential authority following the expiration of the three-week vacation initially announced for Tinubu.
Atiku cited Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides that when the President proceeds on vacation or is otherwise unable to perform the functions of his office, he is to transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The provision allows the Vice President to perform the functions of the President as Acting President under the circumstances specified by the Constitution.
Atiku called on the Presidency to clarify whether such a declaration had been transmitted before Tinubu left Nigeria and urged the leadership of the National Assembly to state whether any such communication had been received.
The Presidency, however, has maintained that Tinubu remains in charge of the affairs of government while abroad.
The State House announced on Monday that the President had extended his working vacation in Europe by a few days and was expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend.
The debate has therefore centred on whether the President’s physical absence from Nigeria affects his ability to exercise his constitutional powers and whether the procedure under Section 145 applies in the circumstances.
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