Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed concerns over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s continued absence from Nigeria, insisting that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock and that the President remains in charge of the country.
Akpabio spoke on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, in Akwa Ibom State while commissioning road projects executed by Governor Umo Eno.
He said he was not acting president because Tinubu remained in power and continued to direct government affairs despite being abroad on what the Presidency has described as a working vacation.
"I am the Senate President and chairman of the National Assembly... I am not the acting president because the president is still in power. He is on a working leave... There is no vacancy at Aso Rock. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is still in power and he is still running the affairs of Nigeria," Akpabio said.
According to the Senate President, modern communication has made it possible for the President to continue issuing directives from outside the country.
He pointed to Tinubu’s recent engagement with French President Emmanuel Macron as evidence that the President remained active in official matters. He also noted that Vice President Kashim Shettima is representing Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for a three-week working vacation in Europe, initially travelling to London before moving to Paris. The Presidency announced on September 21 that the President had extended his stay by a few days and was expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend.
The President’s extended absence has, however, triggered political and constitutional debate, particularly because Shettima is also currently outside Nigeria.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other political actors have questioned whether presidential powers should have been formally transferred to the Vice President under Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution. The provision addresses the procedure when a president proceeds on vacation or is otherwise unable to perform the functions of office.
The Presidency has maintained that Tinubu remains in charge and continues to direct government affairs from abroad.
Akpabio echoed that position, saying concerns about a leadership vacuum were misplaced and stressing that there was currently no vacancy in the presidency.
Discussion0