Tinubu, Shettima’s absence: I’m not Acting President, says Akpabio

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has addressed the absence of President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima in Nigeria. Tinubu is on vacation in Europe, while Shettima is attending the UN General Assembly in New York. Bolaji Abdullahi, spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress, criticized their absence as a "dangerous disregard for the Constitution."

He questioned who is currently exercising the powers of the President under the Constitution. Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, called for the National Assembly to immediately follow Section 145(2) of the 1999 Constitution to mandate Shettima to perform presidential duties. Tinubu had extended his vacation by a few days instead of returning as previously announced.

Akpabio, however, stated that there is no vacancy in the Presidency and that Tinubu remains in power, even if he is abroad. He claimed that the Vice-President is performing his duties while Tinubu is working on international matters.