{
  "id": 9265537,
  "title": "No Vacuum in Aso Rock Despite President, Vice President’s Absence, Declares Akpabio",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/no-vacuum-in-aso-rock-despite-president-vice-presidents-absence",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-23T04:00:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/09/23/no-vacuum-in-aso-rock-despite-president-vice-presidents-absence-declares-akpabio/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Aso Rock, the official residence of the President of Nigeria, remained unaffected despite President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima's prolonged absence from the country, according to Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President. Akpabio defended Tinubu's extended holiday, stating that there was no leadership vacuum and no vacancy in Aso Rock. He argued that modern communication technology allowed the president to direct government business from abroad, emphasizing that Tinubu remained firmly in charge of the nation's affairs. The Senate President also highlighted the president's ongoing diplomatic engagements, such as his recent communication with French President Emmanuel Macron, as evidence of his active involvement in national matters. However, opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), have criticized the situation, alleging that it violates constitutional provisions. According to the ADC, Section 145 of the Constitution mandates the president to inform the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives when embarking on a vacation of up to 21 days, after which the Vice President assumes the role of Acting President. The ADC has called for a formal transfer of presidential powers to Shettima and rejected the Presidency's explanation that Tinubu was on a \"working vacation\" or that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, represented him at official functions.",
  "summary": "• Defends Tinubu’s extended vacation, says he remains in charge from Europe •ADC: President, vice-president’s absence at once violates constitutional provisions • Tinubu’s extended holiday an unacceptable abdication of mandate,",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}