The Adewole Adebayo-Bugaje Presidential Campaign Council has accused President Bola Tinubu of violating the 1999 Constitution over his prolonged stay outside Nigeria, amid growing political debate about the exercise of presidential authority during his absence.
The campaign council, in a statement issued on Monday by its Chief Communications and Media Adviser, Mark Adebayo, criticised the President’s continued absence from the country, arguing that Nigeria could not be governed remotely at a time the nation was facing economic difficulties and security challenges.
The council’s position comes against the backdrop of President Tinubu’s extended stay in Europe. The President left Nigeria on August 30 for what the Presidency initially described as a three-week working vacation. His return was originally expected around September 21, but the trip was subsequently extended.
The campaign council argued that the situation raised constitutional questions, particularly concerning Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution. The provision states that when the President proceeds on vacation or is otherwise unable to discharge 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, informing them that the Vice-President is to discharge the functions of the President in an acting capacity.
The controversy has also attracted criticism from other political actors and constitutional commentators. The African Democratic Congress previously questioned whether the necessary constitutional procedures had been followed, while former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar also raised questions about the exercise of presidential authority during Tinubu’s absence.
However, the administration has maintained that there is no leadership vacuum. Senate President Godswill Akpabio said Tinubu remained in charge of government despite being outside the country, arguing that the President continued to direct the affairs of the nation.
The Presidency has also defended Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s official engagements abroad, including his representation of Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. Shettima left Nigeria on September 20 for the UN gathering while Tinubu remained in Europe.
The dispute has therefore centred not only on the President’s physical absence but also on the constitutional procedure governing the transfer or exercise of presidential powers when the President is unavailable to perform his duties.
The Adebayo campaign council maintained that Nigerians deserved transparency regarding the President’s location, the reasons for the extended stay and the constitutional arrangements under which the Federal Government was operating.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria on Tuesday, September 29, after approximately four weeks abroad. He is expected to proceed to Lagos, where he will participate in activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary on October 1.
The controversy has added another dimension to the emerging political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with opposition figures using the President’s absence to question aspects of the administration’s constitutional and governance practices. The allegations remain political claims, while the Presidency and government officials have maintained that Tinubu remains constitutionally and effectively in charge of the country.
