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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s absence from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), questioning his decision to remain on vacation in France while French President Emmanuel Macron attends the global gathering in New York.
Tinubu, who is currently on annual vacation in Europe, delegated Vice-President Kashim Shettima to represent him at the UNGA.
In a statement, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the situation as a “national disgrace” and argued that Nigeria should have its president personally represented at the global event.
Abdullahi also questioned the constitutional status of the presidency, alleging that Tinubu’s absence from Nigeria had exceeded 21 days and asking whether the president had transmitted the declaration required under Section 145 of the Constitution.
According to him, the provision requires a president proceeding on vacation for up to 21 days to transmit a written declaration to the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, after which the vice-president performs the functions of Acting President.
“President Tinubu left Nigeria on 30 August and has now been away for more than 21 days. We therefore demand to know whether the required declaration was transmitted by the President,” he said.
The ADC spokesman also questioned the simultaneous absence of Tinubu and Shettima from the country, citing insecurity, unemployment and economic pressures confronting Nigerians.
He rejected the Presidency’s description of Tinubu’s trip as a “working vacation”, as well as arrangements for other government officials to represent the president at official engagements.
Abdullahi argued that representing the president at official events does not amount to exercising presidential powers, insisting that such authority could only be transferred through the constitutional process.
The ADC’s criticism comes as Shettima represents Nigeria at the UNGA, marking the third consecutive occasion on which he has attended the gathering on behalf of Tinubu, according to the party.
The party called on the Presidency and National Assembly to clarify whether the constitutional requirements under Section 145 had been fulfilled during the president’s current absence.
