How Tinubu’s Timely Return From Europe Averted Constitutional Crisis

President Bola Tinubu has averted what could have lead to impending constitutional crisis that threatened to destabilize the country as he return to Nigeria from Europe on Monday night.

BIGPEN NIGERIA (https://bigpenngr.com) reports Tinubu’s two-week working visit to Europe, which focused on international relations, had drawn criticism after his absence almost exceeded the 21-day threshold stipulated in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) for presidential absences.

The absence had prompted concerns about a possible constitutional vacuum, as Section 145 outlines procedures for handling prolonged absences.

Critics pointed to the National Assembly’s (NASS) delayed resumption, which threatened to exacerbate the situation.

The constitutional implication stemmed from the requirement that the President, if absent for more than 21 days, must transmit a written declaration to the NASS outlining the reasons for the absence and appointing a designated acting president.

The fact that the President did not do so, combined with the Assembly’s apparent reluctance to invoke the relevant section, created a tense and potentially explosive situation.

But the President’s timely return before the 21-day mark, however, defused the immediate crisis.

According to NAN, he was received on arrival at the Presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 9.50 p.m. by Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Nyesom Wike, FCT Minister, and other senior government officials.

The President had departed Nigeria on April 2 for Paris, France, where he held a high-level meeting with Mr Massad Boulos, the U.S. Department of State’s Senior Advisor for Africa.

The discussion focused on deepening bilateral cooperation to enhance regional security and sustainable economic development across Africa.

After his engagements in Paris, Tinubu proceeded to London over the weekend, where he continued consultations and maintained regular communication with senior government officials in Abuja.