‘No Vacancy in Aso Rock’ — Akpabio Defends Tinubu’s Extended Working Vacation

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed calls for President Bola Tinubu to transfer power to Vice President Kashim Shettima, insisting that there is no leadership vacuum in the country despite the President’s continued stay abroad on a working vacation.

Akpabio spoke on Tuesday in Akwa Ibom State while commissioning road projects executed by Governor Umo Eno.

He was responding to concerns over Tinubu’s three-week working vacation, which was recently extended by another week.

The Senate President maintained that Tinubu remained fully in charge of the affairs of the country and continued to perform his constitutional responsibilities while away from Nigeria.

“I am the Senate President, and I am not the acting President of Nigeria, because President Tinubu is still in power. He is on a working leave, and there is no absence in Aso Rock.

“The world is a global village, and one can give instructions over the internet. So, why are people complaining?” he said.

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Akpabio further stated that there was currently no presidential vacancy, stressing that Tinubu remained in control of the government.

“Right now, there is no vacancy. Asiwaju Tinubu is still in power, and he is still running the affairs of Nigeria,” he added.

To buttress his position, Akpabio cited the President’s recent diplomatic engagements, including communications with French President Emmanuel Macron, as evidence that Tinubu remained actively involved in governance.

The remarks come amid public debate over whether the President’s prolonged absence from the country should trigger a formal transfer of power to the Vice President.

The Presidency has yet to announce a definite date for Tinubu’s return to Nigeria.

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