By George Omagbemi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s extended stay abroad has triggered fresh political and constitutional debate, with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and AAC presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore questioning why presidential powers were not formally transmitted to Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30, 2026, for what the Presidency described as a three-week working vacation. He later extended his stay by a few days and is expected to return at the weekend. Shettima, meanwhile, travelled to New York on September 20 to represent Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
Speaking on Tuesday, September 22, in Katsina, Makinde argued that Section 145 of the Constitution provides for the President to transmit a written declaration when proceeding on vacation or otherwise unable to discharge the functions of office.
The ADC, through its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, similarly asked whether the required declaration had been transmitted, while Sowore called on the National Assembly to consider the procedure provided under Section 145(2).
However, the Presidency has rejected the suggestion that governance has been disrupted, maintaining that Tinubu can continue exercising his constitutional responsibilities from abroad.
The controversy therefore centres on the interpretation and application of Section 145 during the President’s extended absence, rather than an established finding that presidential authority has ceased.
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