Akpabio Says No Vacancy in Aso Rock as Tinubu Continues Working Vacation

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed calls for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to formally hand over power to Vice President Kashim Shettima, insisting that the President remains in charge of Nigeria despite his extended stay abroad.

Akpabio made the remarks on Tuesday in Akwa Ibom State while commissioning road projects executed by Governor Umo Eno. He said Tinubu had continued to perform his constitutional duties remotely and that his absence from the country did not amount to a leadership vacuum.

“I am the Senate President, and I am not the acting President of Nigeria, because President Tinubu is still in power,” Akpabio said. “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.”

The Senate President further declared that there was currently no vacancy in the presidency, maintaining that Tinubu remained responsible for running the affairs of the country.

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

Akpabio pointed to Tinubu’s recent diplomatic engagements as evidence that the President remained active in governance while abroad. The State House has confirmed that Tinubu travelled to London on August 30 before moving to Paris, where he held meetings including an engagement with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The Presidency announced on September 21 that Tinubu’s working vacation had been extended by a few days, but said he would return to Nigeria at the weekend. It also stated that he had continued directing affairs of government while abroad.

Akpabio’s comments come as public debate continues over whether Tinubu’s prolonged absence requires a formal transfer of presidential authority to Shettima. The Senate President, however, maintained that Tinubu remains in office and that there is no presidential vacancy.