The Presidency has rejected claims by former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has abandoned governance while away from Nigeria.

Atiku had questioned who was in charge of the country, following President Tinubu’s extended working vacation in France. He also raised concerns over the constitutional procedure for transferring presidential powers when the President is away for an extended period.

However, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said President Tinubu had remained in contact with Nigeria and continued to direct the affairs of government despite his absence from the country.

According to the Presidency, Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for a working vacation, spending some time in London before travelling to Paris, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.

Onanuga said the President had continued to take official decisions while abroad, including ordering an independent investigation into the deaths of 37 illegal miners in Minna.
He added that Vice President Kashim Shettima had been representing the President at official engagements.

Shettima is currently in New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly, while Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, continues to represent the President at other official events.

The Presidency also said Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend after extending his working vacation by a few days.It described Atiku’s suggestion that the country was without leadership as unfounded and maintained that the President had not abandoned his responsibilities.