Former presidential aide, Laolu Akande, has expressed concerns regarding the absence of both President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima from the country simultaneously, describing the situation as less than ideal.
Speaking on Sunrise Daily on Channels TV Thursday, Akande emphasized the importance of having at least one of the two leaders present to maintain effective governance and communication.
Reflecting on his experience during the previous administration, Akande stated, “I think the ideal thing is for us not to have a situation where both the president and vice president are not in town. During my eight years of service, it happened only once—during the burial of the Queen of England and the United Nations General Assembly. The president and vice president maintained regular communication, ensuring that someone was always available to address any urgent matters.”
President Tinubu is currently on a working leave outside Nigeria while Vice President Shettima travelled to Sweden on an official visit on Wednesday.
The absence of the two top citizens from the country at a time the country is facing severe economic challenges has raised concerns among some Nigerians.
In reaction, Mr Tinubu’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, said there is “no leadership vacuum in the country.”
Akande noted that, unlike the current scenario, the previous administration managed to keep one leader in the country at all times. He recalled instances where former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had to conclude foreign trips abruptly to return home when pressing issues arose.
“This is the second time this has occurred under President Tinubu, as mentioned by Presidential Spokesman Bayo Onanuga,” Akande pointed out. “This situation is not ideal, and it highlights a potential issue of sustained trust in the relationship between the president and vice president over time.”
He further acknowledged the precedent set by former President Muhammadu Buhari, who delegated authority to his deputy during his travels. Akande urged the current administration to prioritize this ideal scenario, stating, “You have a president and vice president; let us have a situation where at least one of them is on ground.”
