Phrank Shaibu, the special assistant to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has criticized the presidency for its statement regarding the absence of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
According to reports, the Presidency clarified that there is no leadership vacuum despite both leaders being out of the country.
In response to journalists’ questions about who is in charge during their absence, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, emphasized that Tinubu continues to perform his duties while on vacation.
According to Onanuga, the President is expected to return to the country soon before his vacation officially ends.
Part of the statement reads: “Following enquiries by journalists as to who is in charge of our country as the President and Vice President are out of the country, we want to clarify:
“1. It is important to note that the President and Vice President are fully engaged with the nation’s affairs, even while they are away. There is no leadership vacuum in the country.
“2. President Tinubu left the country on 3 October and is on a two-week working vacation. During this time, he has been busy answering phones and issuing directives on matters of state. He will soon return to the country before the vacation officially expires.
“3. The vice president departed the country Wednesday for Sweden on an official visit, working for Nigeria.
“4. All state organs are functioning as usual. The Senate President, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ministers, and Service Chiefs are all in their respective positions, ensuring the smooth operation of the government.”
Reacting, Phrank Shaibu, in a post via X, questioned why Nigerians should be worried over the absence of Tinubu and Shettima, noting that Nigeria has been running itself since the duo assumed office.
He said, “The presidency is absolutely right! The president and his vice can be totally missing in action, after all Tinubu is busy savouring wine in France and shettima is off sightseeing in Sweden. Why would we worry? Nigeria has been practically running itself since they came to power.”
