‘Who is in Charge?’ Atiku Raises Alarm Over Constitutional Crisis Over Tinubu, Shettima’s Absence

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has raised the alarm over a looming constitutional crisis following the prolonged absence of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima from the country.

President Tinubu’s three-week vacation entered its 21st day on Monday, September 21, 2026, after departing Nigeria on August 30 for an annual leave.

In a sharply worded statement, the former Vice President questioned the current structure of governance, asking, “Who, constitutionally, is in charge of Nigeria?” Atiku pointed out that the administration has yet to provide any evidence that executive power was formally transferred to Vice President Shettima in compliance with Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The 21-Day Constitutional Trigger

Atiku cited Section 145(1) of the Constitution, which mandates a president proceeding on vacation to transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to legally activate the Vice President’s role as Acting President. Crucially, Section 145(2) outlines the consequences of failing to do so.

He argued that if the President fails to transmit such a declaration within 21 days, the National Assembly is constitutionally empowered to mandate the Vice President to step in as Acting President via a simple majority vote in both chambers.

With the 21-day window now fully elapsed, Atiku urged the Presidency to immediately publish the letter of transmission if it exists. He added that if no such letter was sent, the National Assembly must explain why it has not activated the emergency succession protocol to protect the nation’s legal order.

A Leadership Vacuum in a Time of Crisis

The ADC candidate expressed deep concern over the simultaneous absence of both the President and the Vice President. “The situation is made even more disturbing by the fact that Vice President Shettima is himself presently in New York representing Nigeria at the United Nations General Assembly—the third consecutive UN General Assembly at which President Tinubu has delegated Nigeria’s representation to his deputy,” he stated.

Furthermore, he noted that the Senate President is also reported to be out of the country, a scenario he described as governing Nigeria on “autopilot” at a time when the nation faces compounding domestic emergencies and severe economic challenges.

“Working Vacation” Not Recognized by Law

Atiku dismissed the Presidency’s statements framing the trip as an active working holiday, characterizing public images of Tinubu with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris as mere private dinners.

He insisted that the Nigerian Constitution does not recognize a “working vacation” as a substitute for formal succession procedures, demanding absolute clarity from the Presidency on whether the Section 145(1) declaration was ever officially transmitted.