National Assembly Urged to Appoint Shettima as Acting President

The National Assembly has been called upon to invoke constitutional provisions to appoint Vice-President Kashim Shettima as Acting President following President Bola Tinubu's extended absence from Nigeria, which began on August 30. This call was made by Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress presidential candidate, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The Presidency initially described Tinubu's absence as a three-week working vacation, but it was later announced that he would extend his stay. Sowore emphasized that the expiration of the initial 21-day period necessitates action from the National Assembly if Tinubu does not transmit the required written declaration to the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Under Section 145(2) of the Constitution, if the President fails to provide this declaration within 21 days, the National Assembly may mandate the Vice-President to perform presidential functions. The ADC raised concerns about who exercises presidential powers while both Tinubu and Shettima are abroad, questioning the legitimacy of governance during this period.