Abati Defends Tinubu's Vacation Against Atiku's Criticism

Reuben Abati, an anchor at Arise Television, responded to concerns raised by Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), regarding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's three-week vacation in Europe. Atiku condemned the trip, citing the economic hardships in Nigeria as a reason for his criticism.

In his response, Abati dismissed Atiku's concerns as "embarrassing" and poorly researched, asserting that Tinubu is entitled to travel as long as his absence does not exceed the 21-day threshold outlined in Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, which would require him to formally transfer power. Abati noted that there was no evidence that Tinubu had handed over power during his absence.

He also pointed out that while Tinubu was traveling, the Vice President of Nigeria was in Angola, suggesting that the focus of criticism should have been on the Vice President's absence.