Former Presidential spokesman, Laolu Akande, has expressed concerns over the simultaneous absence of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima from Nigeria due to foreign trips.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program on Thursday, Akande emphasized that both leaders should not be out of the country at the same time.
“It is crucial that one of them remains in Nigeria because governance requires constant oversight,” Akande said.
He further highlighted the importance of building trust between the President and the Vice President, noting that such relationships are vital for effective leadership.
“In my view, there is still a significant issue regarding the sustained trust in the relationship between the President and the Vice President over time,” he added.
President Tinubu left Nigeria on October 2, 2024, for a two-week working leave in the United Kingdom. Vice President Shettima, in turn, departed Abuja on Wednesday for a two-day trip to Sweden to represent Nigeria in bilateral engagements with the Scandinavian country.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga had previously reassured Nigerians in a statement that both leaders were still handling national affairs while abroad, and that governance would continue without any disruptions.
However, Akande disagreed with this approach, asserting that ensuring either the President or the Vice President remains on the ground is the ideal situation.
“During my eight years in office, this only happened once — during the Queen’s funeral, which coincided with the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Even then, both leaders were in constant contact to ensure one returned as soon as possible,” Akande recalled.
He concluded by citing instances when the Vice President had to cut short international trips to maintain continuous governance at home whenever the President was traveling.
