President Bola Tinubu
Presidential media aide, Daniel Bwala has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s authority to govern Nigeria despite being outside the country, dismissing opposition criticism over the absence of both the President and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Bwala, in a post on his verified X account, said it was “funny” that opposition leaders were asking who was in charge of the country simply because both leaders were on official engagements abroad.
He maintained that the Nigerian Constitution does not restrict the President’s powers to a particular location, insisting that Tinubu remains fully in charge of the affairs of the nation wherever he is.
“It is funny how opposition candidates are asking the question who is in charge of Nigeria simply because the president and Vice President are out of the country,” Bwala wrote.
He added: “For avoidance of doubt, the power of the president to govern Nigeria is not limited to geography. As commander in chief of the armed forces, he can order, direct, delegate and or administer the constitution of Nigeria anywhere in the world. See section 5 of the constitution.”
The presidential aide also took a swipe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, accusing them of failing to present Nigerians with a convincing alternative agenda.
Addressing the two opposition figures directly, Bwala said: “@atiku and @PeterObi, you both have not yet defined and or explained a clear alternative path other than populist rhetorics.”
The comments come amid public debate over the temporary absence of both President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima from Nigeria. Tinubu is attending the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, while Shettima has also been representing Nigeria at official international engagements.
The opposition has questioned the leadership arrangement during the period, but the Presidency has repeatedly maintained that the President continues to discharge his constitutional responsibilities while away on official duties.
Section 5 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which Bwala referenced, vests the executive powers of the Federation in the President and outlines how those powers may be exercised in accordance with the Constitution.
