Members of the House of Representatives under the Save Democracy Group (SDG) have called on the leadership of the National Assembly to reconvene immediately. The lawmakers want clarification on the constitutional status of President Bola Tinubu’s extended vacation. Tinubu has been on leave since 30 August. He has been in London and France. He has not returned to Nigeria. The vacation was initially described as annual leave. It has now extended beyond three weeks.
Nigerian presidents have taken extended leave before. In 2017, Muhammadu Buhari spent months in London on medical leave. The presidency insisted he remained in office. Critics questioned his capacity. The Constitution does not specify a maximum leave period. It only requires the president to transmit a letter to the National Assembly before proceeding on leave. Section 145 allows the vice president to act as acting president when the president is unavailable. Tinubu has not transmitted such a letter. Shettima is not acting president. He is representing Nigeria at UNGA. The constitutional position is unclear.
The SDG’s demand is a constitutional question. They want the National Assembly to reconvene. They want the Attorney-General to clarify. They want to know whether Tinubu is on vacation or incapacitated. The distinction matters. If he is on vacation, he remains president. If he is incapacitated, Section 144 applies. That section requires the Federal Executive Council to declare him unable to discharge his duties. The process is complex. It has never been used.
The presidency has not responded. The Information Minister has defended the president’s absence. He said Tinubu remains in charge. Modern technology allows remote governance. That argument is legally sound. It is politically contested. The 2027 election is approaching. Every absence is scrutinised.
The SDG is a House caucus. Its members are not all opposition. Some are APC. Their demand is procedural. They want the rules followed. The National Assembly is on recess. Reconvening requires the presiding officers’ agreement. They have not indicated willingness.
Winners: The SDG, which gains visibility. Constitutional lawyers, who gain a debate. The opposition, which gains a talking point. Losers: Tinubu, whose absence invites scrutiny. The presidency, which must defend the optics. The National Assembly, if it ignores the demand. Nigeria’s governance, if uncertainty persists.
Bottom Line: Tinubu is on extended leave. The Constitution is unclear. The SDG wants answers. The presidency says he is in charge. The 2027 election will decide if voters agree.