Former presidential spokesman, Laolu Akande, has expressed concerns about the absence of both President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima from Nigeria at the same time. During an appearance on Channels TV on October 14, Akande stated that it is not ideal for both top leaders to leave the country simultaneously, as governance requires constant attention.
"It is important for one of them to be on the ground because governance demands hands-on leadership," Akande emphasized. He also pointed out a longstanding issue of trust between the President and Vice President, which he believes has persisted over time.
President Tinubu left Nigeria on October 2, 2024, for a two-week working leave in the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, Vice President Shettima departed on October 16 for a two-day visit to Sweden, where he is representing Nigeria in bilateral discussions with the Scandinavian country.
Despite the concerns raised, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga released a statement assuring Nigerians that both leaders remain "fully engaged with the nation's affairs" during their travels, and there is no gap in governance.
Akande reflected on his experience serving for eight years, noting that such a scenario was avoided under previous administrations. He mentioned that during his tenure, it was a priority to ensure either the President or Vice President remained in Nigeria, with only one exception during the funeral of the Queen of England, which coincided with the UN General Assembly (UNGA). He recalled several instances where the Vice President had to cut short foreign trips to ensure continuity in governance while the President was away.
Akande’s comments have stirred discussions on the importance of maintaining leadership presence in the country to manage governance effectively.
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