By Okiki Adeduyite
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has said the President can govern Nigeria from anywhere in the world, arguing that his constitutional powers are not limited by his physical location.
Bwala made the assertion in a post on X on Monday while reacting to questions from opposition figures over who is in charge of Nigeria as Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima are currently outside the country.
“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 argued that the President’s powers to govern Nigeria could be exercised even while he is outside the country.
“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,” he said.
Bwala’s comments came after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar questioned who was in charge of Nigeria following Tinubu’s extended stay abroad.
Atiku, in a statement titled “Who is in charge of Nigeria?” on Monday, asked whether Tinubu had transmitted a written declaration under Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution before leaving the country.
The provision states that when the President proceeds on vacation or is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office, he shall transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives that he is proceeding on vacation or otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office.
The Presidency has maintained that Tinubu continues to direct the affairs of government while abroad. The State House announced on Monday that the President had extended his working vacation by a few days and was expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend.
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