Former presidential aide Reuben Abati criticizes African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar’s remarks about President Bola Tinubu’s three-week vacation in Europe. Abati says the questions raised by Atiku are “embarrassing” and not properly researched.
Abati argues that Tinubu has a constitutional right to travel, provided his absence does not exceed the 21-day threshold referenced in Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution. He adds that if the president’s time away stays within that limit, there is no requirement for a formal transfer of power. He also points to the need to focus on the situation involving simultaneous leadership absence.
The outlets note that Atiku previously condemned Tinubu’s absence, describing it as creating a “vacuum of political leadership” amid Nigeria’s economic hardship. Abati counters that the opposition should prioritize governance issues rather than questioning the president’s right to travel, while acknowledging that the ruling party frames the trip as a chance to “refuel.”
