Lawmakers Demand National Assembly Recall Over Tinubu’s Extended Absence
A group of federal lawmakers under the aegis of Save Democracy has called for the immediate reconvening of the National Assembly over President Bola Tinubu’s prolonged absence from Nigeria.
The lawmakers raised concerns over what they described as uncertainty surrounding compliance with Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, particularly the requirement for the President to transmit a written declaration to the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives when proceeding on vacation.
In a statement signed by Hon. Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante of the NDC and Hon. Abubakar Yahaya of the APC, the group demanded that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Abbas Tajudeen disclose whether President Tinubu transmitted the constitutionally required declaration before leaving the country.
The Presidency had announced that Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30, 2026, for a three-week vacation, before subsequently confirming that his stay abroad had been extended by a few days.
The lawmakers argued that Section 145(1) provides for the Vice President to perform the functions of President as Acting President once the President transmits the required declaration.
They further cited Section 145(2), which provides that where the President fails to transmit the declaration within 21 days, the National Assembly may, by a simple-majority resolution of both chambers, mandate the Vice President to perform the functions of President as Acting President until the President communicates his availability to resume his duties.
The group therefore questioned whether the declaration had been transmitted to the National Assembly leadership.
“If it was transmitted, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives should immediately make that fact clear to Nigerians,” the lawmakers said.
They added that if no declaration had been transmitted and the 21-day period had elapsed, the National Assembly had a constitutional responsibility to act.
The lawmakers also rejected the argument that the President’s ability to communicate with government officials or issue directives from abroad could replace the constitutional procedure.
“The question is not whether modern technology allows the President to work from another country. The question is whether the Constitution has been obeyed,” they stated.
The group cited constitutional practice in Botswana, where presidential authority can be temporarily transferred when the president is outside the country, while stressing that Nigeria’s constitutional framework is different.
It urged the leadership of both chambers to formally disclose the status of any declaration transmitted by Tinubu and, if necessary, invoke Section 145(2).
“ No individual is greater than the Constitution. No political convenience can override an express constitutional obligation,” the statement added.
The Senate and House of Representatives are currently on annual recess and are expected to resume on Tuesday next week.
The lawmakers raised concerns over what they described as uncertainty surrounding compliance with Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, particularly the requirement for the President to transmit a written declaration to the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives when proceeding on vacation.
In a statement signed by Hon. Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante of the NDC and Hon. Abubakar Yahaya of the APC, the group demanded that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Abbas Tajudeen disclose whether President Tinubu transmitted the constitutionally required declaration before leaving the country.
The Presidency had announced that Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30, 2026, for a three-week vacation, before subsequently confirming that his stay abroad had been extended by a few days.
The lawmakers argued that Section 145(1) provides for the Vice President to perform the functions of President as Acting President once the President transmits the required declaration.
They further cited Section 145(2), which provides that where the President fails to transmit the declaration within 21 days, the National Assembly may, by a simple-majority resolution of both chambers, mandate the Vice President to perform the functions of President as Acting President until the President communicates his availability to resume his duties.
The group therefore questioned whether the declaration had been transmitted to the National Assembly leadership.
“If it was transmitted, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives should immediately make that fact clear to Nigerians,” the lawmakers said.
They added that if no declaration had been transmitted and the 21-day period had elapsed, the National Assembly had a constitutional responsibility to act.
The lawmakers also rejected the argument that the President’s ability to communicate with government officials or issue directives from abroad could replace the constitutional procedure.
“The question is not whether modern technology allows the President to work from another country. The question is whether the Constitution has been obeyed,” they stated.
The group cited constitutional practice in Botswana, where presidential authority can be temporarily transferred when the president is outside the country, while stressing that Nigeria’s constitutional framework is different.
It urged the leadership of both chambers to formally disclose the status of any declaration transmitted by Tinubu and, if necessary, invoke Section 145(2).
“ No individual is greater than the Constitution. No political convenience can override an express constitutional obligation,” the statement added.
The Senate and House of Representatives are currently on annual recess and are expected to resume on Tuesday next week.
![Mass Defection Hit Akoko-Edo APC As Top Leaders, Notable Supporters Dump Party After Reps Primary [SEE PHOTOS]](/storage/281/467303.jpg)
