- Laolu Akande, former presidential spokesman, expressed concerns about President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima’s simultaneous foreign trips.
- Akande emphasized the importance of one leader remaining in the country for effective governance.
- President Tinubu is on a two-week work leave in the UK, starting October 2, 2024.
- Vice President Shettima visited Sweden for bilateral engagements on October 16.
- Presidential Spokesman Bayo Onanuga assured that both leaders remain engaged with national affairs despite their absence.
- Akande cited a rare instance during his eight-year service where both leaders were abroad simultaneously.
- Concerns surround potential risks of both leaders being absent, including trust and communication issues.
Laolu Akande, former presidential spokesman, has expressed concerns that President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima’s simultaneous foreign trips may not be ideal for governance. Akande emphasized the importance of one leader remaining in the country, as governance requires continuous hands-on management . He noted that during his eight years of service, instances of both leaders being abroad simultaneously were rare, citing an exception during the burial of the Queen of England and the United Nations General Assembly .
Akande’s comments come as President Tinubu departed for a two-week work leave in the United Kingdom on October 2, 2024, while Vice President Shettima left for Sweden on October 16 for bilateral engagements . However, Presidential Spokesman Bayo Onanuga assured that despite their absence, both leaders remain fully engaged with national affairs, with no vacuum in governance .
It’s worth noting that Akande’s concerns highlight the potential risks of both leaders being absent, including the impact on trust and communication between the President and Vice President .
