Dalung accuses Tinubu of constitutional breach over ‘working vacation’
Former Minister Accuses President Tinubu of Constitutional Violation
By Adegboyega Adeleye
Former Minister of Youth and Sports Solomon Dalung has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of violating the Nigerian Constitution during his extended absence from the country. Dalung’s comments came in response to the President’s departure, which the Presidency has described as a “working vacation.”
In an interview on Daily Trust’s News Hour on Monday, Dalung disputed the legality of the term “working vacation,” asserting that it is not recognized within the constitutional framework of Nigeria. He emphasized that the Constitution explicitly outlines the necessary actions when a President goes on leave.
“The Nigerian president proceeded on vacation. It was announced that he was going to proceed on a working vacation,” Dalung said. “The concept of a working vacation is incongruent and unknown in our Constitution.
“There is nothing called working vacation or working leave. The Constitution does not recognize that. The media cannot amend the Constitution of Nigeria with a press statement.”
Dalung further argued that the crux of the issue lies not in whether Tinubu has been performing official duties from abroad, but in whether he has adhered to the constitutional requirements regarding presidential absence.
“The issue here is not that the absence of the president has affected anything; it is a constitutional issue that is dealt with in Section 145, Subsection 1,” Dalung stated. “The rule is clear: when the president proceeds on vacation, the Constitution requires that a vacuum shall not exist. He must transmit power to his vice president before leaving.”
Dalung also questioned why the National Assembly has not invoked Section 145(2) of the Constitution, which dictates that action must be taken if the President fails to transmit the required declaration within 21 days of absence.
“If the President fails to delegate his authority within that time frame, the National Assembly, with a simple majority, is mandated to empower the Vice President to act in his stead,” he noted.
President Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for what was initially described as a three-week vacation in Europe. The State House later confirmed that he had extended his trip and would return over the weekend.
Dalung’s remarks have sparked a broader debate regarding the constitutional implications of the President’s prolonged absence. Senate President Godswill Akpabio, however, asserted that there is no leadership vacuum, claiming that Tinubu continues to govern the country from abroad.
Addressing concerns about the President’s extended absence, Dalung insisted that Nigerians deserve clear information regarding Tinubu’s whereabouts and activities.
“We have to depend on state media for transparent information about the President’s location and his actions. They must be held accountable for providing the public with this information,” he said.
Dalung also criticized the National Assembly’s inaction regarding the constitutional provision, concluding that the current situation has led to what he termed “democratic anarchy.”
