By Ghazali Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has departed Paris, France, for Nigeria after spending 30 days outside the country, bringing to an end a European trip that began as a three-week working vacation but was later extended.
Tinubu left Abuja on August 30 for London before proceeding to Paris, where he spent the remainder of his stay.
He departed France on Tuesday, September 29, and is expected to arrive in Lagos before continuing with engagements in the country.
His prolonged absence, however, has triggered a political and constitutional controversy, with opposition politicians and groups questioning whether the President complied with the provisions of Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution.
The controversy intensified after the Presidency initially announced a three-week vacation, meaning Tinubu was expected back around September 21.
On September 21, the Presidency announced that his stay had been extended by a few days, with a new return expected at the weekend. That return was subsequently pushed to Tuesday, September 29.
Impeachment calls emerge
The dispute has gone beyond demands for an explanation, with several political figures and groups calling for impeachment proceedings against Tinubu.
Paul Ibe, media aide to African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, called on the National Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the President, arguing that Tinubu failed to comply with the constitutional procedure for presidential absence.
Similarly, Social Democratic Party presidential candidate Adewole Adebayo called for Tinubu’s immediate impeachment, alleging that the President breached the Constitution by remaining abroad without formally transmitting presidential powers to Vice-President Kashim Shettima.
It was also reported that elder statesman and former presidential candidate Chekwas Okorie described the alleged failure to comply with Section 145 as an impeachable offence.
The calls have not been limited to political statements. On September 28, the African Action Congress, the party of 2027 presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja challenging Tinubu’s failure to transfer power to Shettima during the extended vacation.
The AAC is asking the court to determine whether Tinubu could proceed on the vacation without transmitting a written declaration to the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, as contemplated by Section 145.
What the Constitution says
Section 145(1) of the 1999 Constitution provides that when the President proceeds on vacation or is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office, he is to transmit a written declaration to the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, after which the Vice-President performs the functions of President in an acting capacity.
Section 145(2) further provides for action by the National Assembly if the President fails to transmit the declaration within 21 days.
Some lawmakers under the Save Democracy Group have consequently called for the National Assembly to reconvene and examine whether the constitutional requirements were met.
The Presidency, however, has maintained that Tinubu remained in charge of government throughout his absence and continued to communicate with officials in Nigeria.
It has also argued that the President continued performing his official duties from abroad, while Shettima represented him at some official engagements.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has similarly maintained that there was no vacancy in the presidency and that Tinubu remained the President despite his absence from Nigeria.
Tinubu heads to Lagos
After leaving Paris, Tinubu is heading first to Lagos, where the Presidency says he will hold meetings with political leaders and associates as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
He is also expected to attend the October 1 premiere of a film honouring the late MKO Abiola at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos.
His European trip included meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron, businessman Vincent Bolloré and First HoldCo Chairman Femi Otedola.
He also witnessed the signing of an agreement involving the Ogun State Government and DP World for a proposed $7 billion Gateway Deep Seaport and Blue Marine Economic Zone.
Tinubu’s return therefore comes as the political controversy over his month-long absence moves beyond public criticism into a court case, demands for constitutional clarification and calls by political figures for impeachment proceedings.
