Senate President Godswill Akpabio has rejected being described as Nigeria’s “acting president”, insisting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains in charge of the country.
Akpabio spoke on Tuesday during the inauguration of roads constructed by the Akwa Ibom State Government in Ikot Ekpene.
He said Tinubu had not transferred presidential powers to him and continued to direct the affairs of Nigeria from abroad.
“Don’t call me acting president. Tinubu is still in power and still running the affairs of Nigeria,” Akpabio said.
“What he cannot do here, he is doing it from abroad,” he added.
The clarification followed a social media post by the Akwa Ibom State Government about a week earlier, which described Akpabio as “acting president”.
The description generated public debate over who was exercising presidential authority while Tinubu was outside Nigeria.
Akpabio’s remarks also come amid renewed attention to Tinubu’s absence from the country and his decision not to personally attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The Presidency has described Tinubu’s trip as a working vacation, saying he has continued to direct government affairs from abroad.
It also said Vice President Kashim Shettima was delegated to represent Nigeria at the UN General Assembly and deliver the country’s national statement.
Tinubu’s working vacation has since been extended by a few days, with the President expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend.
Akpabio’s statement therefore makes clear that he does not consider himself to have assumed the position of acting president, while Tinubu remains Nigeria’s substantive President.
