President Bola Tinubu’s recent decision to embark on a two-week annual leave in the United Kingdom without transmitting power to the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, as required by Section 145(1) of the constitution is a violation of the rule of law.

Development Diaries reports that the president, on 02 October, left Nigeria for the United Kingdom for a two-week vacation.

Meanwhile, the president’s Senior Special Assistant on Political and Other Matters, Ibrahim Masari, announced over the weekend that President Tinubu had left the United Kingdom for Paris, France, in continuation of his annual leave.

The constitution expressly mandates that whenever the president proceeds on vacation, he must formally notify the National Assembly and hand over executive powers to the vice president.

By failing to comply with this provision, the president has chosen to disregard the very document that serves as the foundation of Nigeria’s democracy.

This breach is particularly disappointing because, upon assuming office, President Tinubu vowed to uphold the rule of law and restore trust in government institutions.

Recall that during his inauguration on 29 May, 2023, he assured that he would govern according to the Nigerian constitution and the rule of law.

However, over one year down the line, the president’s words lack reassurance as far as promoting the rule of law in the country goes.

His actions thus far have been inconsistent with this promise.

Moreover, Tinubu’s failure to respect the constitutional transfer of power recalls similar actions by past leaders that led to political instability, most notably during the late Umar Yar’Adua administration.

The inclusion of Section 145(2) was meant to prevent such scenarios, yet President Tinubu seems intent on repeating history by ignoring legal safeguards, endangering both governance and national stability.

The president’s growing tendency to ignore the constitution undermines the very principles of justice, accountability, and democratic governance he swore to defend.

It is also more disappointing that the National Assembly failed to raise their voices against such constitutional impunity.

Development Diaries therefore calls on President Tinubu to match his words with action in respecting the rule of law by demonstrating it through consistent and transparent actions.

Photo source: Bola Tinubu