“Should Tinubu and Shettima leave Nigeria at the same time?” — Akande blasts

A fresh controversy is brewing as former presidential spokesman Laolu Akande voices concerns over President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima embarking on foreign trips at the same time, leaving Nigeria without its top two leaders on the ground.

Akande, speaking on Channels TV, warned that such simultaneous absences could create a governance vacuum, especially when the nation’s trust in leadership is still fragile.

With President Tinubu on a two-week work leave in the United Kingdom since October 2, 2024, and Shettima now in Sweden for a two-day bilateral visit, Akande stressed that “the work of governance requires a lot of hand-holding.”

Read More:

Tinubu demands justice after inhumane treatment of Super Eagles in Libya

Kashim Shettima Meets Chinese President Xi Jiping

He noted that during his eight years in the presidency, such overlapping absences rarely occurred, and when they did, as in the case of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral coinciding with the UN General Assembly, efforts were made to ensure one leader was always on the ground.

This situation has reignited questions about the balance between global diplomacy and ensuring a strong, visible leadership presence at home.

While presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga has reassured Nigerians that both leaders remain fully engaged and that no governance vacuum exists, Akande’s remarks suggest that physical presence still plays a crucial role in maintaining leadership stability.

With concerns swirling around leadership presence during crucial moments, Nigerians are left wondering: Is virtual governance enough to bridge the gap, or does the nation need boots on the ground?