Political temperature in the Federal Capital Territory hit boiling point after the National Assembly leadership flatly rejected aggressive calls from federal lawmakers to cut its recess short and hold an emergency session over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s extended working vacation in Europe.
The controversy flared up after a cross-party coalition of lawmakers under the “Save Democracy Group” raised serious constitutional alarms, demanding that both legislative chambers immediately reconvene. The group argued that with the President’s initial 21-day vacation period expiring without explicit public confirmation of a Section 145 power transfer to Vice President Kashim Shettima, parliament must invoke constitutional measures to mandate an Acting President.
However, the Senate firmly shut down the demand, dismissing the push as political grandstanding aimed at creating unnecessary anxiety. Speaking on behalf of the red chamber, Senate spokesperson Senator Yemi Adaramodu declared that there is “no reason whatsoever” for an emergency recall, maintaining that parliament is a lawmaking body rather than a political drama stage. Adaramodu asserted that effective governance relies on functionality rather than physical geography, stressing that the President remains in constant communication and actively directs state affairs remotely.
Backing earlier statements by Senate President Godswill Akpabio that Aso Rock suffers no power vacuum, the Senate confirmed it will stick strictly to its scheduled resumption timeline. The leadership urged political actors to stop turning routine executive leave into legislative crises.
Do you think the National Assembly should have reconvened to verify constitutional compliance, or is running the country remotely completely fine? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
