The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for not handing over power to Vice President Kashim Shettima during his recent trip abroad, as reported by VANGUARD.
In a statement, the group’s National President, Isah Abubakar, said Tinubu’s action went against democratic rules.
He said the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria clearly states what should happen when the president is not available, according to him, the president should have passed power to his deputy during his absence.
The group said that ignoring this part of the Constitution shows a lack of respect for Nigeria’s democracy.
They believe it could create problems in the future and make people lose trust in the government.
The youth group also said the president’s actions could make Northerners feel left out.
They claimed that the refusal to involve Vice President Shettima adds to the feeling that the current administration is not fair to the North.
They pointed out that past leaders respected the Constitution.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, for example, handed over power to his deputy, Namadi Sambo, when he travelled abroad.
Also, the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua allowed then Vice President Jonathan to take over duties during his illness in 2010.
The youth group said these past leaders showed commitment to the rule of law and national unity, they said President Tinubu’s decision weakens the role of the vice president and centralises power too much.
They called on all Nigerians to speak up, asking citizens to join in demanding that the president follow the Constitution, according to them, democracy will only grow when leaders respect the law and treat all regions fairly.
“President Goodluck Jonathan transferred power to then Vice President Namadi Sambo when he travelled abroad for medical reasons.”
“Similarly, late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, despite his ill health, adhered to constitutional norms and delegated power to then Vice President Jonathan in 2010.”
“In stark contrast, President Tinubu’s refusal to empower Vice President Shettima reflects a worrying trend towards centralisation of authority and exclusion of key constitutional roles,” they said.
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