AAC Sues President Tinubu, AGF, and National Assembly Over Failure to Hand Over Power to Vice President Shettima
The African Action Congress (AAC) has dragged President Bola Tinubu to court over his failure to temporarily hand over power to Vice President Kashim Shettima while on vacation abroad.
The lawsuit was filed on September 28 at the Federal High Court in Abuja by legal counsel Inibehe Effiong. It targets three key defendants:
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
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The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF)
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The National Assembly
AAC’s 2027 presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, was also present at the court during the filing.
What Is the Suit About?
President Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for a working vacation in Europe and later announced an extension on September 21.
According to an affidavit by AAC National Secretary Oshiokhue Philip Ikpeminoghena, the President failed to transmit a formal written declaration to the National Assembly before leaving.
The party argues that this action violates Section 145(1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria. This constitutional rule requires the President to notify the Senate President and the Speaker of the House when embarking on vacation so the Vice President can step in as Acting President.
Key Demands Made in Court
In the suit filed under Order 3 Rule 9 of the Federal High Court Rules, the AAC is asking the court to:
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Interpret Section 145(1): Clarify whether a Nigerian president can legally go on an extended vacation without formally notifying lawmakers.
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Issue a Injunction: Stop President Tinubu and future presidents from leaving the country on vacation without transmitting the required constitutional notice.
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Order Constitutional Compliance: Mandate relevant authorities to immediately transfer executive power to Vice President Shettima whenever the President is away for an extended period.
What Happens Next?
The court has directed the defendants to enter an official appearance within 30 days of receiving the court summons. As of now, no specific date has been set for the first hearing.
