Oseni Explains Why Akpabio Rejected Acting President Title
Arise Television presenter Rufai Oseni has offered an explanation for Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s refusal to accept the description of Nigeria’s acting president during President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima’s absence from the country.
Speaking during Monday’s edition of the Morning Show, Oseni said Akpabio’s clarification was significant because some political associates had reportedly started referring to him as acting president while the two highest-ranking members of the executive were abroad.
Oseni said Akpabio therefore needed to publicly distance himself from the title and clarify his constitutional position.
The presenter, however, linked the development to a broader discussion about the relationship between the executive and legislature in Nigeria. He questioned whether the Senate president could lead the National Assembly in strongly challenging the executive when necessary.
According to Oseni, the legislature was designed under the principle of separation of powers to function as a co-equal arm of government.
He cited the National Assembly’s earlier endorsement of the state of emergency declared in Rivers State as an example of why some Nigerians may question its willingness to confront presidential decisions.
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Oseni recalled that the emergency declaration followed a political dispute in Rivers State and said the National Assembly subsequently endorsed the move through voice votes.
He argued that the episode should be considered when assessing expectations about the legislature’s ability to act independently of the executive.
The broadcaster also expressed concern about what he described as the tendency of political actors to focus heavily on presidential authority while overlooking the constitutional responsibilities of the legislature.
His comments came amid public attention on the extended stay of Tinubu outside Nigeria and the absence of both the President and Vice President at the same time.
The remarks have renewed discussion about Nigeria’s constitutional succession arrangements and the responsibilities of the National Assembly when the President and Vice President are unavailable.
