Why Akpabio Rejected ‘Acting President’ Title — Rufai Oseni

Why Akpabio Rejected ‘Acting President’ Title — Rufai Oseni

 

LAGOS — Arise Television Morning Show anchor, Rufai Oseni, has offered insight into why Senate President Godswill Akpabio reportedly rejected the title of “Acting President” during the recent absence of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima from the country.

 

In a commentary that has sparked widespread debate across political circles, Oseni suggested that Akpabio’s refusal to embrace the title was not merely a matter of constitutional propriety, but a reflection of the legislature’s unwillingness to assert its independence as a co-equal branch of government.

 

The controversy arose when, with both the President and Vice President out of the country, some political associates reportedly began referring to Akpabio as the acting president. Akpabio swiftly moved to quell the speculation, clarifying that he remains the Senate President and that there is no vacancy in the presidency, noting that President Tinubu was still running the country from abroad.

 

However, Oseni, speaking on his morning show, argued that the situation raises fundamental questions about the balance of power in Nigeria’s presidential system. He contended that the Senate President’s eagerness to dismiss the acting title highlights a deeper issue: the National Assembly’s reluctance to genuinely challenge or check the executive arm of government.

 

Oseni pointed to the legislature’s earlier endorsement of a state of emergency in Rivers State as evidence that the current leadership under Akpabio would not stand up for the independence of the parliament. He questioned whether a Senate President who shies away from the constitutional implications of a power vacuum can effectively champion the legislature’s role as a separate arm of government.

 

“The refusal to accept the acting president title is not just about protocol; it is about the willingness of the National Assembly to assert its constitutional independence,” Oseni said during the broadcast. “If the Senate President cannot stand up for the legislature in a moment like this, it raises serious questions about the checks and balances in our democracy.”

 

The political analyst’s remarks have reignited conversations about the relationship between the executive and the legislature under the current administration, with critics arguing that the National Assembly has become increasingly subservient to the presidency.

 

While Akpabio’s allies maintain that his decision was a mark of respect for constitutional order and the sitting president, Oseni’s analysis suggests that the move may have wider implications for the balance of power in Abuja.

 

As the debate continues, observers say the incident underscores the ongoing tension between constitutional duty and political reality in Nigeria’s democratic experiment.

 

Why Akpabio Rejected ‘Acting President’ Title — Rufai Oseni