3:22Akwa Ibom Government Mistakenly Calls Akpabio Acting President
Published by YuToday Staff
1 day ago · 3:22 readSeptember 2, 2026
The Akwa Ibom State Government’s official Facebook page mistakenly described Senate President Godswill Akpabio as the “Acting President of Nigeria” in a post on Tuesday. The description was included during the reception of a new Airbus A220-300 aircraft for Ibom Air. The post was later edited to remove the reference, raising questions about the constitutional process for presidential succession.
Key takeaways
- The Akwa Ibom State Government’s Facebook page mistakenly labeled Senate President Godswill Akpabio as Nigeria’s Acting President.
- Nigeria’s constitution requires a formal declaration under Section 145 for an acting president to assume duties.
- Vice President Kashim Shettima is the constitutionally designated acting president during President Bola Tinubu’s absence.
- The post was corrected, but the error sparked discussions about constitutional compliance and official communications.
What Does Nigeria’s Constitution Say About Acting President?
Under Section 145 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, the president must formally transmit a written declaration to the Senate president and Speaker of the House of Representatives when proceeding on vacation or unable to perform duties. This ensures a transparent and constitutional transition of power. Without such a declaration, the vice president assumes acting presidential duties, not the Senate president. The Akwa Ibom government’s post appeared to bypass this legal requirement, sparking confusion about the proper protocol for presidential succession.
Why Was Akpabio Described as Acting President?
The error occurred during the official reception of Ibom Air’s new aircraft, where the Akwa Ibom State Government’s Facebook page posted: “Arrival of the Acting President of Nigeria, Sen. Godswill Akpabio.” The description was likely a misstatement rather than an intentional claim. Senate President Akpabio, who was present at the event, did not publicly address the error. The post was swiftly edited to remove the reference, but the initial wording drew immediate attention and criticism.
Current Presidential Succession in Nigeria
President Bola Tinubu is currently on a three-week vacation in Europe, while Vice President Kashim Shettima is abroad representing Nigeria at an African Union summit in Angola. According to constitutional provisions, the vice president should assume acting presidential duties in the president’s absence. However, no formal declaration has been made under Section 145. The Akwa Ibom government’s post, though corrected, highlighted the lack of clarity around the current succession process and raised concerns about potential constitutional breaches.
Reactions to the Social Media Error
The erroneous post by the Akwa Ibom State Government’s official social media account quickly went viral, drawing mixed reactions from the public and political observers. Some criticized the oversight as a sign of poor governance or misinformation, while others dismissed it as a harmless mistake. The government has not issued a formal statement explaining the error or the steps taken to prevent future occurrences. Political analysts suggest that such incidents underscore the need for clearer communication and adherence to constitutional procedures in matters of national leadership.
Constitutional Implications of the Error
While the post was corrected, the incident raises questions about the constitutional validity of any actions taken by a Senate president acting as president without a formal declaration. Legal experts note that the vice president is the constitutionally designated acting president in the president’s absence. The error, though minor, highlights the importance of strict adherence to constitutional provisions to avoid legal ambiguities. The Akwa Ibom government’s oversight serves as a reminder of the need for precision in official communications, especially on matters of national importance.
What happens next
As President Tinubu’s vacation continues, the focus remains on whether the vice president will assume acting presidential duties in line with constitutional provisions. The Akwa Ibom government’s oversight serves as a reminder for all government agencies to ensure accuracy in official communications. Political analysts will likely monitor any further developments to ensure constitutional compliance is maintained.
People also ask
Who is Nigeria’s Acting President during President Tinubu’s absence?
According to Nigeria’s constitution, the vice president, Kashim Shettima, is the designated acting president when the president is unable to perform duties.
What does Section 145 of Nigeria’s constitution say about acting president?
Section 145 requires the president to formally transmit a written declaration to the Senate president and Speaker of the House of Representatives when proceeding on vacation or unable to discharge duties.
Was the Akwa Ibom government’s post an official claim?
No, the post was an error and was later edited to remove the reference to Akpabio as acting president.
What are the implications of the error?
The error highlighted potential constitutional ambiguities and the need for strict adherence to official communication protocols in matters of national leadership.