Umar Sani, a former Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo, has stated that Nigeria’s president and vice president are not expected to be outside the country at the same time due to governance and security considerations.
Speaking in a video shared by Channels Television, Sani recounted an incident during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan to illustrate the practice. According to him, there was a period when he accompanied Sambo to Saudi Arabia for the Umrah pilgrimage when an urgent situation arose back home.
He explained that Jonathan needed to embark on an international trip and required the vice president to be present in Nigeria. As a result, the president contacted Sambo to inquire about his return date and requested that he shorten his stay abroad.
Sani said the vice president adjusted his schedule, cutting short the pilgrimage and returning to Nigeria earlier than planned. He noted that the decision was made immediately after completing the essential rites of Umrah, foregoing additional rest days initially included in their itinerary.
The account highlights what Sani described as an established convention in Nigeria’s leadership structure, where at least one of the two top officials remains in the country at all times to ensure continuity of governance and prompt response to national matters.
