In a startling turn of events, the simultaneous absence of Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima from Nigeria has sparked widespread outrage and concern. High Chief Peter Ameh, Chairman of the Democratic Accountability and Electoral Reforms (CODER), has in a scathing press release, in response to the views of Doyin Okupe that the duo’s absence does not matter, condemned the leaders’ decision to leave the country amidst a deepening economic crisis.

Ameh’s statement highlighted the critical roles that the president and vice president play in shaping the country’s economy, especially during times of crisis. “In presidential systems like Nigeria, the president and vice president play critical roles in shaping the economy due to the intricate interplay between their roles which will help to stabilize the balance of forces in the management of the country’s affairs,” Ameh stated.

He emphasized that their absence can lead to delays in decision-making, exacerbating economic challenges.

CODER described the leaders’ simultaneous absence as an “unacceptable dereliction of duty.”

Chief Ameh pointed out that Nigeria is currently grappling with a plethora of challenges, including a struggling economy, worsening insecurity, and a rapidly depreciating currency. “The leaders’ decision to abandon their posts is irresponsible and unpatriotic,” he asserted.

He warned that the resulting vacuum in governance is a recipe for disaster, exacerbating the already dire situation. “With the naira plummeting to historic lows and inflation soaring, the country desperately needs steadfast leadership, not absenteeism,” he said.

The group noted that this egregious display of leadership lapse undermines the trust of Nigerians and sends a disturbing signal to international partners. “How can a nation expect to attract investment and support when its leaders are AWOL?” he questioned.

CODER also criticized the Presidency’s reassurances, describing them as hollow. “The absence of both leaders creates an undeniable power vacuum. Critical decisions are stalled, and the country’s fragile economy teeters on the brink,” Ameh noted.

He called for President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima to return immediately and attend to the pressing issues facing the nation. “Nigerians demand better. They deserve leaders who prioritize the nation’s interests above personal convenience,” he declared.

Ameh’s statement serves as a stark reminder of the systemic failures that have plagued Nigeria for decades. “It’s time for accountability, transparency, and decisive action. The nation cannot afford such leadership lapses,” he urged. He also called on the National Assembly to take concrete steps to address this governance deficit and ensure that the country’s leaders are held accountable for their actions.

The reaction from CODER underscored the importance of leadership presence during economic challenges, citing examples from other countries. “If Okupe is looking for examples of countries where the absence of leaders had significant economic consequences, consider Argentina’s 2001 Economic Crisis and Greece’s 2015 Economic Crisis,” Ameh suggested. These examples, he argued, demonstrate the importance of leadership presence during economic challenges.

Ameh’s press release is seen as a powerful call to action, urging Nigeria’s leaders to return and address the nation’s pressing issues. “The nation cannot afford such leadership lapses,” he reiterated, calling for accountability, transparency, and decisive action to steer Nigeria through its current crisis.

StreetReporters.ng

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