The African Democratic Congress has called on the National Assembly to begin constitutional steps to determine whether President Bola Tinubu remains fit to carry out the responsibilities of his office.
The opposition party made the demand on Friday in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, following the controversy surrounding the leadership of the Border Communities Development Agency.
According to the ADC, the reported disagreement over the agency’s leadership has raised concerns about who is making key decisions within the Federal Government. The party argued that reports suggesting an official who was allegedly removed by presidential directive is still occupying the office and carrying out official duties have created doubts about the authority of presidential decisions.
The party said the development goes beyond a dispute over one government appointment and raises wider questions about the control and administration of the presidency. It maintained that if presidential directives can be ignored without consequences, it points to deeper problems within the government.
The ADC also referred to what it described as a pattern of confusion in the current administration. It cited the controversy involving the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, which it claimed operated despite lacking legal backing, as well as the suspension of the Cybersecurity Levy and the withdrawal of the Expatriate Employment Levy after public criticism and opposition from business groups.
According to the party, repeated policy reversals have created uncertainty within government institutions and affected public confidence in official decisions. It argued that inconsistent actions could make investors hesitant, create confusion within the civil service and weaken confidence in public administration.
The opposition party said Nigerians deserve clarity on who is exercising the constitutional powers of the president, including decisions relating to appointments and government agencies. It maintained that questions surrounding the BCDA leadership dispute and other policy decisions should be addressed through constitutional means.
The ADC therefore asked the National Assembly to carry out its oversight responsibilities by examining whether President Tinubu remains capable of personally carrying out the duties of his office as required by the Constitution. It also argued that if the president is no longer able to exercise full authority over his administration, he should step aside.
The party’s position follows reports of conflicting claims over the leadership of the Border Communities Development Agency despite an earlier announcement from the Presidency regarding appointments. The controversy has renewed public discussion about the implementation of government appointments and policy decisions under the current administration.