JUST IN: AAC sues Tinubu, NASS over Europe vacation

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The African Action Congress has dragged President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly and the Attorney General of the Federation before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the President’s alleged failure to notify the National Assembly before embarking on a month-long vacation in Europe.

The party, in an originating summons filed on Monday, asked the court to declare that Tinubu breached Section 145(1) of the 1999 Constitution by leaving Nigeria without transmitting a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2358/2026, listed Tinubu, the AGF, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly as defendants.

The AAC, whose address was given as House TD7, Global Estate, Apo Primary, Abuja, claimed that Tinubu left Nigeria for Europe on August 30, 2026, and remained there as of the date the suit was filed.

It is seeking a declaration that, by “the express provisions of Section 145 (1)” of the Constitution, the President is “mandated to compulsorily transmit a written declaration” to the Senate President and the Speaker “before proceeding on vacation for any number of days.”

The party also wants the court to declare that the alleged failure to transmit the declaration before the trip “is undemocratic and a gross violation of the Constitution.”

The AAC further challenged the National Assembly’s alleged failure to convene and pass a resolution authorising the Vice-President to act as President after Tinubu had spent more than 21 days on vacation.

It asked the court to hold that the alleged failure by the National Assembly to act was “unlawful, unconstitutional and a violation of the mandatory duty imposed on the National Assembly under Section 145 (2)” of the Constitution.

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The party is also seeking “an order of perpetual injunction” restraining Tinubu from embarking on any future vacation, whether within or outside Nigeria, without first transmitting the required written declaration to the Senate President and the Speaker.

The suit asks the court to determine, among other questions, whether a “purposive and dispassionate interpretation” of Section 145(1) permits the President to proceed on vacation without transmitting a written declaration to the National Assembly.

The AAC filed the case pursuant to Order 3 Rule 9 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019, and Sections 6 and 145 of the Constitution.

The originating summons directs the defendants to enter an appearance within 30 days of service, warning that failure to do so could lead to such orders and proceedings as the court may consider just and expedient.

The suit was filed by Inibehe Effiong of Inibehe Effiong Chambers, counsel to the AAC.

No date has been fixed for hearing.

Nathaniel Shaibu is a correspondent at The PUNCH with three years of professional journalism experience. He covers the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), civil society, religion, and the Ministries of Women Affairs and Youth Development. In addition to his primary beats, Nathaniel also reports on politics, metro, security, and judicial matters, bringing clarity and balance to a wide range of public-interest stories. His work reflects hands-on newsroom experience, strong beat knowledge, and a commitment to accurate, responsible journalism.