By David Torough, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has extended his working vacation in Europe by a few days and is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend, the Presidency said on Monday, as questions mount over the constitutional implications of the prolonged absence of both the President and Vice-President Kashim Shettima from the country.

Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement that Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for London and later travelled to Paris, France, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré, whose business interests include Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group.

According to the Presidency, Tinubu has remained in contact with officials at home and continued to direct the affairs of government while away.

It cited his order for an independent investigation into the deaths of 37 illegal miners in Minna following their detention by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps as one example of the President’s continued involvement in national affairs.

Tinubu’s absence, however, has generated renewed debate after Shettima also travelled out of Nigeria on September 20 to represent the President at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The Presidency said Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, who has represented the President at official functions, would continue to do so while the President and Vice-President are abroad.

Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, also argued that Tinubu’s constitutional powers are not restricted by geography.

In a post on X, Bwala said the President could direct, delegate and administer the affairs of government from anywhere in the world, maintaining that the President remained in charge despite his physical absence from Nigeria.

The explanation has drawn criticism from opposition figures, who have raised questions about the application of Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar asked whether Tinubu had transmitted the written declaration contemplated under the provision before proceeding on vacation.

Section 145 provides that when the President proceeds on vacation or is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office, he is to transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives stating that he is proceeding on vacation or is otherwise unable to discharge his functions.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) also questioned the constitutional implications of the simultaneous absence of Tinubu and Shettima.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said on Channels Television’s Politics Today that the situation raised questions about who was constitutionally exercising presidential authority while both principal occupants of the executive offices were outside the country.

Abdullahi particularly questioned the role of the SGF, arguing that Akume is a presidential appointee and does not occupy a position in the constitutional line of succession to the presidency.

He asked who would exercise the powers of Commander-in-Chief in an emergency requiring the immediate direction of the armed forces, and called on the National Assembly to examine the constitutional issues arising from the situation.

The ADC spokesman also questioned whether the Constitution contemplated a prolonged “working vacation” during which a President could remain abroad while continuing to exercise presidential powers remotely.

He said the party was examining possible legal options, including the constitutional implications of the President’s absence.

The Presidency, however, has rejected suggestions that Tinubu’s absence from the country means he is not directing the affairs of government. It has also dismissed claims that his non-attendance at the UN General Assembly reflects an abdication of responsibility, noting that Shettima is representing Nigeria and is expected to deliver the country’s national statement.

Meanwhile, on the political front, the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, has been leading consultations with prominent traditional rulers alongside other party leaders.

With both Tinubu and Shettima currently outside Nigeria, attention is now focused on the President’s expected return at the weekend and the continuing debate over how presidential authority is exercised during extended periods of absence from the country.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Anglican Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Godwin Tersoo Yakela, has called on Christians to rededicate themselves to the work of God and ensure that the teachings of Jesus Christ are reflected in their daily lives.

Bishop Yakela made the call in a message during his enthronement service as the third Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Makurdi.

The newly enthroned Bishop expressed gratitude to God for his elevation, noting that “a man can receive nothing except it comes from God.” He pledged to dedicate himself to the service of God and work for the growth of the body of Christ.

Bishop Yakela said his administration would prioritise the welfare of clergy and church workers, assuring that he would lead the diocese with the fear of God.

While appreciating his predecessor, Bishop Emeritus Rt. Rev. Dr. Nathan Inyom, for his guidance and commitment to the growth and development of the Anglican Diocese of Makurdi, Bishop Yakela called on the laity to support the work of God and contribute generously to the development of the Church.

He expressed confidence that, with the support and cooperation of members of the Church, the Anglican Diocese of Makurdi would witness tremendous development under his leadership.

Speaking at the event, Bishop Emeritus Rt. Rev. Dr. Nathan Inyom described Bishop Yakela as a hardworking and focused man of God. He prayed for God’s blessings, wisdom and guidance upon the new Bishop, his family and ministry.

Also speaking, the Anglican Bishop of Lafia Diocese, Rt. Rev. Robinson Adeyi, who served as the supervisory Bishop of the Diocese before Bishop Yakela’s enthronement, said he was able to clear outstanding salary arrears owed clergy and church workers during his tenure.

Bishop Adeyi also highlighted the massive renovation of the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Wadata, Makurdi, which he said had given the cathedral a significant facelift.

He expressed confidence in Bishop Yakela’s ability to advance the work of the diocese and appealed to clergy, church workers and members of the laity to cooperate with the new Bishop to ensure a successful administration.

Bishop Adeyi further urged Bishop Yakela to redouble his efforts and build on the achievements recorded by the diocese under previous leadership.

The Chief Judge of Benue State, Hon. Justice Maurice Ikpambese, represented by Hon. Justice Mary Abounu, alongside her husband, the immediate past Deputy Governor of Benue State, Engr. Benson Abounu, described Bishop Yakela as a humble, God-fearing man of impeccable character.

They pledged their willingness to support the new Bishop whenever he called upon them.

The President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Benue State, represented by Justice Cecilia Bakare, as well as representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Benue State, also congratulated Bishop Yakela on his enthronement and prayed for wisdom, divine guidance and long life for him and his family.

A major highlight of the event was a reception organised in honour of the new Bishop, featuring the cutting of the enthronement cake, as well as food and drinks for guests and members of the Church.

Goodwill messages and gifts were presented by the diocesan archdeaconries, churches, Anglican schools, friends and well-wishers.

The climax of the celebration was the presentation of a newly purchased vehicle to Bishop Yakela by the diocese.
The Bishop of Lafia Diocese, Rt. Rev. Robinson Adeyi, offered prayers dedicating the vehicle to God’s care and guidance.

The event also featured dance and musical presentations by various churches.

Born in 1980, Rt. Rev. Dr. Godwin Tersoo Yakela was ordained a priest in 2002 and taught at the Anglican Theological College, Wusasa, Zaria, for seven years.
He was later redeployed to the Anglican Diocese of Makurdi in 2009, where he served the diocese in various capacities.

In 2017, Bishop Yakela was appointed Chaplain of the High Court of Justice, a position he held alongside other responsibilities, including Chairman of the Body of Clergy of the Anglican Diocese of Makurdi, until his election as Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Makurdi.

President Donald Trump has infused his ongoing feud with the White House press with a new level of acrimony.

Journalists from three major media outlets – CNN, Politico and MS Now – were denied access and had their press credentials confiscated on Saturday morning as they attempted to enter the White House grounds for work.

As media watchdog organisations and the White House Correspondents Association cry foul, Trump appears set to press ahead with a sweeping effort to punish these outlets.

In his Truth Social post announcing his decision on Friday, he said he was “banning” the organisations because “of their constant ‘reporting’ of fake news”.

In remarks later that day, he complained that “something is wrong with a country that can allow people to write purposely negative stories”.

“If they want to write them, that’s fine,” he continued. “I don’t have to let them into the people’s house”, he said, referring to the White House.

The president’s frustration at the media, however, came after a week of setbacks in which major institutions handed him a series of losses across his agenda.

First, the Supreme Court blocked his plan to restrict mail-in voting ahead of the midterms. This prompted Trump to lash out at the court’s justices including those he had appointed. “These are not the people I interviewed to serve on the United States Supreme Court,” he said.

The Federal Reserve, the US central bank, then raised interest rates after Trump had spent months arguing they should be cut. This was followed by a judge ordering his administration to give 30 days’ notice before making any changes to the Kennedy Center arts venue in Washington DC after the president warned it could be “ripped down”.

These headlines, combined with approval ratings that recently sunk to record lows for his second term, suggest Trump is facing challenging political headwinds.

His latest attack on the press, however, raises clear legal questions.

The First Amendment to the US Constitution forbids Congress from “abridging” the freedom of the press. It is language that courts have long interpreted as preventing the government from discriminating against the media based on the content of their coverage.

All three targeted news outlets have promised to file lawsuits challenging Trump’s decision.

Although the breadth of this move is unprecedented, it is far from the first time the Trump administration has attempted to limit or deny access to the White House to members of mainstream media outlets.

In his first term, the administration revoked CNN correspondent Jim Acosta’s press credentials, setting off a legal battle that was ultimately resolved in the journalist’s favour. It also temporarily suspended the pass of a reporter who had a heated argument with White House adviser Sebastian Gorka – a move that also was subsequently blocked by the courts.

Last year, the White House banned reporters for the Associated Press from participating in the president’s press pool – which allows media outlets access to smaller in-town and travelling presidential appearances – because the newswire service would not follow Trump’s move to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.

That dispute also led to a protracted – and yet to be fully resolved – legal battle, prompting the White House to change press pool rules to drop the guaranteed spot for all wire services.

The White House bans, however, represent a dramatic escalation.

The restrictions include access to the entirety of the White House grounds, not just the press pool. And they target entire news organisations, not just a single disfavoured correspondent.

While Trump has been clear about the motives behind his decision, he has shed little light on why he has acted now. He has regularly criticised his press coverage since he first entered national politics more than a decade ago, but he said on Friday there was no specific incident that prompted his announcement.

At the moment, however, the president is embattled.

Even beyond the week of clear setbacks, he is in the midst of an unpopular and difficult-to-resolve war of choice in Iran, which has led to a surge in energy and other consumer prices, deflating his standing with the American public.

Polls also suggest his party faces an uphill battle to retain control of the House of Representatives and perhaps the Senate in November’s crucial midterm congressional elections.

His attempts to improve the public’s mood by touting his accomplishments in campaign events and at his Republican Party’s convention earlier this month in Texas have, at least so far, proven ineffective.

There may be more behind Trump’s decision to lash out at the media this weekend. But it could also simply be an indication of presidential frustration in the face of events and circumstances, some of his own making, that are turning against him.