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Tinubu Extends Vacation as Absence Triggers Constitutional Questions

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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.

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They Planted Juju in my Jacket at Davido’s House – Peruzzi

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Singer Peruzzi has narrated how a charm was planted in his jacket during his stay at Davido’s house.

Peruzzi was signed to Davido’s record label, DMW, in 2017.

Davido dissolved the label in April 2024.

However, discussing his experience during his stay at Davido’s house, Peruzzi narrated how a charm was planted in his jacket.

Speaking in a video interview online, he said, “I took a shower one evening, like at 6 pm. Just a shower and then went to go and meet them back downstairs because I was chilling there before I went upstairs in David house when I was still living there.

“And then I was done taking the shower. I go to my wardrobe to get my clothes, and then one of my jackets is just telling me, ‘Pull me, wear me, wear me, wear me.’ I don’t know how to explain it, but I was just having the urge to wear it.”So, I carry am (the jacket), and something just dropped inside, and when I looked, it was jaz, better juju inside my room. A jacket that just came from the laundry.”

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AFSNET Business Conference Kicks off in Calabar

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From Ene Asuquo, Calabar

The 6th African sub – sovereign Governments Network Investment Conference has started in Calabar the cross river state capital as Afreximbank opens a $2 billion tap for Cross River State and other African sub-sovereign governments for the financing of bankable projects that can turn around their economies.

Making the disclosure in Calabar in a press briefing, The Director, Trade Facilitation and Investment Promotion, Afreximbank, Dr.

Gainmore Zanamwe, said the 6th African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network Investment Conference (AfSNET 2026) is going to be a three day event, running from Thursday 12th to Saturday 14th November, 2026.

Dr Zanamwe stated that, the Bank has the facility ready to finance. According to him, “Some people say funding is a problem. From Africa we say no. The $2 billion is there,” Zanamwe said. “Go and tell your people. You people in the media, go and tell people that money is there,” stressing that the bank is fully prepared to spend the next three days, November 12, 13 and 14, in Calabar enlightening states on how to access the fund. “How do you then access the funding?  He asked.

“That is what we’ll be telling everybody in the course of the next three days. We’ll be showing you how you can tap into the $2 billion to do your projects. We’ll make it very simple.” He maintained.

Zanamwe stated that only states that present properly packaged, bankable projects will benefit. “We’ll start tomorrow with a training on how to identify projects in your states. Some normally start by saying there’s a project in this, they then run to the investors. It doesn’t work that way. We’ll be breaking it down,” he said.

“We would like, under the leadership of your Governor, to be able to start from the vision and say this is the vision in terms of promoting trade investment in your states. Once you start from that big vision, you cannot do everything. You need to focus. Identify two or three sectors that you really need to focus on and promote,” he added.

He explained that capital can be raised in two ways: by preparing a project and making it bankable for financial institutions like Afreximbank, or by preparing a pitch deck to generate interest from potential investors.

He also promoted Africa Direct Investment, saying an investor from Lagos or South Africa can as well enjoy the same privileges and incentives given to an investor from America.

He stressed that governors will pitch their projects on November 13 and 14, adding that in the last five years, the initiative has facilitated opportunities worth more than $3 billion, trained over 2,000 people, and worked with 21 African countries.

Also speaking on behalf of Governor Bassey Otu, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Pastor Ekpenyong Cobham, welcomed investors to the state.

“With Cross River State’s agrarian economy being rejuvenated by this administration, for the first time a very deliberate attempt is being taken to be able to make sure that our diverse products are being properly processed to meet international standards,” Cobham said.

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RMAFC Advocates Fair Share of 13 Per Cent Revenue Derivation Among Oil Producing States

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By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has advocated a fair distribution of the 13 per cent derivation revenue among states that produce oil and gas.

The Chairman of the commission, Mohammed Shehu, made the appeal on Thursday in Owerri during the inauguration of an oil and gas wells verification exercise.

Shehu explained that the commission’s constitutional responsibilities under the 1999 Constitution, as amended, include monitoring revenue generated into and disbursed from the Federation Account, including funds allocated under the 13 per cent derivation arrangement.

He said the exercise would focus on identifying and confirming the geographical coordinates of disputed oil and gas wells, alongside newly drilled wells between 2017 and 2026.

According to him, an Inter-Agency Technical Committee established for the assignment would carry out physical inspections of the affected wells, verify their locations and ensure that their coordinates were accurately recorded using officially approved maps.

He added that the committee would also take relevant court judgments into consideration when addressing disputes involving oil and gas well locations.

Shehu said the committee would forward its technical findings directly to the commission for review, ratification and eventual adoption.

He described the verification exercise as essential to ensuring that revenue allocations from the Federation Account are accurate and fairly distributed, explaining that the geographical positions of oil and gas wells determine the financial entitlements of producing states.

“This exercise represents a crucial phase in establishing statutory accuracy, technical fidelity, and fiscal equity within the Federation Account allocation framework,” he said.

He further explained that the precise coordinates and geographical positions of oil and gas wells have direct implications for the legal and financial rights of the respective states.

The RMAFC chairman urged officials participating in the exercise to adhere strictly to professional surveying procedures, recognised maps and relevant legal requirements in carrying out their assignments.

He reiterated that the technical committee’s report would be submitted solely to the commission for administrative review and formal approval.

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