By Our Correspondent

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) says officials of the Presidency must stop presenting technology as a substitute for the constitutional responsibilities attached to the office of the President of Nigeria.
HURIWA in statement signed by its national Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko said the Presidency’s claim that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not need to be physically present in Abuja to perform his duties raises an important constitutional question that cannot be dismissed with references to digital communication.
The association says modern technology allows presidents to communicate, receive briefings and conduct official business from different locations, but the existence of such technology does not remove the constitutional provisions governing presidential absence from Nigeria.
HURIWA urges the Presidency to explain clearly the constitutional status of the President during his current extended absence and whether the appropriate constitutional procedure for transmitting power has been followed.
The association recalls that Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution provides a mechanism for the President to transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives whenever he is proceeding on vacation or is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office.
HURIWA says the same section provides a further constitutional mechanism where the President fails to transmit such a declaration after 21 days, allowing the National Assembly to pass a resolution mandating the Vice-President to perform the functions of the office as Acting President.
The association therefore rejects any suggestion that the constitutional question of presidential absence can be settled simply by saying that the President can work from anywhere in the world.
HURIWA says the issue is not whether President Tinubu can receive documents, hold virtual meetings or communicate with officials while abroad.
The issue is whether the constitutional requirements governing presidential absence have been respected.
HURIWA asks why President Tinubu would hesitate to transmit power to Vice-President Kashim Shettima when the Constitution provides for such an arrangement and the Vice-President was elected alongside him on the same presidential ticket.
The association says temporary transfer of presidential functions in accordance with the Constitution should not be presented as a political crisis or an admission of weakness.
HURIWA says it is instead a constitutional safeguard designed to guarantee continuity of government and eliminate uncertainty over the exercise of executive authority when the President is unavailable.
The association therefore calls on President Tinubu and his officials to place the full facts of his current absence before Nigerians and explain the constitutional steps taken regarding the discharge of presidential functions.
HURIWA also urges the Presidency to distinguish between a President being able to communicate remotely and the constitutional question of who is formally exercising presidential functions when the President is absent or unable to discharge those functions.
The association says Nigerians are entitled to ask legitimate questions about the location and constitutional status of their President without being dismissed as uninformed or politically motivated.
HURIWA warns that public officials should not trivialise constitutional concerns by relying on technological advances or comparisons with other countries.
The association says Nigeria has its own Constitution, and every holder of public office must operate within its provisions.
HURIWA therefore calls on President Tinubu to uphold the constitutional oath he took to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The association says physical presence is not the only issue; constitutional authority, accountability and continuity of government are equally fundamental.
HURIWA urges Nigerians, civil society organisations, lawyers and the National Assembly to continue scrutinising the constitutional implications of prolonged presidential absence and ensure that the provisions of Section 145 are fully respected.

By George Mgbeleke
The African Democratic Congress has dismissed the APC’s claim that it received ADC House of Assembly candidates from Jigawa, Plateau, Taraba and Zamfara States as wishful thinking and a figment of the APC’s imagination.

In a statement signed by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, the party said the individuals being paraded are not ADC candidates, leaders, or candidates.

“The APC cannot assemble random individuals at its secretariat, confer imaginary ADC credentials on them and then announce their defection. While the APC Chairman is welcome to receive visitors, he should stop introducing them to Nigerians as people they are not. These people are not our candidates ”

The party also mocked the claim that the supposed defectors were attracted by the administration’s “remarkable transformation” of Northern Nigeria.

“Having invented ADC credentials for its guests, the APC has supplied an equally imaginative account of its performance over the past few years. The APC should explain how these fake photo-ops bring down food prices, protect Nigeria’s communities or help struggling families pay their bills. Nigerians are asking for evidence of better lives; the APC is manufacturing photographs and congratulating itself.”

The ADC challenged the APC to substantiate the credentials it had assigned to the fake individuals that it paraded as ADC members.

“The APC should state the ADC offices these individuals supposedly held, the constituencies they represented as our candidates and when they held those positions. The APC should enjoy its photographs and spare Nigerians this unnecessary fiction.”

By our correspondent

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has assured the Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives, Hon. Milton Dick that Nigeria will support his bid for the Presidency of the Inter-Parliamentary Union(IPU).

Akpabio gave the assurance on Monday when Hon. Dick visited Abuja to solicit the support of the leadership of Nigerian Parliament ahead of the election for the Presidency of IPU next month.

The Senate President told his guests that “on IPU, which is the reason why you came, I have taken note of your candidature for the Presidency of the IPU and of your experience within the organisation, including your service as Vice President of the Asia-Pacific group and Leadership of several IPU delegation.

“The materials accompanying your visit also emphasise your commitment to impartiality, inclusion and parliamentary diplomacy. I must say that with you as President of IPU, IPU can only wax stronger, IPU can only improve.

“It is important that we complement a woman Secretary-General that we have elected with a man like you who has always shown very serious commitment.

“We are not saying that the African group in IPU will not have a divergent views. We are yet to meet. We are meeting on 4 October, 2026. I will be there to make sure that your candidature is accepted. The African group will meet. I assure you their decision will be in your favour.”

Akpabio said Nigeria attached great importance to IPU as an institution for parliamentary dialogue, democratic development, peace and international cooperation and looked forward to hearing the candidate’s vision for the organisation and his thoughts on strengthening the voice of Africa, the Pacific and developing countries within the IPU..

Akpabio also advocated for strengthening of cooperation between Nigeria and Australia particularly in the areas of mining, agriculture, education, renewable energy, technology, security and capacity building.

“If you have business men in Australia looking for areas to invest in, this is one country(Nigeria) that no matter what you invest in, the population is there, the market is available and you will make quantum profits.

“I want you to take the message back to the business community in Australia that Nigeria is awaiting their coming and that you have come to open the door and that it will never be closed again,” Akpabio said.

The Senate President said the two countries could also help to build a very strong parliamentary bridge between Africa and the Pacific.

Earlier, the visiting Australian Speaker said when he decided to run for the Presidency of IPU, he was told that he has to come to Nigeria to understand Africa.

“I know that Nigeria is the heart of Africa and your leadership is well known throughout the continent. On behalf of the people of Australia, we thank you for what you have done for democracy and we thank you for what you have done for the IPU.

“Mr President, thank you to be honoured for being with you today. I thank you for allowing me to earn your support and l promise you if I’m elected or if I’m not elected, you have a brand new friend in Australia,” Hon. Dick said.