Traditional rulers in Annang land, Akwa Ibom State, have issued a formal summons to Mrs. Patience Akpabio, the sister-in-law of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and her husband Ibanga Akpabio, demanding their appearance within seven days over alleged defamatory social media posts.

The apex body of Annang traditional rulers, Afe Nkuku Annang, released a communiqué on Monday after a meeting held at the Ati Annang Secretariat in Ikot Ekpene.

The monarchs expressed outrage over what they described as “malicious and unguarded” comments allegedly made by Mrs. Akpabio, linking the Senate President to multiple killings during his time as governor of Akwa Ibom State.

In one such Facebook post, Mrs. Patience Akpabio wrote:

“For all the people you people have killed when you were governor of Akwa Ibom, and those you people have killed now that you are in the Senate, it will not be well with you.”

The Afe Nkuku Annang demanded that both Patience and Ibanga Akpabio appear before the traditional council within seven days to offer clarification and undergo possible cleansing rituals, as prescribed by Annang customs.

Failure to comply, the royal body warned, would result in “drastic punitive sanctions.”

The communiqué was signed by HRM Obong Cosmas Okon Akpan, Paramount Ruler of Essien Udim and President of the council, Akuku (Prof.) Amanam Akpanudo Udo, Paramount Ruler of Etim Ekpo and Vice President and Engr. (Dr.) J.J. Obosi IV (JP), Paramount Ruler of Oruk Anam.

The monarchs condemned the “vulgar language” used by Mrs. Akpabio, emphasizing that as a woman married into the esteemed Akpabio family of Essien Udim, she was expected to maintain the dignity and values of her marital home and community.

They argued that if she had legitimate grievances, she should have reported them to family elders, traditional authorities, or law enforcement, rather than making inflammatory public posts on social media.

“Rather than pursue lawful and dignified channels, she chose to engage in social media taunting and blackmail, apparently aimed at tarnishing the Senate President’s image,” the statement read.

The monarchs further stated that her posts had also dragged the name of Governor Umo Eno into public controversy, describing the allegations as baseless and defamatory.

Attempts to contact Mrs. Patience Akpabio and her husband were unsuccessful as their mobile phones remained unreachable at the time of this report.

Former Nigerian Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has arrived in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, to lead the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission ahead of the country’s presidential election scheduled for October 25, 2025.

His arrival on Monday was announced in a statement by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Tuesday.

The regional body said the deployment of the mission aligns with the 2001 Additional Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, underscoring ECOWAS’ commitment to peace, democratic governance, and regional stability.

Osinbajo, who served as Nigeria’s Vice President from 2015 to 2023, is heading a mission of 187 observers.

Among them are 150 short-term observers, 15 long-term electoral experts and 22 young observers participating through the ECOWAS pilot program on youth involvement in election observation.

In addition, the mission is reinforced by 66 observers from the African Union (AU).

Assisting Osinbajo in leading the mission are two prominent diplomats; Baboucarr Blaise Ismaïla Jagne, former Foreign Affairs Minister of The Gambia and Mahamat Saleh Annadif, former Foreign Affairs Minister of Chad.

These observers are tasked with monitoring pre-election, election-day, and post-election activities to ensure the electoral process complies with both regional and international standards.

Osinbajo was received in Abidjan by top ECOWAS officials, including Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security and Fanta Cissé, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Côte d’Ivoire.

In his remarks, Osinbajo expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the mission and noted the warm hospitality of the Ivorian people.

He also voiced optimism that the election would be peaceful, credible, and transparent.

“It is an honour to lead this mission to such a peaceful and welcoming country. We are hopeful that the entire process will reflect the democratic aspirations of the Ivorian people,” he said.

Osinbajo, who also served as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State from 1999 to 2007, brings decades of legal and governance experience to his new regional role.

The October 25 poll is particularly significant as President Alassane Ouattara, aged 83, has announced his intention to seek a fourth term in office.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Federal Government to provide clarity on allegations of a coup plot involving arrested military officers.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party stressed its deep concern about the potential misuse of such claims for political purposes.

While condemning any threat to Nigeria’s democratic order, ADC warned that allegations of a coup must not become a tool for political witch-hunts, silencing dissent, or manipulating public perceptions.

The party noted conflicting narratives, especially government denials despite widespread media reports, fuel suspicion that the coup narrative may be politically engineered.

Expressing frustration over the government’s silence, ADC argued that failing to respond decisively has allowed the rumor to fester unchecked.

It further accused the administration of potentially using the coup story to deflect attention from governance failures and curry public sympathy.

The party urged the government to either quash the rumours decisively or issue a transparent national briefing if any genuine threat exists.

It also warned against using national security justifications to suppress opposition voices or clamp down on civil liberties.

In the backdrop of these developments, the Defence Headquarters has already denied any coup plot, labeling reports as false and malicious, and clarified that the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade was unrelated to coup speculation.

In recent days, speculation about a potential military coup in Nigeria has made headlines and gone viral on social media.

The rumours suggested that middle-ranking military officers were plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu, citing this as the reason the government cancelled the Independence Day parade on October 1.

However, the Defence Headquarters swiftly dismissed these claims.

In a public statement, the military explained that the parade was cancelled to allow the president attend “a strategic bilateral meeting” and to enable the armed forces to maintain focus on internal security threats like terrorism and banditry.

The statement also addressed the alleged arrest of 16 military officers, clarifying that they were part of a routine internal investigation to maintain professionalism within the ranks, not part of any coup attempt.

Contrary to the speculation, President Tinubu was actively engaged in public duties during the lead-up to Independence Day.

He attended the coronation of the Olubadan of Ibadan on September 26, commissioned projects in Imo State on September 30 and returned to Lagos to deliver a national address on October 1.

These public appearances directly contradict the idea that he was avoiding public events out of fear of a coup.

While Nigeria’s coup rumour was ultimately false, the global political climate offers insight into why such speculation finds fertile ground.

Recent data from the Varieties of Democracy Project reveals that autocracies now outnumber democracies worldwide, with 91 autocratic regimes compared to 88 democracies.

Even more telling: nearly 72% of the global population now lives under autocratic governments, the highest percentage since 1978.

This means that interest in authoritarian alternatives is not a uniquely Nigerian problem, it’s part of a broader global trend.

A quick analysis of Google Trends shows that Nigerians began searching about coups on October 1, the same day the parade was cancelled.

Queries like “first coup in Nigeria” and “military coup in Nigeria” spiked, particularly in Kaduna and Edo States.

Interest in coup-related topics surged again between October 6 and 13, following news of the military takeover in Madagascar.

Interestingly, interest in the coup topic even overtook public attention around Joash Amupitan, the newly-appointed INEC Chairman, despite his appointment being a major national story.

I lived through Nigeria’s military regimes in the 1990s. I remember the fear, the silence and the deep instability they brought.

So I have no nostalgia for military rule. But that’s my lived experience, not that of most Nigerians.

With a median age of 18, over 60% of Nigerians have only known democracy.

They didn’t live through coups. So when the economy worsens, insecurity spreads and governance fails to deliver, it’s not hard for some to begin romanticizing military alternatives.

What these rumours really reveal is a trust gap. Many citizens no longer believe that democracy is working for them.

Hunger, joblessness, insecurity, and rising inequality are making people ask: “Can anything be worse than this?”

Until the government begins to restore trust, by delivering security, jobs, and justice, rumours like this will keep resurfacing.

Nigeria doesn’t just need to dismiss coup rumours; it needs to prove that democracy works. Not just for the elite, but for the everyday citizen struggling to survive.

The military may be staying in the barracks, but the deeper question is: Do Nigerians still believe in democracy? Unless government action begins to match public needs, every rumour of a coup will echo louder than the last.

Rumours fade. But the reasons behind them remain, until they are addressed head-on.

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has firmly denied speculation that he is planning to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), reaffirming his loyalty to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking to journalists in Abuja following the inaugural meeting of the PDP Convention’s Accommodation Sub-Committee, Adeleke dismissed rumours of defection and described the internal challenges within the PDP as normal family affairs.

“We are meeting and resolving our issues internally. It is a family affair. We do not want anyone outside to add sugar, pepper, or salt to the matter,” he said, stressing that the PDP remains united and capable of handling its internal matters.

Adeleke, who serves as Deputy Chairman of the upcoming PDP National Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, also chairs the party’s Accommodation Committee.

He assured that preparations are on track, saying, “We just concluded our inaugural meeting, and everyone was present. We’ve resolved everything necessary to ensure the convention runs smoothly.”

Addressing the recent wave of defections from the PDP, the Osun governor downplayed their significance, stating that party membership is a matter of personal choice.

However, he emphasized that the defections have not weakened the party.

“We still have strong membership and widespread support across Nigeria. I am not worried,” he stated confidently.

Reacting to claims that his association with friends in the APC indicates a possible defection, Adeleke explained:

“I’m a very civilised person. If I have friends in the APC and they invite me to a wedding or social function, I will attend. That doesn’t mean I’m joining them.”

He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to the PDP’s principles and future success:

“The PDP doesn’t rely on propaganda. We are focused on unity, structure, and growth. By God’s grace, our convention will be successful, and the PDP will emerge stronger.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended warm birthday greetings to Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, describing him as a longstanding ally and a key figure within Nigeria’s progressive political movement.

In a message commemorating Kwankwaso’s 69th birthday, President Tinubu noted that despite the senator’s departure from the All Progressives Congress (APC), his political ideology remains firmly rooted in progressive values.

According to a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu also congratulated Kwankwaso’s family, supporters, and associates as they marked the occasion.

The President acknowledged Kwankwaso’s numerous contributions to Nigeria’s governance and development, citing his leadership in several high-profile roles, including as Deputy Speaker in the short-lived Third Republic, two-term Governor of Kano State, Minister of Defence, and current Senator for Kano Central.

He praised Kwankwaso’s continued popularity in northern Nigeria, particularly Kano State, crediting it to his grassroots, people-centered approach to politics, which mirrors the legacy of late northern icons like Mallam Aminu Kano and Alhaji Abubakar Rimi.

“Senator Kwankwaso remains a friend and ally. We served together in the National Assembly in 1992 and later governed our respective states in 1999. We also collaborated in founding the APC,” Tinubu said.

“Though he later left to form the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), his ideals still reflect the core of progressive politics.”

President Tinubu wished Kwankwaso continued good health and many more years of service to the nation.