Former APC Southeast campaign spokesman, Denge Josef Onoh, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and entrust him to two respected figures: Amb. Bianca Odumegwu‑Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Senator John Azuta Mbata, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

In his proposal, Onoh recommends that the governors of Southeast states nominate chairmen of their Traditional Rulers’ Councils, under the leadership of Obi of Onitsha, HRH Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, to sign the bail bond with the National Security Adviser.

Onoh said his choices, Bianca Ojukwu and Senator Mbata, are based on their integrity, deep‐rooted commitment to Igbo culture, and non‑partisan reputation.

He emphasised that Bianca’s role as the widow of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu‑Ojukwu and her current diplomatic position uniquely place her to serve as a bridge between the Federal Government and Southeast communities.

He described Senator Mbata as an individual whose leadership transcends election cycles, with a track record of mobilizing Igbo youths and citizens for democratic and civic participation rather than separatist politics.

Onoh further argued that Kanu’s prolonged detention since 2021 has harmed peace and stability in the Southeast, noting that the charges of terrorism and treasonable felony have also fostered insecurity, enabling criminals to exploit tensions under the guise of separatism.

He thanked President Tinubu for his diplomatic efforts through the National Security Adviser as well as others for working toward resolving the violence associated with IPOB’s armed wing, the ESN.

Concluding, Onoh urged the President to use his constitutional prerogative of mercy to release Kanu unconditionally, with the handover into the care of Ojukwu and Mbata.

He believes such a move would de‑escalate tensions, help differentiate legitimate agitators from criminal elements, and restore investor confidence in the Southeast.

The Socio‑Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Amnesty International Nigeria have demanded that President Bola Tinubu immediately withdraw all criminal charges brought against activist Omoyele Sowore and the social media platforms X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.

These charges stem from Sowore’s posts that criticized the president.

In a joint letter dated September 20, 2025, signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare and Amnesty International Nigeria director Isa Sanusi, the groups urged Tinubu to order security agencies, particularly the Department of State Services (DSS), to cease using legal processes to silence dissent.

The groups also called on the President to direct the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to draft an anti‑SLAPP law for presentation to the National Assembly.

This law would aim to prevent the misuse of lawsuits to stifle public criticism.

Two of the counts against Sowore are under the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act of 2024; the others involve criminal defamation, causing public fear and disturbance under the Criminal Code Act.

These charges were filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on September 16, following Sowore’s refusal to delete certain posts deemed critical of President Tinubu.

According to SERAP and Amnesty, the legal actions taken in this case are neither necessary nor proportionate.

They argue that they create a chilling effect on free speech and are inconsistent with both Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the country’s international human rights obligations.

The groups have given the government seven days to act.

If the charges are not withdrawn within that timeframe, they warn they may pursue legal action through relevant judicial bodies, including possibly the ECOWAS Court of Justice.

The founding members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State have called on party members and stakeholders to unite in warmly receiving Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah into the party.

This appeal was made in a statement issued on Sunday in Enugu by Chief Hycienth Ngwu, the spokesperson for the APC Founders in the state and former South-East Publicity Secretary of the party.

Ngwu emphasized the strategic importance of Enugu State aligning with the ruling national party, particularly as the state holds a central position in the South-East and, by extension, the South-South geopolitical zones.

“Enugu, as the capital of the South-East, must connect with the center. As politicians, we understand the importance of being in alignment with the Federal Government,” Ngwu said.

He noted that the APC in Enugu has remained in opposition for too long and that welcoming Governor Mbah into the party could be a game-changer for the state chapter.

“We, the founding members of the APC in Enugu, are tired of being in the opposition. Across the country, states are aligning with the center to secure a share of the national development cake. We should not be left behind,” he stated.

Ngwu argued that the Governor’s defection to the APC would inject new energy into the party, strengthen its grassroots appeal, and position it for electoral success in future elections.

Reflecting on the party’s performance in the 2023 Presidential Election, Ngwu lamented the poor showing in Enugu State, where APC garnered only 4,772 votes.

“We must not repeat that again. Having the sitting governor in our party will greatly improve our fortunes. It’s time to exit the tunnel of opposition,” he said.

He called on all APC members in the state to set aside personal or factional interests and join hands in embracing Governor Mbah’s potential entry into the party.

“This is a collective opportunity. Let no one wish to keep us in the tunnel any longer. The light is at the end, and that light begins with the governor’s alignment with the APC,” Ngwu concluded.

The Presidency has responded to the African Democratic Congress (ADC)’s criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s emergency intervention in Rivers State, insisting that the President acted strictly within the bounds of the 1999 Constitution to preserve law and order.

The ADC had earlier condemned the six-month emergency rule imposed by Tinubu in March 2025, labeling the move as autocratic and a threat to democratic governance.

However, in a statement issued on Friday, Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media and Communication to the President, dismissed the party’s stance as “late pontification and empty noise.”

According to Dare, the President’s actions were backed by Section 305 of the Constitution, which permits the declaration of a state of emergency in situations that threaten public peace or constitutional order.

“The emergency framework is constitutional, not whimsical,” Dare stated.

“Officials in Rivers State were not removed from office but protected from chaos. Once normalcy returned, they were promptly reinstated.”

The Presidency emphasized that the emergency rule was not politically motivated but rather a necessary measure to stabilize Rivers State during a period of intense political tension.

“President Tinubu acted in defence of democracy. What the ADC offers Nigerians is nuisance politics. What the President delivered is peace, stability, and the restoration of democratic institutions,” Dare added.

He further argued that President Tinubu, as a former governor and proponent of federalism, has a proven record of fighting for state autonomy, making accusations of undermining democracy “laughable.”

In its statement, the ADC maintained that elected officials derive their legitimacy from the people, not the Presidency, and that only a court of law has the authority to suspend or remove such officials.

“Governors and legislators in a democracy do not draw their legitimacy from Aso Rock,” the party said. “Only a competent court can remove or restrain them—not a presidential proclamation.”

The ADC also called on the Supreme Court to provide clarity on the limits of presidential emergency powers, warning that Tinubu’s actions could set a dangerous precedent.

President Tinubu had on March 18, 2025, declared a six-month emergency rule in Rivers State amid escalating political unrest between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor and political rival, Nyesom Wike.

On September 18, the President officially lifted the emergency rule and ordered the reinstatement of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The Presidency maintains that the intervention was necessary to avoid a total breakdown of governance and to protect democratic order in the state.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has declared that his recent victory at the Supreme Court is not a personal triumph but one for the entire people of Ondo State.

Speaking on his return to Akure from Abuja, where he was warmly received by a large crowd at Democracy Park, Aiyedatiwa described the apex court’s ruling as a testament to the strength and independence of the Nigerian judiciary.

“This victory is not mine alone. It belongs to every citizen of Ondo State who stood for democracy, fairness, and justice,” the governor said.

The Supreme Court had affirmed Aiyedatiwa’s victory in the November 16, 2024, governorship election after the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Agboola Ajayi, withdrew his appeal, effectively ending the legal contest.

Aiyedatiwa expressed appreciation to his legal team for their professionalism and to the judiciary for upholding justice “without fear or favour.”

He also thanked President Bola Tinubu for his leadership, noting that good governance thrives when equity and fairness are upheld.

Prominent supporters of the governor praised the judgment, calling it a victory for democracy and the people’s mandate.

Ifedayo Abegunde, Director of Corporate Affairs at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), described the ruling as proof that the people’s votes were not in vain.

Former Deputy Governor Abdulazeez Oluboyo commended Aiyedatiwa’s historic achievement of winning across all local government areas in the state during the election, assuring citizens of continued good governance.

Also speaking, former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Omowumi Ohwovoriole, called the judgment “the end of discussion” regarding the election outcome, expressing confidence that the Aiyedatiwa administration would usher in development, peace, and stability across the state.

A group of former state chairmen of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has denied endorsing former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, distancing itself from a recent visit by a handful of its members to the opposition leader.

The Forum of State Chairmen of the defunct CPC, in a statement jointly signed by its National Chairman, Kasim Mabo and National Secretary, Sulaiman Oyaremi, described the visit as misleading and unrepresentative of the forum’s stance.

They also used the opportunity to raise concerns about the continued neglect of the CPC bloc by both the Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership.

According to the Forum, of its 37 original members, 20 remain loyal to the APC and President Bola Tinubu, while 16 have declared support for Atiku. One member, they noted, has passed away.

“Twenty of us remain unwavering in our commitment to the APC,” the statement read.

“However, our Forum has faced significant pressure from opposition leaders, including offers of financial incentives, which has led to defections by some of our members.”

The Forum said nine members had defected under such pressure months ago, with seven more joining recently.

They insisted, however, that the visit to Atiku was part of an orchestrated effort to mislead the public and create the illusion of broad support.

The ex-CPC leaders also issued a stern reminder to the APC and the Presidency, urging them to address what they see as growing marginalization of their bloc.

“The Presidency and APC leadership must reflect on the continued neglect of the CPC bloc. We, the former state chairmen, were instrumental to the grassroots mobilization that helped the CPC gain national traction and delivered over 12.5 million votes under President Buhari,” the statement emphasized.

They expressed concern that key stakeholders from the CPC wing have been excluded from political appointments and critical decision-making roles within the current administration.

Reaffirming their loyalty, the Forum pledged allegiance to the leadership of the defunct CPC, specifically naming Sen. Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, and Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas as leaders they still recognize and support.

“We remain loyal, patient, but firm in our demand for better inclusion and recognition. May God continue to guide the President and all our leaders,” the statement concluded.

The CPC, one of the four political parties that merged in 2013 to form the APC, has increasingly voiced dissatisfaction over being sidelined in recent years, a sentiment now boiling over among its grassroots operatives.