The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has distanced itself from the group known as the Alliance for Transformation Mandate (ATM), declaring that the group does not represent the party and is not recognized by its national leadership.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, condemned the group’s recent “World Press Conference,” where ATM members referred to themselves as “footsoldiers” of the SDP.

“The attention of the national leadership of our great party, the SDP, has been drawn to a ‘World Press Conference’ by a group named Alliance for Transformation Mandate (ATM), which described its members as ‘footsoldiers’ for the Social Democratic Party,” Aiyenigba said in the statement.

He clarified that the group is “obviously sponsored” and “assembled to serve the personal interests of its backers.”

The SDP, Aiyenigba stressed, does not recognize the group, and any statements made by ATM should be regarded as “null and void.”

Aiyenigba also reminded the public that only the National Chairman and National Publicity Secretary are authorized to represent the SDP in official matters.

He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to democratic values, discipline, and structure, highlighting its strong support for its 2023 presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo.

“The national leadership and the generality of SDP members recognize Prince Adewole Adebayo as the best candidate in the last presidential election.”

“He has excellently represented the ideology of the party during and after the 2023 elections. There is no conflict between the party and Prince Adebayo. In fact, we express a vote of confidence in his capacity and leadership,” Aiyenigba stated.

Concluding the statement, Aiyenigba urged the public to disregard any claims made by ATM, describing the group as “fictitious and unauthorized.”

“The national leadership emphatically declares the ‘ATM’ as an unknown group to the party and urges Nigerians to be rightly guided,” Aiyenigba added.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has become the latest target of an alleged smear campaign involving artificial intelligence-generated content, according to a public alert issued by the Action Collective.

In a statement released on Friday and signed by its National Coordinator, Mr. Teddy Onyejuwe, the group raised the alarm over a circulating video that it claims falsely depicts the senator.

The organization emphasized that the video is fabricated and should not be trusted, urging the public to seek information only from verified and official sources.

“We call on Nigerians to remain vigilant and not to fall for deceptive content designed to damage reputations,” the statement read.

Mr. Onyejuwe described the campaign as politically orchestrated and intended to mislead citizens by leveraging digital manipulation technologies.

He noted that such tactics are designed to erode public trust and tarnish the image of respected individuals.

The Action Collective further condemned those allegedly behind the disinformation efforts and warned against the manipulation of digital spaces for political gain.

It encouraged the public to scrutinize the origins and authenticity of digital content before believing or sharing it.

Referencing earlier reports and online discourse, the group drew attention to concerns about the exploitation of NGOs and digital platforms in spreading misleading narratives.

Still, it called for fairness and responsibility in the handling of such sensitive matters.

The group also appealed to the media, regulators, and civil society groups to step up efforts in combating digital misinformation, especially those produced using artificial intelligence.

“This is a coordinated attempt by some political interests to undermine a respected public servant. We urge Nigerians to verify their sources and remain cautious of misinformation that could negatively impact lives and reputations,” Onyejuwe concluded.

The Nigeria Lawmakers Opposition Coalition has raised alarm over the state of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), revealing that 40 legislators and two sitting governors are set to defect due to what they describe as a deepening crisis and loss of direction within the party.

Speaking during a press briefing in his hometown of Akokwa on Friday, the coalition’s spokesperson, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, condemned the current leadership of the PDP, suggesting that its founding fathers would be disheartened by the party’s present trajectory.

“For two years, the leaders of this party have failed to find a solution to its internal crisis because they are actively undermining the very platform that made them,” Ugochinyere declared.

He demanded the immediate removal of the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum; PDP’s 2023 Imo State governorship candidate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; and the expulsion of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

He further called for a substantive chairman to be appointed from the North Central zone, insisting that such a move is critical to salvaging the party.

Turning to Damagum’s remarks that relied on divine guidance in party matters, Ugochinyere criticized what he called selective spiritual rhetoric.

“Where was God when you allowed the North Central to be sidelined in appointing an acting chairman? Where was God when you supported APC defectors in court? Or when party structures were handed to APC members? And yet you speak of faith in God?” he queried.

Ugochinyere also lashed out at Wike’s continued presence in the PDP despite his alliance with the ruling APC, questioning why the party leadership tolerates his ongoing activities.

Beyond party politics, the lawmaker used the occasion to draw national attention to the escalating erosion problems plaguing his Ideato constituency in Imo State.

While expressing appreciation for ongoing efforts, he also highlighted critical areas in need of urgent government intervention.

“I thank the federal and state governments for their commitment, but in other parts of my constituency, especially the Umuechi-Urualla axis, the erosion is out of control.”

“It’s threatening St. Jude’s Catholic Church, the king’s palace, and federal infrastructure. The situation is dire,” Ugochinyere cautioned.

He lamented the failure of a previous World Bank-funded erosion project valued at N9 billion, blaming the previous state administration for mismanaging the funds and leaving the work incomplete.

Appealing to relevant authorities, he said, “Please intervene and save our people from being cut off by this devastating erosion menace.”