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Otti Holds High-Level Talks with Tinubu Over IPOB Leader Nnamdi Kanu

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti

Otti Holds High-Level Talks with Tinubu Over IPOB Leader Nnamdi Kanu

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday received Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, in a meeting widely believed to be connected to efforts to secure the release of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Although the agenda was not officially disclosed, sources said the engagement followed Governor Otti’s recent visit to Sokoto prison, where Kanu is serving a life sentence on terrorism-related convictions. The visit involved Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu, the Abia State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna (SAN), and Otti’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, alongside officials from Sokoto State Government.

Since assuming office, Governor Otti has consistently prioritised resolving Nnamdi Kanu’s case, stating that his administration is committed to pursuing all legitimate avenues for the IPOB leader’s release. Through his media aide, Otti said:
“While Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is free to appeal his conviction, I have activated, and will continue to work on, the already agreed strategy until his freedom is secured.”

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Observers say Tuesday’s meeting reflects Otti’s determination to leverage both state and federal channels in advancing dialogue and exploring possible solutions, highlighting the political, legal, and security sensitivities surrounding the case.

Nnamdi Kanu, a British-Nigerian political activist, began promoting Biafran separatism through Radio Biafra, a UK-based station, in 2009 and formally launched IPOB in 2014. He was first arrested in 2015 on treason charges, released in 2017, and rearrested in 2021 on charges including terrorism, incitement, and affiliation with IPOB’s armed wing, the Eastern Security Network.

On November 20, 2025, a Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment, sparking protests and renewed calls for his release, with Abia Governor Alex Otti being among the vocal advocates.

Tuesday’s high-level engagement underscores continued federal and state attention to a case that remains a focal point in Nigeria’s legal and political discourse.

Otti Holds High-Level Talks with Tinubu Over IPOB Leader Nnamdi Kanu

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US Lawmakers Raise Fresh Alarm Over Alleged Christian Genocide in Nigeria

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US lawmaker Riley Moore
US lawmaker Riley Moore

US Lawmakers Raise Fresh Alarm Over Alleged Christian Genocide in Nigeria

Several United States lawmakers have raised fresh alarm over alleged Christian persecution and genocide in Nigeria, urging diplomatic intervention, policy action, and international attention to the country’s ongoing security crisis.

Republican Representative Riley Moore highlighted violence by armed groups, including Boko Haram and Fulani militias, which have displaced hundreds of thousands of Christians, particularly in Benue State. Moore described the attacks as “genocidal” and has called for stronger U.S. engagement to protect vulnerable communities.

In Congress, lawmakers have introduced resolutions condemning violence against Christians in Nigeria, with some pushing to designate the country as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)”, a U.S. foreign policy measure that could trigger sanctions and diplomatic pressure. Supporters argue the move is necessary to compel Nigeria to strengthen security, while critics caution that such a designation could strain U.S.–Nigeria relations.

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The Federal Government of Nigeria has dismissed the genocide narrative as propaganda and misinformation, noting that Nigeria’s security challenges affect both Christian and Muslim communities. Abuja has also hired U.S.-based lobbyists to communicate its security efforts and clarify that the violence is linked to terrorism and communal conflict, not targeted religious extermination.

Religious and civil society voices remain divided. Some emphasise the real threat to Christian communities, while others warn that framing the situation as genocide oversimplifies Nigeria’s multifaceted security challenges, which include terrorism, banditry, and communal violence.

As debate intensifies, the controversy continues to influence international perceptions, diplomatic relations, and discussions on religious freedom and security policy in Nigeria.

US Lawmakers Raise Fresh Alarm Over Alleged Christian Genocide in Nigeria

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Obasanjo Holds Secret Meeting With Babangida Amid 2027 Election Speculations

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida
General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

Obasanjo Holds Secret Meeting With Babangida Amid 2027 Election Speculations

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo met privately with ex-military ruler General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida at Babangida’s residence in Minna, Niger State, in a closed-door meeting that has sparked widespread speculation about potential political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The meeting, which lasted about 30 minutes, drew attention as both leaders emerged as key elder statesmen whose counsel and influence are often sought by Nigeria’s political elite. Neither Obasanjo nor Babangida spoke to journalists after the session, and no official statement was released, fueling discussions about behind-the-scenes strategic planning and coalition-building for 2027.

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Political analysts note that such high-profile consultations are common ahead of major elections, as party leaders, former presidents, and influential figures explore alliances, policy priorities, and national governance strategies. Observers also link this meeting to recent PDP and APC elder consultations, signaling continued efforts by senior politicians to shape the electoral landscape.

The rendezvous underscores Obasanjo’s continuing role as a political kingmaker, leveraging his network and experience to influence party strategies, candidate selection, and national discourse. With the 2027 elections approaching, similar closed-door meetings among Nigeria’s top political figures are expected to intensify in the coming months.

Obasanjo Holds Secret Meeting With Babangida Amid 2027 Election Speculations

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Outrage in Borno as APC Excludes VP Shettima’s Photo at North‑East Zonal Hearing

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Vice‑President Kashim Shettima

Outrage in Borno as APC Excludes VP Shettima’s Photo at North‑East Zonal Hearing

There has been widespread anger in Borno State after the All Progressives Congress (APC) omitted Vice‑President Kashim Shettima from the official banner at the party’s North‑East zonal public hearing on constitutional amendments in Maiduguri. The banner, which featured President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the five APC governors from the region, and the party’s National Legal Adviser, conspicuously left out Shettima, a native of Borno State.

The omission prompted immediate backlash from party leaders, including Abdulkarim Lawan, Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, who described it as “provocative and unfair,” stressing that it was inappropriate to sideline a senior party official in his home state. The speaker recalled a similar controversy at an APC event in Gombe State last year, highlighting persistent sensitivities within the party’s North‑East faction.

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Attendees of the Maiduguri hearing, convened to discuss proposed constitutional amendments, expressed support for Lawan’s remarks, with loud applause and calls for the Vice‑President’s recognition. In response, the APC Deputy National Chairman dismissed the exclusion as an oversight by organisers, insisting there was no intention to diminish Shettima’s status and affirming that the hearing’s focus remained on party reforms rather than politics.

The incident comes amid speculation about internal APC dynamics ahead of the 2027 general elections, including questions around representation and leadership within the North‑East. Analysts note that repeated omissions of Shettima at high-profile events could fuel perceptions of internal rifts and affect party cohesion in the region.

Outrage in Borno as APC Excludes VP Shettima’s Photo at North‑East Zonal Hearing

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