The APC Youth Network Worldwide has condemned in strong terms the recent outburst by Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, describing his remarks about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appointments and alleged mismanagement of borrowed funds as reckless, misleading, and unbecoming of a ranking lawmaker.

A statement issued after a high-level strategy meeting in Abuja on Thursday, the group expressed deep disappointment over Ndume’s claim that the Tinubu administration was spending borrowed funds on frivolities and flouting the constitutional provision on federal character in political appointments.

The group’s National Coordinator, Abubakar Gidado, said Ndume’s remarks were not only factually inaccurate but a deliberate attempt to undermine public confidence in the Tinubu-led government.

“We find Senator Ndume’s comments unfortunate and disgraceful, especially coming from someone who has benefited immensely from the same APC government. His remarks do not reflect the reality of the budgeting framework and reforms introduced by this administration,” Gidado said.

“President Tinubu’s budgeting process has been one of the most transparent and reform-driven systems Nigeria has seen in recent times. From cutting down on waste to prioritising capital projects and reducing recurrent expenditure, the administration has shown a deep commitment to fiscal prudence — something Ndume conveniently ignores in his emotional outbursts.”

The group warned the senator to refrain from making blanket statements without facts, noting that his concerns on federal character lack substance when weighed against actual appointments.

“The president has appointed Nigerians from all regions in strategic positions across federal ministries, agencies and parastatals. If Ndume is still stuck in the past, he should bring himself up to speed with recent developments and stop misleading the public with outdated figures,” Gidado added.

The group further accused the Borno senator of seeking relevance through controversy.

“Ndume should focus more on his legislative duties instead of grandstanding on television. We will not allow political actors to distort the hard work and vision of this administration just to satisfy personal egos or secure media headlines.”

He urged President Tinubu to remain focused and ignore voices that seek to derail the government’s achievements with baseless accusations.

“The youth wing of our party and millions of Nigerians at home and abroad continue to trust in the capacity of this government to deliver on its promises,” Gidado concluded.

Citizens for Democratic Watch (CDW), a pro-democracy group, has condemned the appointment of administrators for the 23 local government areas in Rivers State by the sole administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas, describing it as “a dangerous abuse of power and a direct attack on the constitution”.

This latest action, which came just 24 hours after a federal high court restrained Ibas from making such appointments, has triggered widespread concern over what CDW calls “the rapid erosion of democratic institutions under the guise of emergency governance”.

In a statement on Wednesday, Dr Hassan Dantani, Executive Director of CDW, called on President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the National Assembly to intervene before the situation spirals out of control.

“Appointing 23 sole administrators in clear defiance of a federal court order is not only unlawful — it is tyrannical,” Dantani said.

“No state of emergency gives anyone the license to override the judiciary, erase local governance, and act above the law. This must be condemned in the strongest terms.”

Dantani noted that the local government system is a constitutionally recognised tier of government, and any attempt to run it without democratic structures sets a very dangerous precedent.

“This action by Ibok-Ete Ibas is a grave violation of Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the system of democratically elected local government councils,” he said.

“Our democracy cannot function if unelected individuals are imposed to run local governments under military-style appointments.”

CDW warned that if allowed to stand, the appointments could embolden future political actors to trample on the rule of law and weaken the judiciary.

“The blatant disregard for a valid court order should alarm every Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation,” Dantani said.

“When leaders ignore court rulings and impose their will, what remains of the rule of law? If we allow this to stand in Rivers, it could happen anywhere else.”

The group called on the National Assembly to urgently summon the Rivers sole administrator to explain his actions and ensure that all constitutional boundaries are respected.

“We urge the Senate and House of Representatives to treat this matter as a priority,” he added.

“Democracy must not be sacrificed on the altar of expediency or political convenience.”

Dantani concluded by demanding the immediate reversal of the LGA appointments and a return to constitutional order.

“The people of Rivers State deserve legitimate, elected representation — not handpicked appointees. We must not normalise authoritarian shortcuts in a democratic society,” the group warned.

An international group, Nigerians in Diaspora Movement for Democracy, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to allow democracy to thrive in Nigeria, citing the recent developments in Rivers State as a concerning example of democratic erosion.

The group expressed alarm over the suspension of the elected State Governor, his deputy, and members of the State House of Assembly for six months, calling it a distortion of democracy.

In an open letter to President Tinubu co-signed Dr. Samson Idoko and Patriot John Andrew Onuh, its President and Secretary General, the group urged President Tinubu to revisit the decision to declare emergency rule in Rivers State and instead use legislative processes to stabilize the situation.

They proposed measures such as compelling all parties concerned to implement strong deterrent elements and sanctions, including a ban on participating in political activities and/or holding public offices for at least ten years.

The group emphasised that if the current situation is not addressed, it could damage President Tinubu’s efforts and legacy, both past and future.

The statement added: “We wish to passionately plead that democracy should be allowed to thrive and seen obviously to be thriving. We do not make this assertion lightly or base it on an assumption but on factual grounds.

“There is clear derailment from what your Excellency stood and fought for from what is happening today. Your Excellency, with what has happened in Rivers State, it is potentially clear that democracy under your presidency is no longer thriving.

“A practice where an elected State Governor, his deputy and members of the State House of Assembly are suspended for six months does not represent what His Excellency stood for and fought so much for.

“Your Excellency, the unequal disproportionate and excessive pressure placed on Rivers State at its jugular is affecting the entire democratic system in the whole country, democracy is in a state of asphyxia, losing air and if nothing is done in some few minutes, it will be suffocated to death.

“If that happens, then the entire efforts of Mr. President both past and future would be dented in an ugly history, a crude democratic tragedy. Your Excellency cannot allow this to happen.

“We, therefore, wish to call on Mr President to take a serious and urgent look at the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State to revise the decision and instead utilize legislative processes to stabilize the situation as well as ensure that there is no reversal of the ugly drift in Rivers State.

“These legislative measures could be compelling for all parties concerned with strong deterrent elements and sanctions which will include a ban on participating in political activities and/or holding public offices for not less than ten years.

“We are convinced that Your Excellency will heed this call and act expeditiously. Have the confidence of our unending patriotism Sir.”