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stuck in the past, he should bring himself up to speed with recent developments and stop misleading the public with outdated figures,” Gidado added.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.

A civil society organisation, Citizens for Justice and Accountability in Governance (CJAG), has called for a full-scale investigation into claims by four suspects that they are being pressured to falsely implicate Edison Ehie, chief of staff to suspended Rivers governor, Siminalayi Fubara, in the fire that gutted the state assembly complex in 2023.

The group, led by its president, Stephen Emmanuel, said the recent revelation by the suspects — Chime Ezebalike, Kenneth Kpasa, MacPherson Olumini, and Oladele Lukman — points to a deeply troubling attempt to manipulate justice and escalate the political crisis in Rivers state.

In a statement on Friday, the group said the details shared by the suspects must not be swept under the rug.

“This is no longer just about arson. It is now about a deliberate attempt to destroy reputations, manipulate public perception, and mislead security agencies for political gain,” the statement reads.

“How can anyone in good conscience seek to fabricate allegations so grave, involving murder, attempted assassination, and arson — just to settle political scores? This is criminal, and we demand prosecution of the masterminds.

“What these young men have described — blindfolds, illegal detention, bribe offers, and threats — is a direct assault on human dignity and a violation of every known legal standard. This is a democracy, not a jungle.”

Emmanuel said CJAG is petitioning the Attorney-General of the Federation and the National Human Rights Commission to immediately launch a probe into the circumstances surrounding the arrests and alleged coercion of the suspects.

“We are calling on President Tinubu, as the leader of this nation, to ensure that justice is not perverted. The state cannot allow anyone, no matter how powerful, to weaponise the law for vendettas. It will set a dangerous precedent,” he added.

“If this is part of a conspiracy to silence Ehie or sabotage Governor Fubara, then those responsible must be named and shamed,” Emmanuel said.

“We urge the Inspector-General of Police to order an internal investigation into the role of the Federal Intelligence Response Team (F-IRT) in this matter. Nigerians need to know whether our security operatives are serving the people or acting as pawns in political chess games.”

The group also condemned the continued politicisation of the Rivers crisis, warning that unresolved tensions may threaten national stability if allowed to fester unchecked.

“This is bigger than Rivers state. This is about justice. This is about the soul of our democracy. We cannot claim to uphold the rule of law while innocent people are being used as scapegoats in battles they know nothing about,” Emmanuel added.

CJAG concluded by urging civil society, religious institutions, and the international community to pay closer attention to developments in Rivers, warning that impunity thrives in silence.

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.