Human rights activist Segun Awosanya, widely known as Segalink, has publicly criticized Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), arguing that he lacks the necessary qualities to lead the country. During an interview on Vanguard’s Politics Hub, Awosanya asserted that Obi’s political appeal relies on public anger rather than genuine national leadership, describing his political approach as divisive and fueled by an online “mob”.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Critique of Leadership Style: Awosanya accused Obi of “playing to the gallery” and characterized him as a leader who leverages the frustrations of the public to demonize others, engage in blackmail, and ultimately bully his way into political power.

• #EndSARS Allegations: Dismissing claims that his criticism is personal, Awosanya alleged that members of the “Obidient” movement attempted to hijack the #EndSARS protests for their own political gain, later demonizing those within the system when their efforts failed.

• Shift in Perspective: While acknowledging that he had previously spoken positively about Obi, Awosanya clarified that his earlier comments were observations regarding Obi’s focus on vulnerable individuals, not an endorsement.

• Concerns Over Divisiveness: Awosanya maintained that Obi is unfit for the presidency due to his divisive political record, citing alleged instances from his time as governor where he reportedly pitted religious groups against one another.

• Social Media Narratives: Addressing the influence of online platforms, Awosanya warned against mistaking viral narratives for reality, stating, “The fact that the lie is viral doesn’t make it the truth”.

Omoyele Sowore, a human rights activist and publisher, has claimed that the federal government, through the Department of State Services (DSS), is attempting to silence him. Addressing the media at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where he is currently on trial for allegedly referring to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal,” the 2027 presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC) asserted that his prosecution is politically motivated and part of an effort to suppress his activism.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Claim of Persecution: Sowore maintained that he has committed no crime and is being persecuted specifically for standing up for the rights of Nigerians. He stated that his ongoing legal struggles and previous detention are tactics intended to muzzle his voice.

• Confidence as a Candidate: Despite the charges, Sowore described his court appearance as a success, noting that he is prepared to engage in national discourse. He remarked that even the prosecutor representing the government acknowledged him as a potential political choice.

• Stance on Incarceration: Dismissing questions about his experience in custody, Sowore argued that an unconvicted person cannot be treated “fairly” in a prison, which he referred to as a “correctional center” that serves no purpose for someone attempting to correct society.

• Commitment to Activism: He stated that he would not be intimidated or stopped from speaking truth to power, positioning himself as a “conscience of this nation” challenging a “conscienceless power”.

• Broader National Concerns: Sowore emphasized that his focus extends beyond his trial to critical national issues, including insecurity, poverty, economic hardship, and the need for a living wage for workers. He insisted that his repeated prosecution is an attempt to prevent him from talking, further underscoring his belief in the power of his voice.

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to launch an investigation into major global tech firms and Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) platforms. This directive, initiated following a petition from the Nigerian Press Organisation, aims to address concerns regarding anti-competitive practices and the unauthorized use of media content.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Scope of Investigation: The FCCPC will examine allegations against entities such as Meta, Alphabet (Google), and . The inquiry focuses on potential market dominance, unfair competition, and the unauthorized scraping of copyrighted journalistic content to train AI models.

• Media Industry Concerns: Nigerian media stakeholders, including the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, claim these practices undermine the commercial viability of local news organizations and infringe upon content rights.

• Regulatory Approach: FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman Tunji Bello has committed to a transparent, evidence-based process. He emphasized that the inquiry is not a presumption of guilt but a fact-finding mission to ensure compliance with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 2018. All parties will be given a fair opportunity to respond.

• International and Historical Context: The move follows a previous $220 million fine imposed by the FCCPC on Meta in 2025 for data privacy violations—a decision currently under appeal. Additionally, the commission noted that South African news organizations recently secured a compensation agreement with Google following a similar probe by the South African Competition Commission.