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e-RIGHTS Project Partners Condemn Proposed Amendment to Data Protection Act Targeting Bloggers and Social Media Platforms

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Avocats Sans Frontières France (ASF France), the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), and Spaces for Change (S4C), under the European Union-funded eRIGHTS Project, condemn the proposed amendment to the Nigerian Data Protection Act, 2023, which seeks to mandate the establishment of physical offices by social media platforms and compel bloggers to register with recognized national associations and maintain local offices within Nigeria.

The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Nigerian Data Protection Act, 2023, to Mandate the Establishment of Physical Offices within the Territorial Boundaries of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by Social Media Platforms and for Related Matters,” has passed both first and second readings at the Senate, raising serious concerns among civil society organizations, media actors, human rights defenders and social media users in Nigeria.

While the regulation of data protection is important in safeguarding the privacy of citizens, this proposed amendment extends far beyond data protection. By attempting to regulate bloggers and compel them to join recognized associations and establish physical offices, the bill threatens the constitutional rights of Nigerians, including the right to freedom of expression, privacy, and association, as guaranteed by Sections 37, 38, and 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, as well as international human rights instruments and conventions to which Nigeria is a party to.

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This proposed legislation risks shrinking the civic and digital space in Nigeria. Independent bloggers, citizen journalists, and digital creators play a critical role in holding those in power to account, amplifying marginalized voices, and strengthening Nigeria’s democratic discourse. Imposing bureaucratic and financial burdens on these actors will not only undermine digital innovation but also stifle dissent and limit the diversity of online narratives.

We, the eRIGHTS project partners, therefore:

1. Call on the National Assembly to immediately halt the legislative process on this bill and subject it to broader public consultation, especially with civil society actors, media actors, digital rights advocates, and tech stakeholders.
2. Urge the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria not to assent to any version of the bill that infringes on the rights to freedom of expression, privacy, and association.
3. Request the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to clarify its stance on this bill and uphold its responsibility to protect digital rights and data governance frameworks in a way that aligns with democratic values and international best practices.

The eRIGHTS project remains committed to promoting and protecting the digital rights of Nigerians, and to ensuring that the internet remains a safe and inclusive space for free expression, innovation and civic participation.

 

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APC Extends Membership Registration, Reschedules Congresses and Convention

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced a revised timetable for its internal activities, extending its electronic membership registration and rescheduling upcoming congresses and its national convention.

The decisions were reached during the 183rd meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) held on Friday, January 30, 2026, at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja. In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party outlined the key changes.

The electronic membership registration exercise has been extended from January 31 to February 8, 2026. According to the statement, the extension follows requests from party stakeholders and is intended to allow more supporters and members to register or validate their membership.

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Furthermore, the schedule for party congresses has been adjusted. Ward congresses are now set to hold on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, while the National Convention has been rescheduled for March 27–28, 2026.

The statement also clarified that some states would be excluded from the forthcoming state congresses. Osun State, Ekiti State, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are exempted due to upcoming elections, while Rivers State is excluded because of the subsisting tenure of the current party executive committees in the state.

Additionally, the NWC confirmed the constitution of a National Convention Planning Committee. The party noted that further details regarding the adjusted timetable and the composition of the planning committee would be communicated in due course.

These changes mark a significant recalibration of the APC’s internal electoral calendar as it prepares for its national convention and subsequent political engagements.

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Turaki-Led PDP Faction to Appeal Court Ruling, Affirms Legitimacy

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced it will appeal a Federal High Court ruling in Ibadan that refused to grant its request for an order of mandamus. The court, in its Friday judgment, stated that granting the order would amount to reviewing decisions of courts of equal jurisdiction—a ruling the faction described as “not unexpected.”

In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, and posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, the faction confirmed it has directed its legal team to file an appeal immediately and take all necessary legal steps to defend its standing.

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Despite the legal setback, the faction asserted that its leadership, which emerged from the PDP’s Ibadan convention, remains legally intact and unaffected. The statement called on members to stay calm and resolute, assuring them there is “absolutely no cause for alarm” and that the party’s “rebirth movement remains firmly on course.”

The development is part of an ongoing internal dispute over leadership and legitimacy within the PDP, with rival factions seeking judicial affirmation. All eyes are now on the appellate courts, whose decisions could significantly influence the party’s structure and direction ahead of future political activities.

The faction expressed confidence that higher courts would ultimately uphold its position, stating it “awaits the authoritative pronouncement of the appellate courts.”

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Fayemi Denies Alleged Closed-Door Meeting with Kwankwaso

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has denied reports claiming that he held a closed-door meeting with former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, at his Abuja residence.

Fayemi, immediate past Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, dismissed the report in a statement issued by the Head of his Media Office, Ahmad Sajoh, on Thursday, describing the claim as false and urging the public to disregard it.

The report, which circulated on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, was shared by several social media handles alongside an old video clip showing Fayemi greeting Kwankwaso at his residence.

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According to the statement, the former Ekiti governor had met Kwankwaso only once in the past year and not in any private political setting.

“Dr Fayemi has only met Senator Kwankwaso once in the last year, and that occasion was at the public book launch of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN,” the statement said.

It added that, “At no time has Dr Fayemi held, or is he holding, any closed-door political meeting with Senator Kwankwaso as suggested by the post.”

The former governor acknowledged that he and Kwankwaso have been friends since their time as governors, but stressed that their relationship is personal and non-partisan.

He noted that the friendship is “based on mutual respect and a shared commitment to the progress of Nigeria, rather than on any political alignment.”

Fayemi also cautioned against attempts by political actors to attach partisan interpretations to private relationships, noting that many of his friends and associates are either not involved in partisan politics or belong to different political persuasions.

The statement added that Fayemi’s associates “span the entire spectrum of Nigeria’s political terrain.”

It, therefore, reaffirmed the former governor’s commitment to national unity, principled engagement, and responsible public discourse.

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