President Bola Tinubu has reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to the swift implementation of the revitalised peace agreement in South Sudan, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the country’s First Vice President, Riek Machar, along with other key opposition figures.

It reflected President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s position, which was delivered through Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The message was presented during the African Union High-Level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan, also called the C-5 Plus Summit.

The summit took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on the sidelines of the 39th AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government. It was chaired by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

“We wish to specifically call on the government to consider the immediate and unconditional release from detention of the Vice President and other key opposition figures.

“It is also imperative to convene an all-inclusive South Sudan national dialogue and reconciliation forum. We call on all parties to engage constructively with authorities in the mediation process without preconditions,” Tinubu said.

The Nigerian President emphasized that his country stands with other African nations in recognising the South Sudanese people’s desire for peace, sustainable development, and a speedy resolution of the conflict.

“We support the lofty ambition of all parties and wish to reiterate our doctrinal commitment to accompany the South Sudanese Transitional Government of Unity as well as the good people of the country to actualise their aspiration for lasting peace and development,” he added.

Tinubu highlighted that national unity and elite consensus were essential to progress in the country’s transitional phase, urging African leaders to prioritise inclusive, peaceful, and transparent elections as “the only way to build trust and confidence in the country’s future and leadership.”

He also noted Nigeria’s role in the recently launched Regional Partnership for Democracy and drew attention to the negative impact of insecurity and political tension on South Sudan’s transitional processes, including security sector reforms and constitution drafting.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the AU High-Level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan, President Ramaphosa praised the determination of African leaders to resolve the conflict and acknowledged the delayed implementation of the revitalised agreement, eight years after its adoption.

He described the C-5 Plus Summit as “a demonstration of the commitment of leaders to finding a lasting solution in the interest of the people of South Sudan.”

Meanwhile, the President of Djibouti and IGAD Chairman, Ismail Omar Guelleh, reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to peace in South Sudan and proposed the appointment of a lead mediator to monitor implementation and address emerging challenges.

Other prominent attendees included the Chairperson of the AU Commission, HE Mahmoud Ali Youssouf; the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, HE Abiy Ahmed Ali; the President of Algeria, Abdelmadjid Tebboune; and representatives from Chad, Rwanda, and other nations.

In a related announcement, Nigeria pledged full infrastructural and operational support for the Combined Maritime Task Force in the Gulf of Guinea.

Tinubu said the country would provide “office buildings, ships, helicopters, and temporary personnel to ensure the Force remains effective in combating transnational organised crimes and enhancing maritime security across the region.”

The presidency has said that former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is simply trying to create tension in the country.

Senior Special Assistant to Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, made this statement in a post on his verified X handle on Monday.

He added that El-Rufai’s was equally diverting attention from his massive corruption allegations in Kaduna State.


He equally alleged that El-Rufai is trying so hard to damage the government through deliberate misinformation.

According to him, the ex-governor is drawing attention and to project himself as a victim of persecution.

Ajayi further noted that El-Rufai wants to nationalise his personal problems with his home state government, knowing that Nigerians will not be on his side over corruption charges.

“El-Rufai has two clear intentions behind his recent actions and tantrums. One, to create political tension in the country, create an atmosphere of fear and unrest

“Two, to divert attention from his domestic problems in Kaduna State, where he is facing massive corruption allegations,” Ajayi wrote.

Recall that El-Rufai during an interview on a national television slammed the All Progressives Congress, APC-led Federal Government upon his return to the country.

The Department of State Services, DSS, attempted to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, a development which has triggered national debates.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has firmly rejected opposition claims that it will implode after its forthcoming national convention, describing the projections as misguided and politically motivated.

The party said the narrative was being driven by rivals seeking relevance amid their own internal disarray and electoral uncertainty ahead of the next political cycle.

Lagos State APC Spokesman, Mr Seye Oladejo, made the remarks in a statement issued on Sunday, insisting the ruling party remained cohesive and forward-looking.

According to him, the APC continues to be defined by resilience, discipline and a structured commitment to internal democracy.

“Lagos APC has noted with amusement recent opposition claims predicting an ‘implosion’ ahead of our national convention.

“Such projections are misplaced. They amount to wishful thinking by a fragmented opposition projecting its own failures onto a united APC,” Oladejo said.

He maintained that the APC’s conventions historically served as platforms for renewal, reconciliation and consolidation rather than arenas of crisis.

“It strengthened our database, enhanced transparency and set the stage for a purposeful, well-organised national convention,” he added.

The spokesman argued that while the APC was consolidating structures, opposition parties remained weakened by leadership disputes and persistent defections.

Rather than offering coherent policy alternatives, he said, the opposition appeared trapped in reactive politics and public recriminations.

Oladejo also expressed concern over remarks attributed to a former state governor alleging he admitted tapping the National Security Adviser’s telephone conversations.

“If true, such action raises serious legal and national security concerns that cannot be ignored.

“A healthy democracy requires a credible opposition capable of presenting viable alternatives and engaging constructively,” he said.

He said the party was aligning structures strategically as it approached both its national convention and future elections.

“As others speculate about crisis, we consolidate. As others amplify rhetoric, we deepen structure. As others predict implosion, we prepare for expansion.

“There is no implosion, only renewed momentum, unity of purpose and strategic alignment as we advance towards the next electoral cycle,” Oladejo stated.