Today’s Headlines: Nnamdi Kanu Makes Demand From Prison, US Judge Orders Halt To Taxpayer-Funded Ads

The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has reiterated his demand for a referendum on the Biafran question, stating that he would not abandon the pursuit of Biafran sovereignty despite his imprisonment.

Kanu’s position was contained in a message delivered at the 2026 convention of the American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) in the United States. In the message, he maintained that a referendum or the unilateral pursuit of Biafran sovereignty remained the options he was prepared to discuss.

Emphasising his position, Kanu said he would not negotiate what he described as the existence of his people or accept discussions focused on appointments, restructuring or another political conference. He maintained that his demand for a referendum had not changed and that he would not compromise on the issue.

American rapper Nicki Minaj has said her Nigerian pastor influenced her decision to speak publicly about reports of persecution against Christians in Nigeria. She also called on celebrities and social media influencers to use their platforms to draw attention to the issue.

Minaj made the remarks during an X Takeover event held at Tesla’s Giga Texas facility in Austin, Texas, on Saturday. During the discussion, she spoke about her personal connection to Nigeria and the need for greater international attention to reports of violence against Christians.

Her comments add to the ongoing international discussion about religious violence and insecurity in Nigeria. She urged influential public figures to help bring the issue to a wider audience through their online platforms.

The Enugu State Government has alleged that opposition figures are planning to bring armed thugs and bandits into the state ahead of the 2027 general elections, claiming that the alleged plan is intended to create fear and raise concerns about security in the state.

The government also accused leaders of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of attempting to gain political advantage by observing a minute’s silence for an individual whom it claimed was still alive. The allegations were made public during a press conference at the Government House in Enugu on Sunday night.

The Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, said the administration of Governor Peter Mbah would not allow actions that could undermine the peace and security it said the state had maintained over the past three years. The allegations were presented by the state government; further independent confirmation of the claims was not provided in the supplied report.

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