A viral Facebook video circulated claims that the United Nations issued a 60-day ultimatum to the Nigerian government over the detention of Nnamdi Kanu.

Social media users expressed mixed reactions, with some welcoming the claims and others dismissing them as false and misleading.

Nigerian fact-checking organisation DUBAWA established that the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention lacked the power to issue ultimatums or enforce sanctions and that the claims were false

A viral Facebook video has sparked renewed debate over the detention of Nnamdi Kanu, with claims that the United Nations issued a 60-day ultimatum to the Nigerian government to release him.

In the footage, the narrator claimed:

“Now that the UN has officially certified that the government is holding Kanu illegally in defiance of a direct order, the US can legally freeze aid, deny visas to judges, and even block military equipment transfers.”

The video further alleged that the federal government assembled an emergency legal team to seek a last-minute stay of execution on national security grounds, but that the plea was rejected by the UN after a supposed 60-day deadline elapsed. The post quickly gained traction online, recording hundreds of reactions, comments and shares within days of publication.

Facebook users expressed sharply divided views over the claims. Some welcomed the development, while others dismissed it as misleading.

One user, Ernest Asuquo, described the report as positive but criticised Nigeria for what he called a record of disobeying court orders.

Another commenter, Eleanya Obasi, wrote: “Thank you for sharing updates for all government Matters Arising from Naija.”

However, scepticism was also evident. Friday Ibrahim commented:

“I admire Nnamdi Kanu’s courage over his constitutional right for what he believes is the way forward, but you guys are always posting fake news about Nnamdi Kanu’s case.”

Rasheed Adebayo added: “I love Nnamdi Kanu for passion (sic.) and as a man of himself. But this is fake news. Please try to decimate factual news because we are not nonentities here.”

As reported by DUBAWA, they traced the origin of the claims to a 2022 opinion by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. In that year, the UNWGAD urged the Nigerian government to release Kanu unconditionally and compensate him, describing his extradition from Kenya in June 2021 as unlawful.

The working group also requested updates from Nigeria and Kenya within six months on steps taken to implement its recommendations.

Despite the opinion, Nigeria proceeded with Kanu’s prosecution, a development widely reported by credible media organisations. However, no evidence to support claims that the UN issued a 60-day ultimatum or threatened sanctions.

According to the fact-check, the UNWGAD is an advisory body and lacks the authority to impose deadlines, sanctions or enforcement measures on sovereign states.

The working group does not operate a colour-coded alert system, nor does it automatically refer cases to the UN Security Council. Its follow-up process is limited to requesting information from governments on actions taken.

The video also suggested that Nigeria risked frozen assets and international sanctions if Kanu was not released.

However, DUBAWA noted that international law does not permit the automatic release of detainees or seizure of a country’s assets based solely on a missed UN recommendation timeline.

No precedent exists for freezing a nation’s central bank accounts because a UN working group’s opinion was not implemented.

Findings from DUBAWA show that the United Nations did not issue a 60-day ultimatum to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government over Kanu’s detention.

The UNWGAD’s opinions remain non-binding recommendations without enforcement powers.

As such, claims circulating on social media that the UN ordered Nigeria to release Nnamdi Kanu within a deadline, or face sanctions, are false.

National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Global, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, has raised alarm over alleged irregularities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council election held on Saturday, accusing electoral officials of deliberately withholding results from key polling areas.

Tanko alleged that officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) refused to announce results from locations where the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dr. Moses Paul, popularly known as Dr Mo, was reportedly leading.

According to him, results from Gwarinpa, Garki and Karu had been ready since about 9 p.m. on Saturday but were yet to be officially declared.

“The situation in this country is becoming more alarming than I imagined,” he said. “Reports reaching us at the Situation Room indicate that results from Gwarinpa, Garki and Karu were ready as early as nine o’clock, yet they have refused to announce them simply because Dr Mo is leading.”

He further alleged that tensions had escalated in the affected areas, claiming that security operatives had deployed tear gas amid growing unrest.

“That is why there is chaos in those places. As we speak, there is heavy mobilisation and tear gas has been fired at people,” Tanko alleged.

The Obidient Movement coordinator called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and urged leaders of the ADC to take a firm stance against what he described as attempts to manipulate the electoral process.

“This is the time for ADC political leaders to speak with one voice and say no to election rigging. The target, clearly, is to rig out Dr Mo, who is already leading,” he said.

Tanko also warned that the alleged actions could be a precursor to broader electoral malpractice ahead of future general elections.

“This is a test case for what they want to do during the general election. We must resist it now,” he added.

He urged supporters and concerned citizens to mobilise peacefully and demand transparency from electoral authorities.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, stating that his achievements in the territory yielded political dividends for the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The President’s remarks followed Saturday’s elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission in the six area councils of the FCT, as well as by-elections in Ahoada East II and Khana II state constituencies in Rivers State and Kano Municipal and Ungogo constituencies in Kano State.

The APC recorded victories in most of the positions contested.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu congratulated the winners of the elections and lauded stakeholders involved in the process.

According to the statement, the President praised INEC, security agencies and voters for ensuring a peaceful and credible exercise.

Onanuga stated, “President Tinubu commends the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for his remarkable achievements in the territory, which have yielded political dividends to the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The President congratulates the APC national leadership, Kano and Rivers leaderships, and all members of the party on the victories at the polls.”

Tinubu urged those elected to approach their mandate with a sense of duty and responsibility.

The President also commended the contestants for their conduct during the polls.

“He further commends the courage and discipline displayed by all the contestants, stating that democracy is enriched with the vibrancy of participation and competition,” the statement added.

While affirming that the successful conduct of the elections further strengthened democratic institutions, Tinubu encouraged INEC to continue improving its processes.

The President called on the electoral body “to continue improving its efforts to deliver even more exemplary electoral processes.”