The Presidency on Wednesday said social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VDM, should face the law over the circulation of an alleged fake audio purportedly involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated this in a post on X, accusing VDM of disseminating false content on social media.

“This VDM needs to face the weight of the law for being the conveyor and disseminator of a fake audio of President Tinubu. This is a clear case of an egregious abuse of the social media platform,” Onanuga wrote.

The presidential aide was reacting to a post by an X user, identified as Aneex, who questioned why some people believed the voice in the audio belonged to Tinubu.

The user described the audio as “cheap propaganda” and alleged that VDM was exploiting emotions to spread misinformation.

In the viral content, VeryDarkMan allegedly used the audio to call on Nigerians to reject President Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 general elections.

The development comes just days after President Tinubu secured the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress at the party’s nationwide direct primary held on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

During the exercise, Tinubu reportedly polled 10,999,162 votes, defeating his sole challenger, APC chieftain Stanley Osifo, who secured 16,503 votes from over 12 million registered party members.

Meanwhile, opposition figures are already positioning ahead of 2027, with Peter Obi expected to fly the flag of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), while former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is also expected to lead the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ticket.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has felicitated Muslim faithful in the state and the nation as whole on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir, urging unity, tolerance, sacrifice, and hope.

Mbah, in his Eid goodwill message on Tuesday, also called for charity, urging Nigerians to rise in solidarity with one another, especially the less privileged.

He said, “On the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir, I extend warm felicitations to our Muslim brothers and sisters in Enugu State and across Nigeria as they commemorate this sacred festival of faith, sacrifice, and devotion to Almighty Allah.

“Eid-el-Kabir reminds us that sacrifice lies at the very heart of true service to God and humanity. It calls to mind the profound blessings inherent in the virtues of patience, obedience, trust, and unwavering faith – values exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim and which remain timeless lessons for us all.

“At a time when our nation continues to navigate important political and economic transitions, the significance of this celebration becomes even more profound.

“Let us be reminded that we all belong to one shared humanity and our collective progress as a people depends on our ability to uphold unity, mutual respect, peace, and compassion above all divisions.

“This season, therefore, offers us another opportunity to recommit ourselves to the ideals of tolerance, sacrifice for the common good, and solidarity with one another, especially the vulnerable among us.

“As we celebrate, I urge all citizens to continue to pray for the peace, stability, and prosperity of our dear state and nation. Let us also continue to work together in harmony to build a society defined by justice, opportunity, and shared progress for all.”

He concluded by wishing the Muslim faithful a peaceful and joyous Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

• As Akpabio, Barau, Abass, govs call for sacrifice, unity, national renewal

President Bola Tinubu declared, yesterday, that Nigeria’s difficult period of economic reforms was over, saying the dark days were over and light is here.

The President’s message came as Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; his deputy, Jubril Barau; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass and governors called for sacrifice, unity and national renewal.

Tinubu said the sacrifices of Nigerians of the past three years had yielded a more stable economy, adding that the country was now positioned as a preferred investment destination.

In his Eid-el-Kabir message to Muslim faithful in Nigeria and across the world, Tinubu linked the sacrifice and the economic hardships Nigerians had endured under his administration’s reform programme.

He declared that the reforms were now delivering results but acknowledged that terrorists and bandits continued to attack communities and pledged that they would be defeated.

“Just as sacrifice brings reward, I am happy that the sacrifices and efforts we have made over the past three years have yielded a more stable economy, making our country a preferred investment destination that will drive job creation and economic growth. The walk through the dark tunnel is over, and the light is here,” Tinubu stated.

While noting that he remained confident that the reforms would continue to yield improved security and greater opportunities, the President said: “By the Grace of God, the reforms we have diligently pursued will continue to yield improved security and greater opportunities for all.”

On security, he acknowledged that insecurity had persisted in parts of the country, even after significant operational successes, including the recent joint Nigeria-US elimination of the ISIS senior leader, Abu-Bilal al-Manuki, in the Lake Chad Basin.

He said: “I am aware that, despite the best efforts of our security and intelligence agencies, including the recent elimination of a wanted ISIS leader, heartless terrorists and bandits still attack some communities.

“I assure you: you are neither abandoned nor forgotten. We will ultimately defeat all the forces of evil.’’

He also used the message to call on religious and community leaders to pray for peace and the country’s leadership, and extend charity to the less privileged during the celebration.

Akpabio, Barau, Abass call for sacrifice, unity, national renewal

In his congratulatory message to Muslim faithful, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, called for sacrifice, unity and national renewal.

In the message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, the Senate president noted that the occasion called for prayer and sober reflection on the theme of sacrifice.

He said: “This sacred occasion reminds us of Prophet Ibrahim’s unwavering faith, obedience, and willingness to sacrifice for the sake of Almighty Allah.

“These timeless virtues of devotion, selflessness, and submission to divine will are values our nation desperately needs today.

“As you share with the less privileged and extend love to neighbours of all faiths, you embody the true spirit of Nigeria.

“To all Nigerians, I urge us to use this solemn period to pray fervently for peace, security, and prosperity in our land. Let us pray for our troops in the frontlines, for farmers to return safely to their fields, and for unity to prevail over division in our Nation.”

On his part, Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), called for sustained prayers, unity, and support for the poor and vulnerable in the society as Muslims celebrate this year’s Eid-El-Kabir celebration.

In a special Sallah message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Malam Ismail Mudashir, Senator Barau rejoiced with Muslims, and urged all Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for peace, unity, and the continued progress of the country.

He said: “I wish Muslims and, indeed, all Nigerians, a peaceful and memorable Eid-El-Kabir. This season reminds us of total submission to the will of Allah, as demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim. True believers must uphold the values of sacrifice, obedience, tolerance, justice and charity.”

Speaker Abbas greets Muslims, calls for special prayers

In his message, speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen, called for renewed charity to one another, especially the poor, the needy, and the less privileged in the society, adding this was a major tenet of Islam.

In the Sallah message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, Speaker Abbas noted the significance of the celebration, saying it symbolised total submission to the will of Allah (SWT) as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim (AS).

The speaker said there were several lessons to learn from the life of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), including faith in Allah (SWT) and submission and obedience to constituted authorities.

“This period calls for a deep reflection,’’ he noted.

Speaker Abbas urged Nigerians to remain selfless and sacrifice their lives, time, and resources to the worship of Allah (SWT) and humanity.

Okpebholo, Oborevwori sue for peace, unity in Sallah messages

Governors Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, and his counterpart in Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, also yesterday, called for unity, peace and co-existence on the occasion of the Muslim’s Eid-al-Adha celebration.

They urged Nigerians to continue to uphold the virtues of sacrifice, obedience, love and peaceful coexistence as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim.

Okpebholo in statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Patrick Ebojele, said the celebration remaind a significant period for “reflection, devotion and commitment to the will of Almighty Allah,’’ stressing that the lessons of the festival should inspire citizens to work together for the peace, unity and development of the state and the nation at large”

He commended the Muslim faithful in Edo State for their continued prayers, support and contributions towards the growth and stability of the state, assuring them of his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance, infrastructural development and improved welfare for all residents.

Oborevwori, on his part, extended warm felicitations to Muslims in Delta State and across Nigeria, urging them to offer special prayers for peace, unity and development of the nation.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, the governor called on Muslim faithful to embrace the spirit of sacrifice, compassion, and selflessness which the Eid-el-Kabir celebration symbolised.