Politics
2023: Three ‘Critical’ Things I Want From Senators – Tinubu

The National leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and the presidential aspirant in the 2023 general election, Ahmed Bola Tinubu on Wednesday said contesting the presidency is a herculean task, saying he needed three critical things from Nigerian Senators.
He stated this while addressing the Senate APC caucus during a consultation visit to the National Assembly, Abuja.
He sought the “Counsel, Partnership and Support” of Senators so that he could be properly guided for a successful February 2023 presidential election which he would be contesting.
According to him, he fought for democracy during the military era to the extent that he was jailed alongside many other freedom fighters, among whom were Senator Abu Ibrahim from Katsina State.
He described the parliament as a strategic component to a thriving democracy, recalling that his being at the National Assembly was like a homecoming having been a Senator in the past.
READ ALSO: 2023 Presidency: ‘I Won’t Step On Buhari’s Toes’ – Tinubu
He stressed further that, though presiding over the nation was his lifetime ambition, the struggle also, was borne out of deep knowledge, vision and experience, which he believed would help him to provide good governance for the country.
He said: “I seek your advice and counsel as stakeholders in this democratic journey. I seek your partnership in my quest to become the Presidential Candidate of our party and to win the general elections in February 2023 for all APC candidates.
“This is not about gaining power. It is about securing good government for the nation. Together, the executive and legislative branches of this democratic tree must strive to cultivate and bring forth good fruit for the welfare of the people.
“I have the experience, knowledge, vision, and resilience to lead the country.”
While commending the ninth National Assembly under Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan’s leadership, Tinubu noted that the executive-legislature harmony which Lawan had ensured has created stability in the polity.
He noted that Senators have matched their works with their words, a development, he opined has put the All Progressives Congress-led government at an advantage ahead of other parties in Nigeria, adding that the APC will win the 2023 general election.
“The essence of representative democracy is the assemblage of the prudent and the wise to pass just laws for the benefit of the people.
“The legislation this body passes shall determine the fate of this nation.
“By what I have seen of your work and words, I can truly say this nation has been in good hands.
“Thank you for advancing democratic good governance and fair elections. Thank you for electoral reforms, particularly the recent Electoral Act amendments, which include the greater use of technology in the electoral process.
“The cordial relationship between the National Assembly and the Executive is something to behold. Democracy does not thrive when both arms are adversarial. More gets accomplished through cooperation than conflict.
“You have passed landmark legislation such as the Petroleum Industry Act that rationalises nearly every aspect of oil and gas production.
“Through your words and actions, you have demonstrated support for advancing democracy through bolstering the structures and processes of political parties, including our own.”
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Tinubu Meets APC Senators Caucus In NASS
Reacting, the Senate President told the august visitor that Senators on the APC platform remain united more than in readiness to face the general election.
He said President Muhammadu Buhari has achieved a lot since he came to power in 2015 despite taking over governance at a period of deepened insecurity in the name.
Lawan assured Tinubu that APC will win presidency in 2023.
Politics
FCT Area Council Elections: INEC Declares Campaigns Open

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced the commencement of campaigns by political parties for the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Area Council elections.
The Commission said this is in line with the provisions of Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 and item 8 of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for political parties participating in the election.
The electoral body stated that political parties are now at liberty to begin their electioneering campaigns in public from Wednesday, September 24, 2025, and conclude at midnight on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
READ ALSO:Things To Know As INEC Begins Physical Voter Registration Monday
“As enshrined in Sections 92 and 93 of the Electoral Act 2022, the Commission wishes to remind political parties, candidates and their supporters that it is unlawful to use abusive language, carry out physical attacks on opponents during rallies, processions and meetings or destroy their campaign materials,” a statement signed by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, said.
“Similarly, all parties and candidates must be given unimpeded access to public facilities for media campaigns, outdoor advertising as well as public rallies and meetings.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 95(2) of the Electoral Act 2022 prohibits the use of incumbency to the advantage or disadvantage of any party or candidate.”
The FCT Area Council elections will hold on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
Politics
BREAKING: EFCC Chairman, Former Rivers Sole administrator Ibas In Aso Rock

The immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, and the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, are currently at the State House in Abuja.
Although the reason for their presence at the Villa could not be immediately ascertained, it was gathered that President Bola Tinubu had summoned Ibas.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: Rivers Administrator Ibas Bows Out, Hands Over To Governor Fubara
According to Channels TV, Ibas arrived at the State House on Wednesday at around 5:50 pm.
Ibas, who took over the affairs of the state in March following the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, had last week handed power back to the governor after Tinubu lifted the six-month suspension.
Members of the State House of Assembly had also resolved to probe Ibas’s six-month administration.
Politics
Natasha Resumes At Senate, Calls Akpabio Dictator

The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Tuesday resumed legislative duties at the National Assembly after months of suspension, describing Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, as a “dictator.”
Her return followed the unsealing of her office, located in Suite 2.05 of the Senate Wing, by the Deputy Director of the National Assembly Sergeant-at-Arms, Alabi Adedeji.
Upon resumption, Senator Natasha, who has been on suspension, remained resolute, insisting that she has “no apology to tender.”
She said, “In retrospect, it is actually amazing how much we have had to pay in the past six months, from the unjust suspension to the recall. But we survived the recall, blackmail and that crazy lady on Facebook.
“It is amazing what we had to pass through, and I give God Almighty the glory and my deepest appreciation to the people of Kogi Central and Nigerians at large. To my husband, I love you dearly. I pray all men support their wives in the same manner you have supported me.
“In everything, sometimes it is good to push the institution to the test. We can’t cower in the face of injustice. No one is more Nigerian than us. Senator Akpabio is not more of a senator than I am. He is not the governor of this place, yet he treated me as if I were a servant or domestic staff in his house.
“It is so unfortunate that we will have a National Assembly being run by such a dictator. It is totally unacceptable.”
READ ALSO:Defamation Charges: Natasha Accuses FG Of Double Standard
The office had been locked since March 6, 2025, when the lawmaker was suspended from the Red Chamber.
In a video shared on Tuesday, Adedeji was seen removing the seal.
“I, Alabi Adedeji, Deputy Director, Sergeant-at-Arms, hereby unseal the office. The office is hereby unsealed. Thank you,” he declared.
Upon resumption, Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has been at the centre of a protracted standoff with the Senate leadership, maintained her defiance, stressing that she had “no apology to tender.”
The embattled lawmaker was handed a six-month suspension in March, barring her from all activities of the 10th Senate over alleged misconduct during her protest against the reassignment of her seat by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on February 20.
Although her suspension formally lapsed in September, she was unable to return due to legal tussles and resistance from Senate leadership. On July 4, however, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the suspension was excessive and unconstitutional.
READ ALSO:Natasha’s Lawyer Warns Senate Against Defying Court Order
Following the judgment, Akpoti-Uduaghan wrote to the Senate notifying it of her intention to resume duties, but the request was rebuffed by the National Assembly.
It, however, remains unclear whether Tuesday’s development restores her full privileges as a senator and if the senator will be allowed to sit with her colleagues when plenary resumes on October 7.
Meanwhile, the Senate leadership has again altered its legislative calendar, shifting the resumption of plenary sittings from September 23 to October 7, 2025.
The postponement was conveyed in an internal memo signed by the Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Chinedu Akubueze.
The shift in date has raised eyebrows within the National Assembly as it extends the chamber’s annual recess by another two weeks.
While no official reason was given, sources told our correspondent that the delay was intended to allow lawmakers to fully observe the Independence Day celebrations on October 1.
READ ALSO:Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman
In the memo titled “Notice of Shift in Plenary Resumption Date,” Akubueze also apologised to the senators for the belated information.
It read, “This is to respectfully inform distinguished senators that the resumption of plenary sitting of the Senate, earlier scheduled for Tuesday, 23rd September, 2025, has been shifted to Tuesday, 7th October, 2025.
“Any inconvenience this short notice may cause is deeply regretted. Distinguished senators are kindly invited to note the postponement and adjust their schedules accordingly.
“Thank you for your kind understanding, and God bless.”
The Senate had adjourned plenary on July 24 for its annual recess.
At the time, the Senate President justified the move as an act of “chamber reciprocity,” since members of the House of Representatives had also embarked on a break in line with the legislative calendar.
With the latest adjustment, critical debates and pending motions—including oversight inquiries into government spending and executive appointments—will remain on hold.
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