Politics

Internal Wrangling Takes Toll On APC, PDP

Published

4 years ago

March 20, 2022

Editor

The intrigues that have rattled the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have taken a toll on both parties and threaten their electoral fortunes in the 2023 elections, according to findings by Sunday Independent.

The ruling APC is presently embroiled in a leadership crisis, which President Muhammadu Buhari fears may make the party suffer a worse fate than that of the PDP in 2015.

In the PDP, the governors of Rivers and Edo States, a few days ago, got into a feud over the structure of the party.

Obaseki and Wike are currently at daggers drawn over the purported verbal attacks on the deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, by the latter for threatening to quit the party if their supporters were not integrated fully into the PDP.

The rift between Wike and the Edo governor stemmed from a comment made by Shaibu suggesting that many supporters of Obaseki, who defected with the governor from the APC to the PDP are not happy and did not feel accepted into the new party.

Shaibu asked the national leadership of the PDP to “integrate” his supporters and those of his principal into the party, threatening that there are possibilities of an exodus.

This did not go down well with the Rivers governor who tongue-lashed Shaibu, calling him an ingrate, just as he also asked the national chairman of the PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, to constitute a disciplinary committee against Shaibu, stressing that if this was not done, he (Wike) would invoke sanctions of the party against the deputy governor.

However, Obaseki, who saw the attacks on his deputy as unacceptable, described Wike’s action as most unfortunate and uncalled for, saying, if Wike was one who showed respect and courtesy to his colleague-governors, he would have ordinarily reached out to him to express his concerns about the views made by Shaibu, rather than embark on unwarranted public onslaught.

This, however, led to exchange of verbal attacks between the duo, with Obaseki accusing Wike of attempting to cow, intimidate, cajole and threaten others into doing his bidding.

Wike on his part, alleged that the Edo governor has refused to be grateful to the party and the people who supported him to be re-elected when he left the APC.

Meanwhile, concerned leaders of both parties have called for caution ahead of the forthcoming general elections, warning that if care is not taken, these crises may spell doom for them in the electoral exercise.

The leadership crisis in the APC has compelled President Buhari to caution their leaders to get their acts together unless they want the party to suffer a fate worse than that suffered by the PDP prior to the 2015 general elections.

The party’s internal crisis took a turn for the worse a few weeks ago when the Niger State governor, Abubakar Bello, controversially took over the APC leadership from his Yobe State counterpart, Mai Mala Buni.

Buni was reportedly butted out of office as APC’s acting chairman for alleged anti-party conduct ahead of the party’s much anticipated National Convention.

It was gathered that the party’s governors masterminded Buni’s dismissal, having noted the latter’s alleged plot to sabotage the March 26 event.

His removal, according to the governors, was also sanctioned by President Buhari before the president commenced his latest medical trip to the United Kingdom.

However, the President, in a statement last week, signed by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, did not acknowledge his role in the party’s leadership crisis but cautioned its members against repeating the PDP’s mistakes while in power.

“Yes, we are entitled to our own share of dissent and intra-party discord. These are common in all parties, left and right all over the world.

“But parties splintered by competing egos destined themselves to the worst possible fate,” Buhari noted.

Politics

Natasha Resumes At Senate, Calls Akpabio Dictator

Published

54 minutes ago

September 24, 2025

Editor

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.”

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.

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.

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.

Politics

Defamation Charges: Natasha Accuses FG Of Double Standard

Published

13 hours ago

September 23, 2025

Editor

The lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Monday, launched a strong legal offensive against the Federal Government, describing the criminal defamation charges filed against her as a brazen act of political persecution and an exhibition of double standard by the Federal Government.

In a preliminary objection seeking the dismissal of the six counts filed against her by the Attorney General of the Federation, the Kogi senator contended that while the Federal Government was quick to file charges against her based on the complaint of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, the same government ignored her own earlier petitions against Akpabio.

The charges, filed under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, were brought following petitions by Akpabio and ex-Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, over remarks she allegedly made during a public address and a television interview.

Her arraignment on June 20 drew national attention, with many opposition figures alleging that the case was politically motivated.

She was granted bail on self-recognition after pleading not guilty.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, is being prosecuted by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar.

In her defence on Monday, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed preliminary objections before both the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory and the Federal High Court, challenging the jurisdiction of the courts and insisting that the Attorney-General of the Federation has no locus standi to prosecute what she described as a private defamation case.

Her legal team, led by four Senior Advocates of Nigeria—Prof. Roland Otaru (SAN); Dr. E. West-Idahosa (SAN); J.J. Usman (SAN); and M.J. Numa (SAN)—argued that the charges were “unconstitutional, frivolous, and designed to intimidate opposition voices.”

The defence further submitted exhibits showing that her comments fell within the ambit of public discourse and media commentary, noting that prosecuting her statements as crimes was inconsistent with democratic norms.

Her lawyers maintained that: “Defamation matters are inherently civil in nature and that attempting to criminalise them constitutes intimidation, suppresses free speech, and represents a misuse of the criminal justice system.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan also accused the authorities of selective justice, alleging that while her petitions over threats to her life by the complainants were ignored, the same institutions hastily filed charges against her.

She contends that the disparity represents a violation of her constitutional rights, “particularly Section 42, and represents discriminatory prosecution because of my opposition political affiliation.”

The charges centre on her claim that Akpabio allegedly instructed Bello to have her killed in Kogi State—a statement she reportedly made at a public gathering in Ihima on April 4, 2025, and later repeated during a television interview.

Prosecutors say the remarks were false, malicious, and capable of inciting violence, endangering lives, and breaching public order.

Her defence team has urged the courts to dismiss the charges at the preliminary stage, warning that allowing the matter to proceed would not only waste taxpayers’ resources but also undermine the credibility of the justice system.

Her strong pushback comes just hours after the Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned the matter to October 20, following an objection raised by her counsel, Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN).

Meanwhile, a coalition of women’s rights organisations has taken the standoff between Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate to the United Nations, accusing Senate leadership of gender-based discrimination.

In a formal complaint submitted on Monday to UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls, Reem Alsalem, the Womanifesto Network—representing more than 350 organisations—argued that the Senate’s actions breach Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women which the country ratified in 1985.

“This is about the integrity of our democracy. If a senator can be silenced for reporting harassment, what hope do ordinary women have?” asked the group’s convener, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi.

The complaint urges the UN to pressure Nigeria’s government and the Senate to comply with a Federal High Court ruling by reinstating Akpoti-Uduaghan immediately, and to establish an impartial investigation into her harassment claim.

Signatories to the petition include Amnesty International Nigeria, FIDA Nigeria, Baobab for Women’s Human Rights, Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), and Stand to End Rape.

The activists warned that the Senate’s refusal to comply with the court order sends a dangerous signal to women in politics.

“This case shows that sexual harassment in politics isn’t just a personal violation—it’s a threat to women’s participation in governance,” the petition states.

As of press time, the UN Special Rapporteur’s office had not yet responded.

Akpoti-Uduaghan went public on February 20 with allegations that Senate President Godswill Akpabio harassed her—claims Akpabio has strongly denied. Days later, the Senate’s Ethics and Privileges Committee recommended a six-month suspension, citing breaches of parliamentary procedure.

The suspension stripped her of salary, security, and access to the chamber, drawing outrage from civil society groups who said the punishment was retaliatory and disproportionate.

On July 4, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled the suspension unconstitutional and ordered her reinstatement. But the Senate has blocked her return, arguing that the judgment contained no binding reinstatement order and remains “under litigation.”

Politics

Why I Visited Tinubu —Gov Fubara

Published

13 hours ago

September 23, 2025

Editor

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has revealed that he met President Bola Tinubu to officially inform him of his return after his suspension was lifted.

The governor, who was recently reinstated after six months of emergency rule in the state, was at the State House on Monday evening.

Addressing journalists shortly after the closed-door meeting, Fubara said he had a father-and-son discussion with the president on the way forward.

According to him, he sought Tinubu’s advice on certain matters to prevent another round of crisis in the state.

He said, “You are aware that the suspension was lifted midnight, 17th and I resumed on the 19th. I’m here to tell Mr President that I’m back and have also resumed my responsibility as Governor of Rivers State.

“It was a father and son discussion, telling him thank you and the areas he should guide me properly, so we don’t have a crisis again.”