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Natasha Fires Back At Akpabio, Denies Violating Court Order

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The suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Friday dismissed the allegation that she violated the court order restraining her from granting interviews or posting anything related to her sexual advances claim against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on social media.

Natasha was responding to Akpabio’s fresh suit demanding an apology for her ‘tongue-in-cheek apology.’

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On April 27, Akpoti-Uduaghan shared a short video on her Facebook account where she sarcastically apologised to the former Akwa Ibom State governor, saying her regret was not allowing him to have his way with her.

The senator stated that she was “sorry for the crime of maintaining dignity and self-respect” and for rejecting the advances of the Senate President, whom she implied believed no one could refuse him.

READ ALSO: Natasha Drags Ebonyi Senator To Court Over TV interview, Demands N5bn

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Infuriated by her perceived pettiness, Akpabio, in a fresh application filed by his legal counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, asked an Abuja Federal High Court to order Akpoti-Uduaghan to delete the video because it violated the court’s directive.

Ogunwumiju also requested the court to order Akpoti-Uduaghan to remove the post from all her social media accounts.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, however, refuted the allegation in a counter-affidavit on Friday, arguing that her post did not violate the court’s gag order.

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She said, “I state that the allegations contained therein are misleading, inaccurate, and do not reflect the true state of affairs. That save as are herein expressly admitted, I deny each and every allegation, assertion, conclusion, insinuation, and averment contained in the affidavit in support of the Motion on Notice dated 5th May 2025.”

READ ALSO: Tension As Gunmen Attack Senator Natasha’s Family Residence

“My Facebook post of 27th April 2025, styled “Satirical Apology Letter,” neither mentions this action nor references any matter subjudice; it is political satire on patriarchal norms in the legislature and is protected speech under Section 39(1) of the Constitution.

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“The post did not (and could not) prejudice these proceedings. No evidence of actual or likely prejudice has been supplied by the Applicant. On the 4th May 2025, Mr Monday Ubani, SAN (counsel to the applicant), published a Facebook post commenting directly on these proceedings and vilifying me.

“That the instant Molion is borne of malice and intended to harass, intimidate, and scandalise me for exercising my constitutionally guaranteed right to a fair hearing and to free expression.”

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INEC Fixes Voter Registration Resumption Dates For Anambra Election, Nationwide

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will resume in Anambra on July 17 and nationwide on Aug. 18.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this at the commission’s quarterly meeting with political parties on Thursday in Abuja.

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Yakubu said that in view of the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra, the CVR exercise would be held at two levels.

He said the exercise would commence in the 326 wards across the state on July 8 and end on July 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, including the weekend.

READ ALSO: Anambra Governorship: INEC Publishes Final List, Announces Date For Campaign

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During the registration period, new voters as well as those who wish to transfer their registration to Anambra from other states of the federation or from one location to another within the state will have the opportunity to do so.

“Similarly, registered voters whose Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) were lost or damaged will have the opportunity to apply for replacement.

“Uncollected PVCs from previous registrations will also be available for collection at the registration centres.

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“Interested eligible Nigerian citizens are encouraged to appear in person to register,” he said.

The INEC chairman, however, explained that the online pre-registration option is currently unavailable.

READ ALSO: INEC Releases Details Of 16 Anambra Guber Candidates

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Yakubu added that voter registration and compilation of the voters’ register must be completed not later than 90 days before the date fixed for the election as provided by law.

For the nationwide CVR, the commission has approved resumption of the online and in-person registration of voters in all states of the federation.

“The online pre-registration will start on Aug. 18, while the in-person registration will follow on Aug. 25.

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“The exercise will be held simultaneously in all states and the FCT as well as the 774 Local Government Area offices nationwide,” he said.

Yakubu said the detailed schedule of activities would be released soon.
(NAN)

 

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2027: Drama As Two ‘ADA’ Emerge In INEC’s List Of 110 Party Registration Bids

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Two political associations seeking registration as political parties have submitted identical acronyms to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

According to Vanguard, the first is the All Democratic Alliance, ADA, being promoted by Chief Akin Ricketts and said to be one of the special purpose vehicles that the anti-Tinubu coalition is seeking to use as a platform in the 2027 general election.

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While the Ricketts ADA is 109 on the INEC list, the other ADA, Advanced Democratic Alliance, is 110, the last one the list unveiled by the electoral umpire.

This second ADA has Alhaji Ahmadu Suleiman as Protem Chairman and Zipporah Pius Miracles as Secretary.

READ ALSO: Atiku, El-Rufai Coalition Seeks INEC Registration For New Party

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The Ricketts ADA has its national headquarters at Ground Floor, UAC Complex, Plot 273 Samuel Adesujo Ademulegun Street, CBD, Abuja, FCT.

Suleiman’s ADA has its national headquarters at 1 Frandriance Close, Off Oda Crescent, Off Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja.

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, no fewer than 110 political associations have written to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, seeking registration as political parties.

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Damagum Is PDP’s Problem – Ex-Benue Gov Suswam

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Former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, on Wednesday declared that the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Umar Damagum, is the problem of the party.

Suswam, who insisted that Damagum is not a leader, said the party has been drifting downwards since he assumed the role of acting National Chairman.

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Featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the former governor said, “There is no integrity in the leadership of PDP, I’m happy that Wike said it.

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“I have consistently said that Damagum is not a leader. What has happened here is that after the meeting with INEC, a good leader would have met with the National Working Committee members to brief them before holding any press conference.

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“Damagum has been the problem of the PDP since he assumed the acting National Chairman of the party. The party has been drifting downward, I have said this thing consistently.

“First and foremost, he breached the provisions of the constitution which said that he must act for a period and this position must go back to the North Central.”

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