Politics

Natasha Resumes At Senate, Calls Akpabio Dictator

Published

1 month ago

September 24, 2025

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

JUST IN: Reps In Rowdy Session, Reject Key Motions

Published

42 minutes ago

November 4, 2025

Editor

The plenary session of the House of Representatives on Tuesday turned rowdy after members voted against some motions of urgent public importance, which bordered on the protection of lives and key government assets.

With the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, presiding, the session became rowdy, as members dissolved into a closed-door session to restore order.

It all started when the member representing Somolu Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Ademorin Kuye, drew the attention of his colleagues to what he called the illegal allocation of lands within the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex and prayed the House to refer the matter to the Committee on Public Assets for investigation.

Kuye, a member of the All Progressives Congress is the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Assets.

Proposing an amendment to the prayers, Delta lawmaker and Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Francis Waive, argued that though the matter brought before the Green Chamber is urgent enough, the Committee on Commerce, not Public Assets, should be in charge of the investigation.

Waive was supported by Akwa Ibom lawmaker, Mark Esset, who argued that “It is the Committee on Commerce that should take responsibility on this matter.”

On the other hand, Yusuf Gagdi representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency, Plateau State, supported Kuye, stating that the Public Assets Committee should be allowed to take charge of investigating the allegation of illegal land sale and submit a report to the House.

With no end to the back-and-forth argument in sight, Gbefwi Gaza (SDP, Nasarawa) on the advice of Kalu, proposed the constitution of an Ad-hoc Committee comprising members of both Committees (Public Assets and Commerce) to conduct the probe.

When subjected to a voice vote, almost an equal number of lawmakers voted in support and against the motion.

Not sure whose voices were louder, Kalu gave it to the nays, sparking unrest in the chamber.

Next on the order of urgent motions was Mohammed Bio representing Baruten/Kaima Federal Constituency, Kwara State.

Bio who lamented the worsening security situation in his constituency, prayed the House to urge the military to establish a base in the crisis-prone areas to stem the tides of attacks.

This time, more lawmakers voted against the motion, to the surprise of Kalu and the Kwara lawmaker.

It became clear to Kalu that members had resolved to frustrate the day’s session owing to the rejection of Kuye’s motion.

So, when again voices thundered against Ayodeji Alao-Akala’s motion which drew members’ attention to the need to address Nigeria’s description as a “Country of Particular Concern” by the United States President, Mr Donald Trump; Kalu allowed the motion to pass, forcing members to openly oppose the decision.

Voices of dissent rent the chambers and the plenary was suspended for a closed-door session.

…Details later

Politics

Obaseki’s Media Aide Tackles Edo Information Commissioner Over Alleged ₦600bn Debt

Published

2 hours ago

November 4, 2025

Editor

A former Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has denied leaving a debt of N600bn, urging the Monday Okpehbolo-led administration to crosscheck from the Debt Management Office (DMO) before “spewing lies.”

The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, had on Monday in Benin claimed that the immediate past administration in the state left a whooping ₦600bn debt.

Reacting to Afegbua’s claim via video call on Tuesday, Obaseki’s Media Adviser, Crusoe Osagie, challenged the current administration in the state to visit the DMO to see whether Edo drew such debt.

Crusoe, who said no government at whatever level has capacity to draw loans or enter into any debt arrangement without the knowledge and approval of the DMO, said lies being spewed by the Okpebholo’s administration is giving the country a bad image.

He said information of such gives the impression that the state is being governed by people who don’t understand what it means to run a government.

Crusoe described the claim as false and outrightly out of place.

On the planned probe of Mosium of West Africa Arts (MOWA), Crusoe noted that MOWA remained an international brand that entered into a business agreement with Edo State with all T’s crossed and all I’s dotted.

He insisted that every record about the transaction between Radisson Hotel and the Edo State government was contained in the transition report.

He said: “MOWA is an international investment drawing funds from the German government, the United Kingdom’s government, and the French government for its development. You think such an investment will be put on a land that was not ceded to that organization by the state.

“These people just come out there and toss all kinds of irresponsible information out there. At the end of the day what happens is that all of these turn around to form the intelligence that gathered out of Nigeria by the international community.

“It makes these countries think that the country is a failed state and the place is not being governed.”

Politics

Ijaw Leaders Commend Gov Diri Defection to APC, Describe Decision As Bold, Strategic

Published

8 hours ago

November 4, 2025

Editor

The Ijaw Leaders Consultative Forum (ILCF) has commended Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on his decision to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement signed by the Convener, Hendrick Opukeme, the ILCF described the governor’s move as a “strategic and a “bold declaration of statesmanship”.

The group noted that Governor Diri’s decision has repositioned the Ijaw voice within the national equation, rekindled hope, relevance, and responsibility for the Ijaw people across the Niger Delta and beyond.

The ILCF pledged its unwavering support and collaborative commitment to ensure that the transition becomes a redefinition of Ijaw destiny in the Nigerian project.

The statement reads, “The Ijaw Leaders Consultative Forum (ILCF), on behalf of the elders, stakeholders, and traditional leadership across the length and breadth of the Ijaw nation, conveys its heartfelt solidarity, commendation, and national applause on your courageous and strategic decisions to align with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Your Excellency, this historic political realignment is not merely a matter of partisan affiliation — it is a strategic national statement, a bold declaration of statesmanship, and a clear assertion of Ijaw political maturity in the unfolding
dynamics of Nigeria’s democracy. By this act, you have repositioned the Ijaw voice within the larger national equation and rekindled a sense of renewed hope,
relevance, and responsibility for our people across the Niger Delta and beyond.

“Your decision resonates deeply with the Ijaw consciousness — that of courage in conviction, resilience in adversity, and foresight in leadership. It has sent a message
of awakening and unity throughout the three zones of the Ijaw nation: Western, Central, and Eastern Ijaw.

“The Stakeholders meeting was coordinated by the Hon. Commissioner for Ijaw National Affairs, Bayelsa state government, HRM, God’spower Tam Oporomo, Tara Eza 1st, Pere of Kierebiri – Mein, Bomadi LGA Delta State
At the enlarged stakeholders’ political consultative meeting convened by the Executive Committee of the Ijaw Leaders Consultative Forum (ILCF) on Saturday, November 3, 2025, at the Ijaw House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, leaders, youths, women, and opinion moulders from all three zones of the Ijaw nation were in massive attendance.

“The collective resolution of that meeting was an overwhelming
endorsement of your political movement and an expression of total solidarity with your visionary step toward national integration and transformative partnership.

“Your Excellency, this move, properly consolidated, will reposition Bayelsa State and the entire Ijaw nation at the heart of Nigeria’s developmental agenda. We see in your action the dawn of a new political synergy that transcends rhetoric — a synergy of purpose, unity, and strategic engagement with the centre.

“The ILCF, therefore, pledges its unwavering support and collaborative commitment to ensure that this transition becomes not just a change of party, but a redefinition of Ijaw destiny in the Nigerian project. We call on all Ijaw sons and
daughters, at home and in the diaspora, to rally around your leadership and align with this evolving national movement anchored on inclusion, justice,

“May the Almighty continue to guide and strengthen you as you lead our people with wisdom, courage, and divine purpose.With profound respect and patriotic regards”, the group added.

Meanwhile, the governor’s defection to APC was celebrated at a grand ceremony in Yenagoa, attended by top government officials, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and other governors. Governor Diri stated that his decision was not driven by personal ambition but by the desire to advance Bayelsa’s unity and development.

The APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, urged Governor Diri to deliver Bayelsa State to President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election, saying, “Take this as a symbol of strength, symbol of unity, unite our party, make it stronger and bring all the votes”.