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Tag: Godswill Akpabio

  • Akpabio felicitates Muslims at Id el Maulud

    Akpabio felicitates Muslims at Id el Maulud

    President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON has congratulated the Muslim faithful as they celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad.

    Akpabio, in a congratulatory message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, the Senate President admonished Muslims in the country to emulate Prophet Muhammad’s life of peace, love and service to humanity.

    “On behalf of the Senate, my family, and constituents, I extend warm felicitations to our Muslim brothers and sisters as you celebrate the birthday of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW). May this auspicious occasion bring peace, joy, and blessings to our great nation and the world at large.

    As we commemorate the life and teachings of the Prophet, I urge you to draw inspiration from his virtues of harmony, love, and service to humanity.

    May we all strive to live in unity, embracing the values of compassion, kindness, and selflessness that the Prophet exemplified.

    I pray that this celebration ushers in a new era of peace, prosperity, and progress for our nation. May Allah bless us all with wisdom, guidance, and protection.

    Wishing you a happy and blessed Eid el Maulud celebration.”

  • Akpabio mourns Ex-IGP Arase, consoles Nigeria Police

    Akpabio mourns Ex-IGP Arase, consoles Nigeria Police

    President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON has lamented the death of former Inspector General of Police, Dr. Solomon Arase.

    Reacting to the passing of the immediate past Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Akpabio in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh described the former Inspector General of Police, Dr. Solomon Arase as a rounded professional who transformed the Nigerian police during his tenure.

    While consoling his family, the entire Nigerian police community and the people and government of Edo State, Akpabio said Nigeria has missed a gentleman and fine officer.

    “I am deeply saddened by the news of the death of Dr. Solomon Arase, a gentleman and fine officer, a thorough professional and consummate security expert who during his tenure transformed the Nigerian Police.

    “I wish to on behalf of of my family and constituents and the entire National Assembly extend my deep felt condolences to his immediate family, the Nigerian Police community, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun and governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo and the good people of the state over this sad occurrence.

    “Dr. Solomon Arase’s death was too sudden and he will be sorely missed because of his impactful life on the society. I pray that God Almighty will have mercy on his gentle soul and grant him eternal rest”

  • Akpabio mourns Governor Ododo’s father

    Akpabio mourns Governor Ododo’s father

    President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has consoled the Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Ahmed Usman Ododo, over the death of his father, Alhaji Ahmed Sani Ododo.

    Akpabio, in a condolence message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, described the death of the governor’s father as a loss to the entire people of Kogi State.

    The Senate President described late Alhaji Ahmed Sani Ododo as a committed Muslim, caring and supportive father and a strict disciplinarian. He urged Governor Ododo to take heart and be consoled by the rich legacies of his late father.

    Akpabio, on behalf of his family, constituents, the 10th Senate and entire National Assembly, shared in the pains of the loss of Alhaji Ododo. He counselled the governor and members of the family to take the demise of their patriarch as the will of Allah.

    “At this time of grief, I pray that the Almighty Allah will forgive Alhaji Ahmed Sani Ododo his shortcomings and grant him Al Jannatul Firdaus.

    “And may Allah remain merciful to the family left behind by Baba Ahmed Sanni Ododo and grant them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” the Senate President said.

  • Akpabio condoles with APC chair, Prof. Yilwatda, over mother’s death

    Akpabio condoles with APC chair, Prof. Yilwatda, over mother’s death

    President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has commiserated with the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, over the passing of his mother, Mrs Lydia Yilwatda.

    In a condolence message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio described the late Mama Lydia as “a caring and loving mother, who sacrificed for her children and the family at large”.

    He said that though Mama died at the ripe age of 83, her motherly care and counsel were still needed by her son and the current generation.

    Akpabio said he was consoled by the fact that the late Mama Lydia lived a life of service and together with her late husband, Rev Toma Yilwatda, played their roles diligently as parents, by “training their children, who are now contributing positively to the development of the society”.

    “Mama Lydia will forever be remembered for her legacies as a pillar of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), particularly the women’s wing, and the mother of the national chairman of the ruling party. Mama’s death is a big loss to the Yilwatda Family and the good people of Plateau State, but, indeed, the entire nation,” Akpabio said.

    He added: “On behalf of my family, constituents, the 10th Senate and entire National Assembly, I extend my sincere condolences to our national chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda over this sad occurrence.

    “I pray that the Almighty God will have mercy on Mama Lydia’s soul and also comfort the family at this time of grief. May Mama’s memories be a source of strength and inspiration during this period of mourning”.

  • Akpabio hails D’Tigress for FIBA 2025 triumph

    Akpabio hails D’Tigress for FIBA 2025 triumph

    …Says Nigerian women are pacesetters

    The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON has congratulated the nation’s female basketball team, the D’Tigress for winning the FIBA 2025 Women’s AfroBasket competition for a historic seventh time.

    Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, the Senate President said the feat achieved by the D’Tigress has shown that Nigerian women are pacesetters and capable of undertaking any task.

    “It is heartwarming that in a spate of two weeks, Nigeria has captured Africa twice- all feats attained by the industry and resilience of our women. Last week, it was the Super Falcons, today, we are celebrating the D’Tigress for subduing the Senegalese ladies at the semi finals and mesmerizing the Malian girls in the finals.

    “I celebrate the D’Tigress for sustaining the Nigerian spirit of discipline, determination and the quest for excellence no matter the obstacles.

    “This 7th historic and 5th consecutive title have reinforced the zeal for hardwork and the relentless crave for success in any assignment we are saddled with.

    “The Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR is clearly working and with the support of Nigerians, our country will be a better place.

    “I want to sincerely thank the D’Tigress and their technical crew for once again making us proud and serving as a source of inspiration to our young girls intending to pursue a career in sports. Congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, congratulations to our women and congratulations to our queens”.

  • The whole country is proud  in the way President Tinubu was buried – Akpabio makes shameful blunder

    The whole country is proud  in the way President Tinubu was buried – Akpabio makes shameful blunder

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday during a Senate session made a huge blunder after mistakenly referring to President Bola Tinubu as having been buried.

    TheNewsGuru.com(TNG) reports that the senate president made the mistake while trying to praise the President Tinubu-led administration on its conduct during the funeral of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Speaking, Akpabio in a slip of the tongue,said the country was proud of how President Bola Tinubu was “honored and was buried.”

    The Senate President quickly corrected himself, clarifying that he meant to say President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “And the whole country is very proud of what this administration has done in the way and manner President Bola, Ahmed Tinubu, was honored and was buried. And you can see, even from President Buhari, rather, sorry, President Buhari was honored and buried”, he said.

    The gaffe which attracted mixed reactions on social media comes  barely few days after Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma made a similar error.

    During the Constitution Review Zonal Public Hearings in Owerri, Uzodinma mistakenly referred to President Bola Tinubu as the former President and a deceased individual.

    However, Uzodinma’s solemn prayer took an unexpected turn when he made a slip of the tongue that has since triggered reactions online.

    Naija News reports that Uzodinma, while offering prayers for the demise of former President Muhammadu Buhari, said, “May the soul of former President Bola…” before pausing briefly.

    He then continued, “Former President Muhammadu Buhari, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.”

  • Natasha vs Akpabio: Rep calls for judicial clarity

    Natasha vs Akpabio: Rep calls for judicial clarity

    A member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Clement Jimbo, (APC- Akwa Ibom) has called for further judicial clarity in the ongoing legal impasse involving leadership of the Senate and suspended Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

    He made the call in a motion on personal explanation raised during plenary on Tuesday at the National Assembly in Abuja.

    Jimbo called for greater clarity and consistency in the delivery of judicial judgments across Nigeria, alleging increasing trend of court judgments being delivered with “ambiguities subject to different interpretations”.

    He argued that court judgments should be simple,  without ambiguity and not open to multiple interpretations, as it  could sow confusion and weaken the rule of law.

    Jimbo, therefore , warned that the judiciary’s credibility was at stake if judgments continued to lack the clarity necessary for enforcement, particularly in politically sensitive cases.

    “As members of parliament with the constitutional mandate to make laws for the good governance, prosperity and security of our nation, it is imperative we draw attention to these perceived inconsistencies from our judiciary.

    “There is also an urgent need to recalibrate the template on which judgments of our courts are written, expressed and delivered, to clearly convey the intentions of our judges,,” he said.

    Recall that in March, Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months for allegedly breaking the senate standing rule.

    However, Akpoti-Uduaghan challenged her suspension in court and on Saturday, the Kogi senator vowed to resume sitting on Tuesday, citing the court judgment.

    The Senate had reaffirmed, for the third time, that there was no subsisting court order mandating it to recall the senator before the expiration of her suspension.

    Attempts to resume legislative activities at the national assembly on Tuesday by the lawmaker, accompanied by her supporters were hindered by armed security agents at the complex entry points.

  • Suspension: What I will do next – Senator Natasha

    Suspension: What I will do next – Senator Natasha

    The suspended senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, says she will approach the appellate court for interpretation of the legal impasse between her and the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

    Akpoti-Uduaghan made this known while speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday after being refused entrance into the National Assembly Complex by security personnel.

    The suspended senator had on Tuesday defied a heavy security blockade and arrived at the national assembly complex on foot from the MOPOL gate, accompanied by a crowd of supporters.

    The lawmaker, whose suspension by the senate is being contested in court, parked her vehicle outside the national assembly premises and walked through the main MOPOL gate, in company with some activists, including Aisha Yesufu.

    Speaking with newsmen, Akpoti-Uduaghan, who defied the rain, insisted that her suspension was not only unjust but also procedurally flawed.

    “Even the suspension, ab initio, was fraudulent. The document that recommended my suspension wasn’t even attested to by the committee members. It was just a photocopy of an attendance sheet passed off as their signatures.

    “There is no reason whatsoever, contrary to the publications that I read yesterday (Monday), that I should not resume today because the senate has appealed my suspension judgment.

    “That’s wrong. What I appealed is the contempt and that is separate. The judgment came in two parts.

    “One was to address the contempt which is based on the satirical apology letter which I made on Facebook which the judge thought it wise in her own stride that amounts to contempt.

    “But I’m saying clearly that that doesn’t amount to contempt of court because before Justice Binta Nyako was not the matter of sexual harassment; it was the matter of suspension,” she said.

    The senator said that if she decided to go back home, that did not mean that she was not unaware of the fact that the national assembly would go into a two-month recess, beginning from Wednesday.

    “If we decide to turn our backs and go home, we are not ignorant of the fact that the national assembly is most likely going to go into recess tomorrow (Wednesday) for two months.

    “And they will resume pretty much in the last week of September and, like you rightly said, that means I would have pretty much served the six months suspension.

    “I’m saying that because as of now, I’m no longer suspended. And there’s something very important I would like to say, that even the suspension, ab initio, was fraudulent,” she said.

  • JUST IN: Akpabio not greater than Nigerian Constitution – Senator Natasha breaks silence After NASS entry denial

    JUST IN: Akpabio not greater than Nigerian Constitution – Senator Natasha breaks silence After NASS entry denial

    Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has vowed to escalate her legal battle to the Court of Appeal following her denial into the National Assembly (NASS) on Tuesday to resume representing the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District, following a court ruling.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Senator Natasha stormed NASS in the company of her supporters but was denied access.

    Natasha, who had earlier vowed to resume legislative activities on Tuesday, arrived at the NASS complex at exactly 12.20 pm. Among those who accompanied her were a prominent political activist, Aisha Yesufu and several of her supporters.

    However, the suspended Senator was barred from accessing the main building by security personnel.

    Speaking to journalists, a visibly upset Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Senate leadership of acting in contempt of court.

    She said, “Akpabio cannot be greater than the Nigerian Constitution. The Office of the Senate President does not give me legitimacy. My legitimacy comes from the people of Kogi who voted me in. The court has ruled in my favour, and an appeal does not invalidate that ruling.”

    The senator maintained that the Senate’s refusal to comply with the Federal High Court’s ruling was a blatant violation of the rule of law and a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democracy.

    The lawmaker further stated, “That I’ve been denied entrance to the National Assembly is a clear statement. The National Assembly under Akpabio has chosen to act in contempt of court. It’s ironic that those who make laws are the first to break them. How far have we come in our democracy?”

    Akpoti-Uduaghan also took aim at the legal basis for her initial suspension, which she described as “fraudulent and procedurally flawed.”

    “Even the suspension ab initio was fraudulent, the document was faulty,” she said.

    Determined to challenge what she described as a “constitutional crisis,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said she would be meeting with her legal team to initiate further legal proceedings.

    She said, “Going forward, I will meet with my legal team to proceed to the appellate court for interpretation of what just happened. I am a law-abiding citizen and will continue to pursue justice through due process.”

  • BREAKING: Why we cannot reinstate Natasha now – Senate

    BREAKING: Why we cannot reinstate Natasha now – Senate

    The Nigerian Senate has said that it cannot reinstate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan until it considers the contents of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court judgement in the case involving her and the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

    Chairman of Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Sen. Yemi Adaramodu, stated this in an interview on Sunday in Abuja.

    Recall the Senate had, on March 6, suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months amid the sexual harassment allegation she had made against Akpabio.

    The suspension came after a recommendation from the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, as presented by the Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Neda Imasuen (APC-Edo South).

    As part of the suspension, the senator’s salary and security details were withdrawn, while she was barred from accessing the National Assembly premises.

    She later took the matter to a Federal High Court, Abuja Division, where the presiding judge, Justice Binta Nyako, last week ordered the senate to recall her from suspension.

    The court, however, sanctioned Akpoti-Uduaghan for contempt and ordered her to pay N5 million fine.

    Adaramodu, who is the Senate spokesperson, said that the upper legislative chamber had applied for the CTC, stressing that until the document was received and studied, the senate could not take a position on the matter.

    “The Senate had applied for the CTC since Monday. We expect to get the document, and once we get it, we are going to comply with the content of the court order.

    “But first, the senate will sit and consider the contents of the CTC and when we look at the contents, then we shall take a position,’’ he told NAN in the interview.

    Adaramodu noted with concern that some Nigerians were fanning the Akpoti-Uduaghan matter out of their low level of understanding of the workings of the senate.

    He said that those acting in that direction were merely wishing the National Assembly to be a lawless institution.

    “The senate, by law, is empowered to make its rules that guide it. If we don’t have rules guiding us, we will become like barbarians.

    “If there is no rule on seating, it means early in the morning, I can wake up and say I want to sit where the president of the senate is sitting because he is my colleague, and that will turn the whole place into chaos and pandemonium.

    “It was on the strength of the aforesaid that the court recently averred in the case between Natasha and Akpabio that there are rules and that the senate is constitutional empowered to make rules that will guide its activities.

    “It was for this that we have Standing Orders. And enforcing the orders means that anybody that contravenes it, the aggregated whole chamber of the senate can reprimand such a person,’’ he said.

    He also expressed the regret that even when the court ruling had given vent to that, some people were still saying something else.

    “Possibly, what they were expecting was that anybody can disobey; anybody can break any rule and that the senate must not take any stand,’’ he said.

    According to him, if it is established that the senate can reprimand an offending senator and that it is not in their books how many days or hours such senator being reprimanded can be given, then it is at the discretion of the senate to apportion period for the suspension of a member being reprimanded.

    “Whoever that is not a legislator cannot understand how the legislature works,” he said.

    The senator, representing Ekiti South Senatorial District, explained that the 180 days suspension handed down to Akpoti-Uduaghan included non-parliamentary days.

    “What the senate rules say is that you should observe, adhere to and fulfill the 180 parliamentary days,’’ he said.