TheNewsGuru

Tag: Godswill Akpabio

  • We were not elected to fight Tinubu – Akpabio

    We were not elected to fight Tinubu – Akpabio

    Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the Nigerian Senate, has said lawmakers were not elected to engage in confrontation with the executive arm of government but to foster policies that promote national development.

    Akpabio said this in an upcoming documentary to mark two years of the Bola Tinubu administration, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President’s spokesman, said in a statement on Tuesday.

    Akpabio was reflecting on the importance of cooperation between the National Assembly (NASS) and the Executive when he made the comment.

    “When elected into the National Assembly, whether in the Senate or the House of Representatives, your constituents will not give you boxing gloves.

    “It’s not a boxing tournament. You are there to work in a bipartisan manner for the interest of Nigeria,” Akpabio said.

    The President of the Senate emphasised that the relationship between both arms of government had been cordial over the past two years, owing to a shared vision for the country’s progress.

    “If you spend all your energy fighting the Executive, who will work for Nigeria?” he queried.

    He added that the current administration was unique in Nigeria’s history, with a President, First Lady, and Vice President, all former senators.

    Highlighting legislative priorities, Akpabio said the National Assembly was working on a bill mandating Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to prioritise procuring locally assembled vehicles over imported alternatives.

    “We have started the bill for enacting legislation to enable us first purchase automobiles from Nigerian companies before thinking of importing them,” he said.

    “We lose billions of dollars annually importing vehicles and other items that can be produced locally,” he said.

    Akpabio underscored the urgent need to revive Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, citing the collapse of the textiles industry and cash crops, such as cotton, groundnut and palm oil, which were once the bedrock of the economy.

    “Over 50 textile companies have left Nigeria. The cotton industry collapsed. The groundnut industry collapsed. The palm oil industry collapsed. Look at countries like Malaysia that have leveraged palm oil to boost their economies,” he lamented.

    Akpabio praised the “Nigeria First” policy championed by the Tinubu administration, describing it as a “fantastic” initiative that deserved legislative backing.

    He said discussions were ongoing with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council to promote laws ensuring Nigeria produced most of what it consumed.

    “We are going to make laws and produce bills that ensure almost every item we consume that can be produced in Nigeria is produced in Nigeria.

    “Taking Nigeria first means bringing industries back to the country to serve our population of over 200 million,” he said.

    Akpabio called for more support for local entrepreneurs, noting that even small-scale production ventures such as vinegar or bread could thrive in Nigeria’s vast consumer market.

    “Even if you produce vinegar and bag it well, it will fly. If you produce bread, you will be a millionaire considering the kind of population that we have,” he stated.

    He promised that the National Assembly would pass the necessary legal instruments to sustain this industrial renaissance and reduce the country’s import dependence.

    Regarding checks and balances, Akpabio refuted claims that the legislature was merely rubber-stamping executive decisions.

    He noted that the National Assembly had occasionally rejected presidential nominees when necessary.

    “People forget that we have made enemies by rejecting some of the nominees that the President sent to us. It’s not everything the President brings that he takes back the same way,” he said.

    Akpabio maintained that the Assembly’s role was to scrutinise, amend, and support executive actions that aligned with national interest.

    “Our job is to make sure we cross the T’s and dot the I’s to assist the President in having the best for the Nigerian population,” said Akpabio.

    He assured Nigerians that the 10th National Assembly would continue prioritising pro-people legislation supporting the President’s bold reform agenda.

    “This government is not a government of theory; it’s a government of action. So, for us in the National Assembly, we are very focused on pro-people legislation,” Akpabio stated.

    He cited several landmark legislative interventions that aligned with the administration’s reforms, including the Student Loan Act (NELFUND), Tax reform bills and the Minimum Wage Bill.

    “We have done quite a lot in just two years. I assure Nigerians that more people-focused laws are coming: laws that will reduce hardship, open the economy, and empower young people.

    “From the perspective of the National Assembly, we have scrutinised almost every bill that the President has brought. We have aligned it with the Nigerian people’s realities and needs and supported it by ensuring they are speedily passed.

    “We don’t waste time on anything that will enhance the living standard of Nigerians,” he said.

  • Akpabio: Senator Natasha petitions IG over s3xual harassment

    Akpabio: Senator Natasha petitions IG over s3xual harassment

    Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Hadiza Akpoti-Uduaghan has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of masterminding a coordinated smear campaign aimed at discrediting her and silencing her s3xual harassment allegations.

    In the petition submitted through her legal team led by Dr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa, SAN, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan alleges that her safety, reputation, and political career are under attack in what she describes as a “malicious campaign of criminal defamation, cyber-stalking, conspiracy, and attempted assassination” engineered by the Senate President.

    The petition, supported by what her lawyers described as “incontrovertible evidence from public broadcasts, witness testimonies, media reports, and expert analyses,” claims the retaliatory campaign began shortly after the senator publicly accused Akpabio of sexual harassment on national television on February 28, 2025.

    “In the weeks following our client’s suspension from the Senate, a previously unknown individual styling herself as ‘Professor Mgbeke’ began publishing sympathetic commentaries on Facebook… however, what followed shocked our client,” the petition reads.

    “Immediately after our client declined any form of transactional engagement, ‘Prof. Mgbeke’ began what evolved into a deliberate, malicious and coordinated campaign of character assassination.”

    According to the petition, the woman behind the online persona “Prof. Mgbeke” was later identified as Dr. Sandra Chidinma Duru, a Nigerian resident in Texas. Senator Natasha claimed she only discovered Duru’s true identity after a live broadcast on May 1, 2025, and subsequent journalistic investigations.Nigerian fashion

    “She had never heard the name Sandra Duru until law enforcement officers requested she identify her. The deception, the manipulation of public sentiment, and the ultimate betrayal formed the foundation of a well-orchestrated campaign designed to destroy our client’s public image,” the petition notes.

    The petition directly links Senator Akpabio to Dr. Duru’s alleged smear campaign, citing a revealing May 1 broadcast in which Duru inadvertently exposed her phone’s call log. The log allegedly contained saved contacts such as “My Daddy Directline,” “IGP Kayode,” “Senator Akpabio” (with two different numbers), and “Oby Ndukwe,” among others.

    “These are not coincidences,” the petition argues. “The presence of these names, particularly those occupying high-level positions within Nigeria’s security architecture, strongly suggests that Senator Akpabio and Dr. Duru were acting in concert, possibly with the support or knowledge of certain police officials.”Nigerian fashion

    A key figure mentioned in the petition is Monday Ubani, SAN, a Senior Legislative Aide and legal counsel for Senator Akpabio, who reportedly praised “Prof. Mgbeke” after her broadcast despite widespread public condemnation of its content.

    “Mr. Ubani’s eulogy, when viewed alongside the call log linking ‘Prof. Mgbeke’ to Senator Akpabio, suggests insider awareness and tacit approval from Akpabio’s inner circle,” the petition adds.

    In one of the most disturbing parts of the broadcast, Duru allegedly accused Senator Natasha of being part of a conspiracy to “remove the Yoruba government,” a claim the petition describes as not just defamatory, but treasonous.

    “This assertion, by its very nature, imputes that our client was involved in a plot against the executive arm of the Federal Government… The deliberate use of ethnic framing was meant to incite national disaffection and trigger security backlash against her,” the petition warns.

    The legal team noted that Dr. Duru’s sudden hostility began when the senator refused her demands for financial compensation under the guise of managing her public image.

    The petition states that “Duru demanded to be paid for what she portrayed as a capacity to ‘frame narratives’ and rally digital support,” but after Natasha declined, Duru shifted to threats and character attacks.

    Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was controversially suspended from the Senate in March 2025 for six months, officially over alleged misconduct and a dispute involving seating arrangements. However, critics described the suspension as a politically motivated attempt to suppress her sexual harassment claims.

    “The backdrop of this case is one of personal grievance: Senator Akpabio, feeling aggrieved and ‘traumatised’ by the public accusation, had clear motive to retaliate and discredit Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan in any way possible,” the petition argues.

    Central to the accusations is Dr. Duru’s Facebook broadcast aired on May 1, 2025. The broadcast, which lasted over an hour, was described in the petition as a “classic case of criminal defamation and cyberstalking,” packed with “outrageous false allegations” crafted to incite hatred and justify retribution against the senator.

    “These utterances flagrantly violate Section 391(1) of the Penal Code (Criminal Defamation) and Section 24(1) of the Cybercrimes Act (Cyberstalking),” the petition states. It further claimed that Duru’s actions were neither isolated nor accidental, but rather the “product of a coordinated effort involving Senator Akpabio and his political and security network.”

    According to the petition, Duru’s claim that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was plotting to overthrow the Nigerian government was among the most explosive falsehoods. It noted that Duru accused her of scheming to remove Senate President Akpabio to dismantle what she termed “the Yoruba government.”Nigerian fashion

    The petition flatly denied this allegation and referred to it as an “ethnic incitement strategy” designed to provoke national outrage and state repression.

  • Court announces date to deliver judgment on Senator Natasha’s suit against Akpabio

    Court announces date to deliver judgment on Senator Natasha’s suit against Akpabio

    The Federal High Court in Abuja will, on June 27, deliver judgment in a suit filed by Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and co-defendants over her alleged unlawful suspension from the senate.

    Justice Binta Nyako, who adjourned the matter on Tuesday for judgment, held that issues of contempt claimed by Akpabio against Akpoti-Uduaghan and vice versa, would also be decided.

    Justice Nyako would equally deliver judgment on the preliminary objection filed by all the defendants in the suit, including the senate president, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case.

    Justice Nyako made this known after Michael Numa, SAN, who appeared for Akpoti-Uduaghan, and Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, who represented Akpabio, and lawyers to other defendants, identified and adopted their processes in the suit.

    “I want to believe that all processes are in.

    “What I am going to do is to first of all look at the issues of contempt and take a decision on it.

    “Then I will look at the notices of preliminary objection filed by the defendants.

    “If they succeed, that is the end of the case and if they don’t, I will look at the originating summons filed by the plaintiff,” the judge said.

    The former presiding judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu had, on March 25, recused himself from the suit filed by the suspended senator who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District.

    Justice Egwuatu withdrew from the suit following allegations of bias by Akpabio and the case was re-assigned to Justice Nyako.

    The lawmaker’s suit had sought to stop the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions from going ahead with the disciplinary proceedings over alleged misconduct against her.

    Justice Egwuatu had granted Akpoti-Uduaghan’s  five reliefs in the ex-parte motion on March 4, including Order Number Four which declared any action taken by the defendants during the pendency of the suit as null, void and of no effect whatsoever.

    The judge granted the five prayers after Sanusi Musa, SAN, who appeared for Akpoti-Uduaghan , moved the ex-parte motion  marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025.

    Akpoti-Uduaghan had, in the motion ex-parte, sued the clerk of the National Assembly (NASS) and the Senate as 1st and 2nd defendants.

    She also named the President of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Sen. Neda Imasuem, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct as 3rd and 4th defendants respectively.

    The senator had sought an order of interim injunction restraining the Senate’s committee headed by Imasuem from proceeding with the purported investigation against her for alleged misconduct sequel to the events that occurred at the plenary on Feb. 20, pursuant to the referral by the Senate on Feb. 25, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction, among others.

    However on March 5, the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months following the committee’s report on her alleged gross misconduct, while the suit is still pending.

    But Justice Egwuatu, on March 19, set aside order number four which he granted on March 4, declaring the suspension of Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan  by the Senate as null and void.

    The judge vacated the order following a motion on notice filed by the Senate seeking for the order setting aside the order number four which declared any action taken by the defendants during the pendency of the suit as null, void and of no effect whatsoever.

    Justice Nyako had, on April 4, restrained all parties in the suit from granting media interviews or engage in social media post In respect of the subject matter before the court.

    The development followed a complaint by Akpabio’s lawyer, Mr Ogunwumiju, that Akpoti-Uduaghan had allegedly been going from one media station to another, granting press interviews on issues relating to the suit

    However, Akpabio, had filed a motion on May 5, accusing the embattled senator of flouting the court order by posting a “satirical letter of apology” on her Facebook page on April 27.

    The Senate president, in the affidavit of facts, sought an order of court, directing the suspended senator to delete the viral satirical letter from her Facebook page and also tender an apology to the court for violating its order.

    Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a counter affidavit field by her lawyer, accused Akpabio of attempting to curb her right to free speech.

    She maintained that her recent satirical letter to the Senate president was never in breach of the court order.

    The suspended senator pointed out that while the content of her viral letter centred around her sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio, the matter before the court was her alleged unlawful suspension from the Senate.

    She argued that it was Akpabio, who through his legal representatives; Chief Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, and Monday Ubani, SAN, that violated the orders of the court by speaking to the media.

    On Monday, Ekwo-Ejembi Ekwo, SAN, who appeared for Akpabio, prayed the court to take their alleged contempt claim.

    Against Ekwo’s application, Numa informed the court that they equally had a contempt motion which was filed earlier.

    It would be recalled that Akpoti-Uduaghan had filed a contempt charge against the defendants for suspending her in contravention with the order given by the former presiding judge, Justice Egwuatu, restraining  all the defendants from taking any action pending the hearing and determination of the matter.

    Numa said the contempt allegation was against all the defendants, including the Senate president.

    Numa, however, appealed to the court to speedy proceedings in their suit bearing in mind that the six-month suspension would soon be ending.

    But Justice Nyako, who held that issues of contempt would be decided first before the substantive suit, adjourned the case to Tuesday to hear all the applications.

    The judge also requested for a copy of Senate rules and counsel to the NASS clerk, Charles Yoila, made a copy available to her.

    When the matter was called on Monday, Justice Nyako said there was a new development to the case which was the issue of contempt claims by Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio.

    “We have a new happening that came up yesterday. One from Mr Daudu and one from the plaintiff.

    “These two applications and the originating summons should be what should be focused on today,” she said.

    The judge thereafter directed all parties to identify and adopt their processes.

    Numa thanked the judge for prioritising the issues of contempt raised by the plaintiff and the defendants.

    He said their application sought the court’s disciplinary action against all the defendants for their contemptuous act.

    Numa, on behalf of the embattled senator, identified and adopted all their processes, urging the the court to grant their prayers seeking the disciplinary powers of the court against the defendants.

    The lawyer also prayed the court to overrule and dismiss the defendants’ preliminary objection and accede to their reliefs In their originating motion.

    Yoila, who appeared for the clerk, Paul Daudu, SAN, who represented the Senate; Ogunwumiju who was counsel to Akpabio, and Valentine who appeared for Imasuem, also identified and adopted their processes, including the preliminary objection.

    They prayed the court to look at the set of facts showing clearly the alleged disobedience to court order by the plaintiff.

    They urged the court to hold that it lacked jurisdiction  to entertain the suit and to dismiss the suit in its entirety.

    The suspended senator was also in court to watch proceedings.

  • How professor who was jailed for rigging election for Akpabio, currently roams as a ‘free man’

    How professor who was jailed for rigging election for Akpabio, currently roams as a ‘free man’

    Peter Ogban, a professor of soil science at the University of Calabar and a returning officer in the 2019 general elections in Akwa Ibom North-West District, who was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison for electoral fraud has yet to serve his full jail term.

    TheNewsGuru recalls that Ogban, was found guilty by a State High Court in Uyo on March 25, 2021, for  announcing fake election results in two local government areas – Oruk Anam and Etim Ekpo –  in favour of then-Senate candidate and current Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. The court sentenced him to three years in prison the same day. 

    Recently, the Court of Appeal in Calabar upheld the conviction and sentence affirming that Ogban’s actions violated electoral laws. However, a recent investigation reveals that Ogban is currently not in custody.

    Short Stay in Prison, Bail on Health Grounds

    According to reports, following his 2021 conviction, Ogban was initially remanded at the Ikot Ekpene Correctional Facility but was granted bail on July 12, 2021, by Justice Pius Idiong of the State High Court in Ikot Ekpene on health grounds despite opposition from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which prosecuted him.

    Documents retrieved from the court showed that Ogban’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kanu Agabi, argued that he suffered from high blood pressure and tuberculosis, and might suffer injustice if the appellate court later reduced his sentence or overturned the conviction. Justice Idiong agreed, granting the professor a temporary reprieve.

    “The court agrees… that it is a possibility that the appeal may be allowed and the applicant discharged and acquitted,” the ruling stated. “Although the applicant’s so-called health conditions… cannot constitute such an exceptional circumstance, he has nonetheless made out a case to warrant being granted a temporary reprieve.”

    Appeal Court Upholds Conviction, Ogban Missing

    Despite the recent ruling of the Court of Appeal affirming the original sentence, the professor was not present at the April 30 judgment, which was delivered virtually. Legal experts say the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) should have ensured his presence and returned him to custody.

    A lawyer familiar with the case disclosed that “The officials of the Nigerian prisons ought to have made sure Prof Ogban was present… and they should have taken him straight to Ikot Ekpene prisons immediately after the judgement.”

    A staff member of the law firm representing Ogban confirmed he should be in custody but could not confirm his whereabouts. “I don’t know his exact location at the moment,” the lawyer said.

    Correctional Service Silent on Ogban’s Whereabouts

    Also, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Correctional Service in Akwa Ibom,  Richard Metong revealed that he was unsure whether Ogban was in any correctional facility in the state and requested time to verify.

     As of the time of filing this report, Metong had not responded to follow-up calls.

    Despite the Court of Appeal ruling, Ogban’s legal team has filed a notice of appeal to the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the conviction and sentence.

  • You are reckless, attempting to cause divison with your mouth -Akpabio blasts Peter Obi

    You are reckless, attempting to cause divison with your mouth -Akpabio blasts Peter Obi

    The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has slammed the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi over his earlier comments on the life and times of the late elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark.

    TheNewsGuru reports that Obi, while eulogising Clark, had deplored the poor quality of leadership in the country, saying, “The labour of our heroes past had been in vain.”

    Responding, Akpabio, while presiding over a valedictory plenary session in honour of the late Chief Clark on Thursday, knocked Obi, describing his statement as ”reckless, and attempting to cause division with his mouth”.

    The senate president noted that the former Anambra governor lacked the moral ground to make such comments, having failed to resolve the leadership crisis in the Labour Party.

     Akpabio insisted that the labour of Nigeria’s past heroes had not been in vain.

    “Those who are aspiring as presidential candidates want to cause division with their mouths using social media. Tell them to resolve the crisis they have in their small party before they come to talk about the larger Nigeria

    “You cannot even resolve the crisis in that Labour Party. Is it the crisis of Boko Haram that you will come and resolve in Nigeria?” Akpabio said.

    The former Akwa Ibom State Governor boasted about what he termed his numerous achievements during his tenure as governor, insinuating that Obi, who was the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, had little to show for his eight years as governor of Anambra State.

    “I would like us to be known for what we did when we had the opportunity. As I speak now, I can tell you about the dualised thoroughfares in my city. I can fly over us in my city. I can tell you about the best international hospitals in my city. I can tell you about the monuments of the government houses for the governor and deputies.

    “I had one of the best digitalised governors’ offices. I can tell you about the free and compulsory education. I can tell you about the unity I brought in religion by sponsoring over 5,800 Muslims and over 12,000 to 15,000 Christians to Rome and Jerusalem.

    “But then those who are aspiring as presidential candidates want to cause division with their mouths using social media.

    “Tell them to resolve the crisis in their small party before they come to talk about the larger Nigeria, because the social media in Nigeria is not regulated,” Akpabio said.

  • Natasha, U.S.-based Activist clash over Akpabio sexual harassment allegations

    Natasha, U.S.-based Activist clash over Akpabio sexual harassment allegations

    A war of words has erupted between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and U.S.-based activist Dr. Sandra Duru (also known as Professor Mgbeke), following allegations that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment claims against Senate President Godswill Akpabio were politically motivated.

    In a Facebook live broadcast, Duru alleged that the accusations were part of a larger plot to prevent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from securing a second term. She claimed to have submitted audio recordings of her alleged conversations with the suspended Kogi Central senator to U.S. and international authorities for forensic analysis.

    Duru further alleged that Akpoti-Uduaghan offered her N200 million to falsely accuse Akpabio of organ harvesting in connection with the death of a young woman, after her sexual harassment claims failed to gain traction. She called for investigations by global security agencies, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and the Nigeria Police Force.

    According to Duru, Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly stated that her real motive was to remove what she called the “Yoruba government,” claiming she’d been promised a political reward, such as the Kogi State governorship or a ministerial role, if she succeeded in discrediting the Senate President.

    Duru accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of lying, sharing call logs and WhatsApp messages in an attempt to disprove claims that they had never spoken. She labeled the senator as manipulative and divisive, alleging she was on a mission to “destroy men.”

    In response, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan firmly denied all of Duru’s claims, dismissing the Facebook livestream and the audio clips attributed to her as manipulated and false. In a statement, she accused Duru of pushing a narrative scripted by Senate President Akpabio and said she would issue a full response to the allegations in due course.

  • VeryDarkMan given one week ultimatum to apologise for ‘slanderous’ attack against Akpabio

    VeryDarkMan given one week ultimatum to apologise for ‘slanderous’ attack against Akpabio

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), South-South Zonal leadership has issued a one-hour ultimatum to social media activist VDM, demanding an apology for what they described as a disrespectful outburst against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

    This comes after  a viral video of VeryDarkMan criticising Akpabio’s participation in the federal government delegation to the Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis surfaced on social media 

    In the video, which lasted about three minutes, the influencer described Akpabio’s trip to Rome as “shameful,” arguing that the Senate President should have instead visited states like Benue, Plateau, Kwara, Ogun, and Enugu that have recently suffered from violent attacks.

    In response to the video, the South-South Zonal Organizing Secretary, Blessing Agbomhere, the APC cautioned the social media influencer to distinguish between activism and defamation, advising him to refrain from future attacks on the former Akwa Ibom governor.

    The APC chieftain, however, took exception to the remarks, accusing VeryDarkMan of maligning Akpabio under the guise of activism.

    He stated, “VeryDarkMan is becoming notorious for blackmail, slander and character assassination while pretending to be an advocate for the masses and social crusader. The unwarranted verbal attack on the number three citizen of Nigeria who did not send himself to Rome but was duly nominated by the President to lead a delegation to represent Nigeria. What exactly is wrong with that?”

    Agbomhere further defended the Senate President’s selection to represent Nigeria at the Vatican, stressing that Akpabio’s reputation and faith made him a suitable choice.

    He said, “Being a devout Catholic and family man with unblemished character, President Tinubu saw in Akpabio a worthy ambassador of Nigeria to such an event as the Pope’s funeral and wasted no time in thrusting that responsibility on him. What is wrong with that?”

    Emphasising the gravity of the situation, Agbomhere announced, “I am, with this statement, issuing VeryDarkMan a one-week ultimatum to immediately tender an unreserved apology to the Senate president for the slanderous comments and to desist from further bringing the integrity of the President Bola Tinubu led administration into disrepute in the eyes of the global community.”

    The APC stalwart also called on Nigerians to disregard what he described as VeryDarkMan’s “uninformed ranting,” asserting that the government is making significant efforts to address the country’s security challenges, many of which were inherited.

  • Easter: Let’s promote love, unity as we celebrate, Akpabio enjoins Nigerians

    Easter: Let’s promote love, unity as we celebrate, Akpabio enjoins Nigerians

    President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has enjoined Christians and indeed all Nigerians to use the occasion of the celebration of Easter to eschew political, religious and ethnic biases and unite for the progress and general well-being of the nation.

    He also appealed to those perpetrating mass killings across the country to respect the sacredness of human life by showing love instead of hatred and abandoning their evil ways for peace to reign in Nigeria.

    Akpabio gave the admonition in his Easter message through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh in Abuja.

    “While I congratulate the Christian faithful for successfully completing the 40-day Lenten fast and now celebrating another Easter, I wish to appeal that we all show love to one another irrespective of ethnic, religious or political affiliation. I also urge our Christian brothers and sisters to emulate Jesus Christ’s spirit of humility, love, and sacrifice. We are all created in the image of God Almighty and nothing should make us discriminate against another human being.

    “For those who have taken to killing fellow human beings, maiming others and destroying property, I appeal that they respect the sacredness of human life. Easter is a period of love and I hope the atmosphere that permeates this season would cause them to jettison their evil ways, turn a new leaf and embrace peace.

    “I encourage all Nigerians to use the occasion of this celebration of Easter to reach out to those who are in need, especially victims of the senseless Killings across the nation. May we never be tired of sharing and making sacrifices for one another”.

    The Senate President also urged Christians not to relent in their prayers after Easter but to continue seeking God’s intervention in the affairs of the nation. “Continue to offer prayers for leaders at every level in the country and God helping us, our nation will be better off”.

    “On behalf of my family, constituents, the Senate and entire National Assembly, I wish you all a peaceful, loving and blissful Easter celebration”.

  • Akpabio moves to build capacity for Senate Clerk, other officials for efficient performance

    Akpabio moves to build capacity for Senate Clerk, other officials for efficient performance

    In a bid to build capacity for the Senate Clerk and other officials of clerks-at-the-table, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has encouraged refresher courses for such officials to bolster their performance levels for efficiency and effectiveness.

    The first to benefit from the initiative was the Clerk of the Senate, Mr Andrew Nwoba, who just rounded off his one-month refresher course on Thursday, April 10, 2025 and is due to resume at his desk in plenary when they reconvene, 29th April, 2025.

    This positive development is contrary to media reports on Thursday, April 10, 2025, insinuating that the Senate President passed a vote of no confidence in Mr Nwoba’s capacity to properly guide the upper legislative chamber during the sittings.

    An official of the National Assembly said that the President of the Senate, in his leadership consideration, magnanimity and support for top officials of the Senate and other staff members, approved a refresher course for the Clerk Senate, Andrew Nwoba.

    The approval was to free him from his responsibilities in the chamber for a month. The Deputy Clerk (legislative) acted in his absence.

    Reports said that having served creditably as Clerk of National Population and Gas committees, Secretary, Legislative Budget and currently, Clerk Senate, Mr Nwoba has garnered requisite experience to proactively guide and advise on adherence and compliance with the Standing Rules of the Senate.

    Besides, staff members agree that Nwoba has efficiently and responsibly discharged his role as the Chief Accounting Officer of the Senate.

    As Senate Clerk, Nwoba ensures smooth proceedings in line with procedural orders that are circumscribed in the Standing Rules of the Senate.

    In addition to ensuring legislative due process through the eyes of the rules, he also discharges other administrative duties.

    The Clerk Senate performs these overarching assignments with the assistance of two Deputy Senate Clerks, one in charge of legislative duties and the other in charge of administration.

    An official explained that the refresher course could hold any time and would not disrupt the workings of the clerks-at-the-table since there are enough hands, particularly, Deputy Clerk (Legislative), to deploy in plenary to guide, direct and advise the presiding officer in his absence.

    As learnt, Nwoba, has been doing this by allowing the Deputy Clerk (Legislative) to help guide, direct and advise the presiding officer, and the synergy has been adjudged to be “progressive and productive.”

    Another official said in a chat that “It is most unfortunate, that some naysayers want to create bad blood between the President of the Senate and the Clerk of the Senate by making tenuous utterances and unfounded insinuations.

    “The Clerk of Senate has been enjoying the support of the Senate President. He particularly received his unequivocal support during his elevation to the position by the National Assembly service Commission. The Clerk, in turn, has tremendous respect and regards for the President of the Senate, his leadership style, his listening ears, his simple nature, which are qualities that are rare in today’s political space.

    “Out of his concern for the Senate Clerk, considering his zeal, determination, dedication and passion for the job, the Senate President respectfully asked him to go for a month refresher course to enhance top-notch performance and greater efficiency. This, for me, is the real vote of confidence in the Clerk Senate.”

  • Kogi Central Constituents sue Akpabio, Senate over suspension of Senator Natasha

    Kogi Central Constituents sue Akpabio, Senate over suspension of Senator Natasha

    A group of constituents from Kogi Central Senatorial District have dragged the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Nigerian Senate before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the suspension of their senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

    The legal action, filed under suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/654/2025, is challenging the six-month suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan, which the Senate imposed following a rejected sexual harassment petition she filed against Akpabio. The suit, led by prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), argues that the suspension violates the constituents’ constitutional right to representation.

    Neda Imaseun, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Conduct, Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, had announced the suspension in March, citing what he called a “total violation of Senate rules” by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

    However, the plaintiffs argue that the Senate’s decision lacks lawful justification and contravenes democratic principles. They are invoking Article 13(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantees citizens the right to freely participate in government through elected representatives.

    “The suspension has effectively silenced the voice of Kogi Central in national debates and legislative processes,” the suit states, accusing the Senate of overreaching its powers.

    The applicants — Ovavu Iliyasu, Isah Otini, Onivehu Amoto, Isah Mediant, Ogunmola Samuel, Umar Oyiza, Megida Sadiq, Siyaka Akinlade, Michael Ademola, and Ananyi Omeiza — are seeking a court declaration that the Senate acted beyond its constitutional powers.

    They are asking the court to nullify the suspension and restore all of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s rights and privileges, including access to her office, full participation in Senate proceedings, and payment of her entitlements. Additionally, they are seeking an injunction to prevent the Senate from taking any further actions that could infringe on their fundamental rights.

    As of press time, no date has been fixed for the hearing.