A civic group, Say No to Violence in Ebiraland (SNTVE), has raised the alarm over what it calls a persistent campaign of intimidation against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central. In a statement signed by its spokesman, Hon. Abdulrazak Mamman, SNTVE accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of deliberately undermining Senator Natasha’s efforts in the National Assembly. The group urged Akpabio to respect her mandate and the people she represents, warning that continued harassment would not be tolerated. The controversy escalated following a recent Senate seat reallocation, which SNTVE describes as the latest in a series of actions designed to…
Author: National Update
The political landscape in Kogi State has taken a dramatic turn as a Lokoja Magistrate Court ordered the remand of prominent political activist and PDP chieftain, Comrade Usman Okai Austin, at the Kabba Correctional Centre over allegations of cyberstalking and criminal defamation. Okai, known for his outspoken criticism of the Kogi State government, was arraigned on Friday following a petition alleging that he defamed Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo by accusing him of misappropriating billions of naira meant for local government councils and state agencies. During the hearing, the prosecution, represented by the Department of State Services (DSS), requested Okai’s remand…
The Ebira People’s Association (EPA) has voiced strong confidence in Senator Natasha Hadiza Akpoti-Uduaghan while calling on the Nigerian Senate to curb the rise of political intimidation and suppression. In a statement issued on Friday by Dr. Oyibo Godwin, the President General of EPA, the association expressed deep concern over recent events in the Senate, particularly the ongoing tensions between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha, who represents Kogi Central. The group highlighted a series of incidents that have raised alarms, from the controversial “nightclub” remark to Senator Natasha’s sudden removal as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Local…
By Ojochegbe James Unoma Godswill Akpabio, wife of the Senate President, has taken up the legal battle against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, filing multiple lawsuits over allegations that she says defame her family and violate her fundamental rights. The lawsuits, filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, stem from statements Akpoti-Uduaghan made during a Senate session on February 20, 2025, and in a subsequent Arise News interview. In the fundamental rights suit (Suit No: CV/814/25), Mrs. Akpabio contends that the statements caused her and her children emotional and psychological distress. She is demanding: A court declaration affirming…
Wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, has stepped into the battle against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over allegations of sexual harassment leveled against her husband, Senator Godswill Akpabio. Addressing journalists, Mrs. Akpabio dismissed the claims as baseless fabrications, emphasizing that she was present at their residence on the alleged date, December 8, 2023, and asserting that no such incident occurred. She defended her husband’s character, describing him as a disciplined leader and longtime advocate for women’s inclusion in governance, even before assuming the role of Senate President. Condemning what she termed false accusations meant to tarnish reputations, Mrs.…
The Nigeria Police Force, Kogi State Command, has arraigned two men, Musa Dangana and Yakubu Dangana, before a Lokoja Chief Magistrates’ Court over their alleged involvement in a fatal boat accident that claimed 19 lives. According to the prosecutor, Gabriel Otowu, the incident was reported to the police on December 23, 2024, by Titus Adoga, the Area Manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA). He stated that the defendants, who co-owned a commercial wooden boat, transported 60 passengers from the Kupa area of Lokoja Local Government to Kacha Market in Niger State on November 29, 2024. Despite repeated warnings…
By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse No fewer than 281 civil servants have exited service from Jigawa State and local government councils over the past six months, either due to retirement or other circumstances. Reports indicated that 208 of the retirees were from the Jigawa State Government, while 73 were workers from local government councils who left service after reaching the mandatory 35 years in service or 60 years of age. In response, the Jigawa State and Local Governments Contributory Pension Scheme Board has commenced the disbursement of N733,517,011.13 million as terminal and death benefits to these retirees and the families of…
***Carpets Former Sokoto Governor On Remarks About President Tinubu’s Administration. RE: OPEN LETTER TO HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR BOLA AHMED TINUBU, PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA Dear Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, I extend my warmest and most sincere greetings to you, accompanied by heartfelt wishes for your continued good health, mental clarity, and overall well-being. Like you, I am deeply invested in the progress of our nation and in the success of the democracy we have worked so hard to build. It is in this spirit of constructive dialogue and patriotic commitment that I write to you today, not out of…
***Says Natasha will get their support if she can substantiate her claims Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the FCT and chairs the Senate Committee on Women Affairs, has addressed the controversy in the face off between the senate president, Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan explaining the internal Senate dynamics and broader gender issues in Nigerian politics. Kingibe who spoke on Arise Television on Friday, clarified that she spoke on behalf of herself and the other two female senators. She acknowledged a close bond among the four women but emphasized her mentorship role in guiding Senator Natasha through the Senate’s…
The Senator Representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has dropped a bombshell, alleging that Senate President Godswill Akpabio made unwelcome advances toward her and later hindered her legislative work after she rejected him. Akpabio has since denied the allegations through his media consultant, Kenny Okulogbo. Recall that a heated confrontation unfolded during Senate plenary session recently when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan protested the reassignment of her seat by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, leading to tense moments in the chamber. The session took an unexpected turn when she arrived to find her seat reassigned, with her nameplate removed. Outraged, she immediately raised her voice…