Politics
Natasha, Akpabio trade words as Senate fights for reputation
The disagreement between the two lawmakers became a public spectacle two weeks ago when, during plenary, Akpoti-Uduaghan rejected the relocation of her seat.
She also told the Senate President that she was not scared of him.
Although Akpabio tried to downplay the severity of the matter, the Kogi lawmaker featured in a live television programme the next morning where she accused him of sexual harassment.
Last week, the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months following a recommendation by its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
She was suspended for six months as many rights groups and activists condemned the decision and called for fair hearing.
Natasha fond of traumatic, “useless” allegations – Akpabio
Akpabio, at an event to commemorate the International Women’s Day, claimed to be Akpoti-Uduaghan’s victim.
He noted that previous allegations of sexual harassment levelled against others by the senator had turned out to be false.
He said, “It was only yesterday I realised that what we are talking about only happened when there was a change of seat. That was when all hell was let loose and all sorts of allegations came up. Only after the change of seat and change of committee, which my senators know happen from time to time.
“This was said to have happened on the 8th of December, a day before my birthday, which was celebrated in the stadium in 2023. So, from the 8th of December 2023, I never heard, my wife never heard, no Nigerian ever heard, even the husband never heard any issue of sexual harassment until her committee was changed, and her seat was changed.
“Have you ever wondered about the trauma caused by that same woman on the other people she has accused in the past? None has been proved so far. Do you even wonder the trauma this caused to the 10th Senate and the image of the Senate with all these useless allegations? I have refrained from making a statement.
“Look at these beautiful women. They have come across me so many times. Have I ever harassed any one of you? Or is the person thinking that you are not beautiful?”
Akpoti-Uduaghan fires back
Akpoti-Uduaghan dismissed the claims by the Senate President, insisting that a formal investigation was necessary to establish the truth.
The senator, while speaking through her lawyer, Victor Giwa, also pointed out that a similar allegation of sexual harassment was made against Akpabio by a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Joy Nunieh.
“If Akpabio makes such a statement, the question anybody will ask is why are there two allegations of sexual harassment against him? Joy Nunieh made the same allegation, and now it is Natasha. Akpabio should subject himself to investigation,” he stated.
Giwa said Akpabio was attempting to manipulate Senate proceedings to avoid scrutiny.
He further alleged that Akpabio was using his position to victimise the lawmaker following her refusal to yield to his advances.
“Is it true that Natasha has been prevented from participating in international engagements involving senators? Is it true that she has been forced to use her funds for official trips while others have their expenses covered? These are hard facts that need to be addressed,” he said.
Giwa also maintained that his client would not back down from her legal battle against the Senate President despite efforts from various stakeholders, including the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Imaan Suleiman.
“She welcomes the involvement of the Women Affairs Minister and others who are trying to mediate. A meeting between them is scheduled for next week,” he said.
Why we suspended Kogi lawmaker – Senate
The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, on Saturday, clarified that Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for gross misconduct and not for the sexual harassment allegation she levelled against Akpabio.
Bamidele, in a statement, said there were deliberate false narratives being circulated by some media organisations on the matter.
He said, “If Senator Uduaghan had strictly followed our guiding principles, the Senate would have treated her petition based on merit in line with its practice. But she never obeyed the established practices of the institution where she was serving.”
“The report found her guilty of violating sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate Rules and recommended her immediate suspension.
“The disciplinary action was a response to her repeated violations of legislative decorum, including: One, for refusing to sit in her assigned seat during plenary on 25th February 2025, despite multiple pleas from the Minority Leader and other ranking Senators—an act of open defiance and disorderly conduct.
“Two, for speaking without being recognised by the presiding officer in clear violation of parliamentary practices and procedures on 25th February 2025.
“Three, for engaging in unruly and disruptive behaviour, obstructing the orderly conduct of Senate proceedings.
“For making abusive and disrespectful remarks against the leadership of the Senate.
“Five, defying and refusing to comply with the summons of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges mandated to investigate cases of misconduct.”
Bamidele urged the public and the media to disregard false reports suggesting otherwise and to always seek the truth before spreading politically motivated narratives.
Falana threatens senators
In a related development, the Director of Women Empowerment and Legal Aid, Mrs Funmi Falana SAN, described the suspension of the senator as a “disgraceful display of power”.
Falana, in a statement on Saturday, threatened to drag members of the Senate who are lawyers before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee if the suspension was not reversed.
The wife of human rights activist, Femi Falana, SAN, argued that the Senate exhibited gross impunity by suspending Akpoti-Uduaghan without fair hearing.
Mrs Falana said, “By suspending Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan without affording her the opportunity to substantiate the allegation of sexual abuse levelled against the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Senate violated her fundamental right to fair hearing guaranteed by section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.
“Having sworn to comply with the provisions of the Constitution without fear or favour, the gross impunity exhibited by the senators cannot be justified. The suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Senate is a disgraceful display of power.
“On two occasions the Senate had suspended two of its members – Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and Senator Ali Ndume. On both occasions, the Federal High Court declared the suspensions illegal and unconstitutional.
“In the case of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Federal High Court had restrained the Senate Committee from hearing the complaint against her pending the determination of the motion on notice.
“Since the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan cannot be justified under the Constitution and the Rules of the Senate, the Senate is advised to lift the suspension without any delay. Otherwise, the members of the Senate who are lawyers will be dragged to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee by the Women Empowerment and Legal Aid.”
In the now-controversial post shared on his social media page, Osborne wrote: “In a sane clime president Bola Ahmed Tinubu would’ve respectfully and honourably resigned. I’m of APC but truth be told.”
The comment quickly generated reactions online before the Akwa Ibom State Government moved to terminate his appointment.
In a letter dated June 2, 2026, the Office of the Political Adviser to the Governor announced his immediate disengagement.
The termination letter, signed by the Political Adviser to the Governor, Prince Godwin Ntuk Udeh, stated that Osborne Ubong Okon had been relieved of his duties with immediate effect.Politics
According to the letter, the decision was taken over actions the office described as disloyal.
“You are hereby relieved of your engagement as a Media Aide to the Political Adviser to His Excellency the Governor, with immediate effect and from today, 2nd June 2026,” the memo read.
The letter further cited “actions bordering on disloyalty” and the need to keep the office “purified” as reasons for the dismissal.
The office also issued a warning to members of the public and government officials regarding future dealings with the former aide.
“Any person having dealings with the above-mentioned former Media Aide in relation to this office of his former engagement does so on his/her own peril,” the statement added.
The development has sparked fresh conversations about the limits of political expression for government appointees and the expectations of loyalty within public service, particularly when comments are directed at the presidency.
Neither Osborne nor the Presidency had publicly responded to the development as of the time of filing this report.
The decision was taken during plenary on Tuesday at the Assembly complex in Dutse, the state capital, as the party continues to deal with the fallout from recent primaries.
The action comes amid a wave of suspensions across Jigawa APC following the recently conducted primary election.
Several special advisers and special assistants have already been suspended statewide over alleged anti-party activities from state level down to local government level.
Maigari, who doubles as the councillor representing Auyo Ward, was suspended after the House considered a motion by the Majority Leader, Lawan Dansure.
The motion sought disciplinary action against the lawmaker for conduct deemed harmful to party cohesion.
Moving the motion during the Assembly’s plenary session on Tuesday, Dansure urged members to support the suspension.
He said the House must act to protect the integrity of the ruling party ahead of 2027.
According to him, the actions of the Speaker of Auyo Legislative Council are detrimental to the unity, stability, and progress of the All Progressives Congress in the state.
“His actions are detrimental to the unity, stability, and progress of the All Progressives Congress,” Dansure told the House.
He argued that anti-party conduct at the grassroots level could undermine APC’s performance in future elections.
He said the House could not fold its arms while party discipline was being tested.
“Hon. Haruna Maigari is hereby suspended as Speaker of Auyo Legislative Council over alleged anti-party activities,” Dangyatin announced during plenary.
The Speaker also said the House remains committed to party discipline at all levels of governance in the state.
Dangyatin then constituted an investigative committee to look into the matter and report back within two weeks.
“The committee is expected to establish facts and recommend further action based on its findings,” he said.
The Speaker also directed the suspended lawmaker to hand over all official documents in his possession to the Deputy Speaker of Auyo Legislative Council.
He said the handover must be done immediately to ensure continuity of council business.
Meanwhile, the House also received a formal notification from Governor Umar Namadi regarding an official trip.
“The governor is billed to attend a two-day West African Rice Investment Roundtable in Accra, Ghana,” the Speaker said during the plenary session of the Assembly.
Dangyatin, who explained that the governor’s foreign engagement will hold between June 2 and June 3, 2026, added that “the governor’s participation is aimed at attracting investment to Jigawa’s rice value chain.”
By Chinedu Sabastine
Mr. Samson Chukwu Nnamani has declared that he remains the authentic governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State ahead of the 2027 election.
Nnamani made this known on Friday during a press briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Enugu.
Reacting to allegations that he was suspended from the party before the PDP governorship primary election, Nnamani dismissed the claim, questioning how a supposedly suspended aspirant could participate in the exercise and secure votes.
“The purported claim that I was suspended is very funny. If I was suspended as they claim, how can they attribute votes for me during their kangaroo primary,” Nnamani questioned.
Represented by his Media Director, Dr. Buchi Nnaji, the PDP chieftain said his authenticity derives from the present recognition of the Abdulrahman-led faction of the PDP by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), of which he is a member.
The clarification followed the emergence of multiple claimants to the PDP governorship ticket in Enugu State.
Nnamani insisted that the party was no longer factionalised following INEC’s recognition of the Abdulrahman-led PDP leadership, noting that the panel which declared him winner where sent from their headquaters, Abuja.
Nnamani expressed gratitude to PDP leaders and supporters whom he said turned out massively on Sunday, May 24, 2026, to elect him as the party’s governorship candidate.
He pledged to reposition Enugu State through infrastructure development, job creation and people-oriented policies.
“As the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Enugu State, I remain committed to the ideals of good governance, inclusive leadership, economic development, youth empowerment, quality education, improved healthcare and enhanced security for all residents,” he said.
He added that his aspiration was to build “a greater Enugu State where opportunities abound for every citizen, irrespective of political affiliation, religion or social status.”
According to him, his administration would prioritise infrastructure development, industrialisation, support for small businesses and welfare programmes aimed at improving the lives of the people.
“We shall also review and remove policies and practices that are truncating the wellbeing, economic survival and social advancement of the citizens,” he stated.
Nnamani further called on stakeholders, party faithful, youths, women, traditional rulers and the people of Enugu State to join hands in building “a united, peaceful and progressive state.”
“Together, we can achieve the Enugu of our dreams,” he added.
The Presidency has reacted following the circulation of an alleged WhatsApp voice note in which President Bola Tinubu reportedly claims he begged opposition figure Peter Obi to step down ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The reaction came on Wednesday from Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President.
Onanuga condemned the audio file, labeling it a fabrication and called for legal action against popular social media critic VeryDarkMan who shared it.
“This VDM needs to face the weight of the law for being the conveyor and disseminator of a fake audio of President Tinubu. This is a clear case of an egregious abuse of the social media platform.,” Onanuga tweeted.
In the viral video, VeryDarkMan used the alleged leaked audio to urge Nigerians to vote against President Tinubu’s reelection bid in the upcoming 2027 polls.
Recall that just days ago, on Saturday, May 23, 2026, President Tinubu secured the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a landslide nationwide direct primary election.
During that contest, Tinubu faced a lone challenger, Edo State businessman and APC chieftain Stanley Osifo. The President won with 10,999,162 votes from the 12,643,306 registered party members, while Osifo secured 16,503 votes.
Meanwhile, Peter Obi, who finished third in the 2023 election, is widely expected to fly the flag for the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC). Both Obi and Tinubu hail from the southern region of Nigeria and are set to face last year’s runner-up, Atiku Abubakar, who is expected to lead the ticket for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in Ebonyi State, Ifeanyichukwuma Odii, has accused Governor Francis Nwifuru of running the state like a personal family business.
Odii made the remark shortly after emerging as the PDP governorship candidate for the 2027 election following the party’s primary election conducted across the 13 local government areas of the state.
Speaking to party supporters in Abakaliki, Odii said the 2027 election would be about rescuing Ebonyi from poor governance and restoring economic growth and public welfare.
“Ebonyi can never be consumed. Ebonyi can never be conquered. Ebonyi can never become a personal family business, and we are here for the rescue of our dear state,” he stated.
The PDP flag bearer pledged to improve the welfare of civil servants and teachers while promising policies aimed at reviving the state’s economy.
Odii also dismissed fears over political opposition ahead of the election, insisting that his focus remained the development and progress of Ebonyi State.
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