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Akpabio, Akpoti-Uduaghan in War of Words Over Senate Crisis, Sexual Harassment Allegation

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Akpabio, Akpoti-Uduaghan in War of Words Over Senate Crisis, Sexual Harassment Allegation

Akpabio, Akpoti-Uduaghan in War of Words Over Senate Crisis, Sexual Harassment Allegation

Abuja – The Senate has been thrown into turmoil as the rift between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central escalates, following her suspension and allegations of sexual harassment against the Senate President.

The controversy began two weeks ago during a heated plenary session, when Akpoti-Uduaghan objected to the relocation of her seat and declared she was not afraid of Akpabio. The tension deepened when the senator appeared on a live television program the following day, accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment. This led to her six-month suspension by the Senate, a decision widely condemned by rights groups and activists who demanded a fair hearing.

Akpabio: Natasha Fond of Traumatic, ‘Useless’ Allegations

At an event marking International Women’s Day, Akpabio dismissed the accusations, claiming that the Kogi lawmaker had a history of making baseless allegations. He suggested that her claims were linked to changes in her committee assignment and seat location.

“It was only yesterday I realised that all hell broke loose after a change of seat and committee,” Akpabio said. “This was said to have happened on December 8, 2023, a day before my birthday. From that time until now, neither I nor my wife, nor any Nigerian, nor even her husband heard anything about this issue until her committee was changed.”

He further alleged that Akpoti-Uduaghan had falsely accused others in the past, bringing unnecessary trauma to those involved. “Do you even wonder about the trauma caused to the 10th Senate and the image of the Senate with all these useless allegations?” he added.

Akpoti-Uduaghan Fights Back

Akpoti-Uduaghan rejected Akpabio’s claims and insisted on a formal investigation. Through her lawyer, Victor Giwa, she pointed out that a similar allegation of sexual harassment had previously been made against Akpabio by former Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Managing Director, Joy Nunieh.

“If Akpabio is innocent, why are there two allegations of sexual harassment against him?” Giwa questioned. “Akpabio should subject himself to an investigation instead of dismissing these claims.”

Giwa also alleged that the Senate President was manipulating legislative processes to avoid scrutiny and victimising Akpoti-Uduaghan for rejecting 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.

Despite pressure, Giwa maintained that his client would not back down from her legal battle against Akpabio. He confirmed that stakeholders, including Minister of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Imaan Suleiman, were working to mediate the conflict, with a meeting scheduled for next week.

Senate Justifies Suspension

Amid the controversy, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele clarified that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was unrelated to her allegations against Akpabio but rather due to “gross misconduct.”

Bamidele stated, “If Senator Uduaghan had strictly followed our guiding principles, the Senate would have treated her petition based on merit. But she never obeyed the established practices of the institution.”

He outlined the reasons for her suspension, which include:

  1. Refusing to sit in her assigned seat despite multiple pleas from the Minority Leader and senior senators.
  2. Speaking without being recognised by the presiding officer, violating parliamentary procedures.
  3. Engaging in disruptive behavior that obstructed Senate proceedings.
  4. Making disrespectful remarks against the Senate leadership.
  5. Defying and refusing to comply with the summons of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges.

Bamidele urged the public to disregard false reports and avoid spreading politically motivated narratives about the suspension.

What’s Next?

With tensions still high, all eyes remain on the Senate and the potential outcome of a formal investigation into Akpabio’s conduct. Meanwhile, Akpoti-Uduaghan continues to push for justice, while Akpabio seeks to defend his reputation. The upcoming mediation meeting with the Women Affairs Minister may play a crucial role in determining the next steps in this political drama.

 

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Lagos Assembly Charges Security Agencies To Redouble Efforts In Combating Extortion By Miscreants

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Lagos Assembly Charges Security Agencies To Redouble Efforts In Combating Extortion By Miscreants

Lagos Assembly Charges Security Agencies To Redouble Efforts In Combating Extortion By Miscreants

 

Acknowledging that the scourge of brazen extortion by miscreants on Lagos streets was on the increase, the Lagos State House of Assembly has called on the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohunda Moshood Jimoh, and heads of other security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering with the latest security apparatuses, increase surveillance on black spots across the metropolis, and, where necessary, arrest such miscreants, and have the state rehabilitate them.

Lagos Assembly Charges Security Agencies To Redouble Efforts In Combating Extortion By Miscreants

Hon. Sanni Okanlawon (representing Kosofe Constituency 1) raised the alarm at plenary Tuesday, May 6, under ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ stating; “The unlawful extortion of stranded and innocent motorists by miscreants remains a growing concern that demands urgent attention. Nobody on the streets of Lagos is immune to their activities. If left unchecked, they could render the state unsafe.” He painted different unsavoury scenarios of how the street urchins operate brazenly, which he described as unacceptable, and called for urgent intervention to protect road users.

Supporting the motion, Hon. Kehinde Joseph (Alimosho Constituency II) noted that this particular trend threatens the safety and sanity of road transportation in the state. Hon. Desmond Elliot (Surulere Constituency 1) corroborated this and emphasised the need for active surveillance by security agencies. He also suggested the involvement of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), noting that many of the offenders act under the influence of illegal substances.

Similarly, Hon. Aro Moshood (Ikorodu Constituency II) urged the Commissioner of Police to set up a tactical team dedicated mainly to road monitoring because “It is high time the government took the bull by the horns.” Commending Hon. Okanlawon for moving the motion, Hon. Adebola Shabi (Lagos Mainland Constituency 2) said local government chairmen have a huge role in combating this menace. Effective strategies, she added, have to be devised while recommending the installation of CCTV cameras at identified black spots.

However, Hon. Obafemi Saheed (Kosofe Constituency 2) disclosed that the government has invested heavily in security through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, LSSTF, and, therefore, should not sit back and watch miscreants take over the city.

Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Obasa commended Hon. Okanlawon and the lawmakers who contributed robustly to the debate. He said that the police and other security agencies, including the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), must collaborate to ensure that Lagos remains safe for residents, commuters, and visitors alike.

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Lagos Assembly Summons Lands Bureau over Allocations, Recurring Land-Related Issues

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Lagos Assembly Summons Lands Bureau over Allocations, Recurring Land-Related Issues

Lagos Assembly Summons Lands Bureau over Allocations, Recurring Land-Related Issues

The Lagos State House of Assembly has summoned the state Lands Bureau to appear before it to provide clarity on previous allocations and recurring land-related issues. It also approved land compensation for communities where the state government acquired lands for public use.

At plenary last Thursday, the House adopted the recommendations of the Committee on Rules and Business on a petition titled “Application by Oriba Community in Epe Local Government to join in the petition of Ladaba Community” presented by Hon. Noheem Adams.

Lagos Assembly Summons Lands Bureau over Allocations, Recurring Land-Related Issues

Following the presentation of the report, the House unanimously adopted the recommendations as its resolution by asking the bureau to appear before it with proper documents to explain the status of lands acquired by the state. The committee also recommended that the bureau issue excision/allocation letters to the 68 affected communities, while their Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) should be ready within one month of the House’s resolution.

Members who lent their voices to the matter commended the committee for ensuring they got justice for the affected communities and suggested that their compensation should be increased from 20% to 25%.

In his summation, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon.. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa acknowledged the need for increased compensation but noted that the state government has its plans. Particularly, he endorsed the allocation of 20% (2,000 hectares) of the 10,000 hectares acquired by the state government as compensation.

Speaker Obasa further recommended that the committee should collaborate with the Lands Bureau, Office of the State Surveyor General, and New Towns Development Authority for the effective implementation of the recommendations.

The Lagos State Lands Bureau is responsible for land administration and management. It oversees key activities such as land allocation, issuance of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O), land registration, and the management of state-owned lands.

Its primary goals include ensuring equitable and transparent land transactions, facilitating urban planning, and supporting economic development by maintaining an organized system of land ownership. The bureau also handles disputes related to land and implements policies to optimize land use while protecting public interests.

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Oluremi Tinubu and Aisha Achimugu: A Bond Forged in Compassion, by Olabode Opeseitan

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Oluremi Tinubu and Aisha Achimugu: A Bond Forged in Compassion, by Olabode Opeseitan

 

 

Two women with two distinct destinies. One, Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady, is a political luminary and steadfast advocate for the marginalized. The other is Aisha Achimugu, a trailblazing entrepreneur who conquered the male-dominated oil and gas sector, yet wears her heart on her sleeve for humanity.

 

 

Oluremi Tinubu and Aisha Achimugu: A Bond Forged in Compassion, by Olabode Opeseitan 

 

Though their paths differ, their souls converge in two profound ways: an unyielding passion for women’s empowerment and a lifelong covenant with charity.

 

 

For Oluremi, empowering women and uplifting the vulnerable is not merely a mission—it’s her oxygen. From founding the New Era Foundation as Lagos’ First Lady to launching her Renewed Hope Initiative as Nigeria’s First Lady—a platform championing youth and girl-child education and spearheading transformative projects like the Community ICT Hub—she has turned biblical compassion into action. Her unalloyed commitment to charitable virtues shone brightly during the commissioning of the hub in Ibadan, a Federal Government collaboration under her RHI that bridges the digital divide for thousands, revealing a heart that beats for the forgotten.

 

 

 

In Aisha Achimugu, Oluremi unknowingly finds a kindred spirit. Aisha’s SAM Empowerment Foundation has illuminated the futures of countless Nigerian girls through scholarships, mentorship, and vocational training, transforming aspirations into tangible opportunities. Her compassion radiates beyond borders, driven by a pan-African vision to uplift communities wherever the need arises. Whether empowering women in Nigeria’s underserved regions or advocating for sustainable livelihoods across the continent, Aisha’s mantra—“When God has blessed you, be a blessing to others”— resounds in every act of service. From rebuilding lives shattered by poverty to fostering dignity through education, her golden heart has become a beacon of hope for Africa’s most vulnerable.

 

 

 

Yet, their journeys have not been without storms. Both women have endured savage media trials—unfairly judged, their reputations scrutinized. Society often forgets: behind the headlines are mothers, leaders, and humanitarians whose “crimes” are loving too fiercely and giving too generously. They are imperfect, as all humans are, but in their relentless generosity, they mirror the very best of what humanity can be.

 

 

 

To Oluremi and Aisha: Your resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to your unbreakable spirits. When cynics question your motives, remember the girls now coding in Ibadan’s ICT Hub, the mothers reclaiming their futures through vocational training, and the orphans who see you as their lifeline. Do not relent. For every life you touch—whether through education, healthcare, or the quiet restoration of dignity—a ripple of hope spreads. Your legacies are not etched in headlines but in healed hearts and transformed destinies.

 

 

We see you. We celebrate you. And we beg you: keep shining.

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