A northern advocate, Comrade Musa Ibrahim, has praised the philanthropic efforts of Seyi Tinubu across Nigeria, condemning the criticisms surrounding his acts of kindness.
In a statement, Ibrahim lauded Seyi Tinubu for his commitment to supporting the needy, despite being the son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“On behalf of my team, I commend Mr. Seyi Tinubu for his relentless efforts to alleviate the suffering of the masses. Unlike many children of political leaders who remain within the corridors of power, Seyi has chosen to make an impact through business and philanthropy,” he said.
Ibrahim emphasized that Seyi Tinubu personally funds his charitable initiatives without government resources.
He highlighted the role of the Nuel Foundation in extending aid beyond Lagos, demonstrating Seyi’s dedication to giving back to society.
He also noted Seyi Tinubu’s recent efforts to support Muslims observing Ramadan, particularly in northern Nigeria.
“Rather than criticizing him, skeptics should verify the source of funding for his initiatives, which have been privately sustained for the past six years,” Ibrahim added.
The National Industrial Court, Abuja Division, has ordered that court processes in the lawsuit filed by the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, be served on Governor Hyacinth Alia through substituted means.
Presiding Judge, Justice O.A. Obaseki-Osaghae, issued the order on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, while ruling on an ex parte application filed by Justice Ikpambese’s counsel, Chief Prof. Sebastine Hon, SAN.
The judge directed that the court documents be delivered to the governor via the State Attorney General’s office at the High Court Premises in Makurdi until he appoints legal representation.
The case, marked NICN/ABJ/68/2025, challenges the legality of Justice Ikpambese’s removal as Chief Judge of Benue State.
He argues that the Benue State House of Assembly’s decision, allegedly influenced by the governor, violates constitutional provisions requiring National Judicial Council (NJC) involvement.
The suit names the NJC, Attorney General of the Federation, Benue State House of Assembly, Speaker of the House, Benue Attorney General, and Governor Alia as defendants.
The Mai Martaba Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Chiefs, HRH Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, has described Global IT leader and Founder/Chairman of SAS Foundation, Engr. Saleeman Adedoyin Saleeman,` as a shining example of Ilorin’s promising future.
The revered monarch praised Adedoyin’s unwavering dedication to humanitarian service, emphasizing that young leaders like him embody the spirit of generosity and progress needed to uplift society.
He expressed confidence that Adedoyin’s philanthropic efforts would continue to inspire and transform lives across the emirate.
During a reception for the SAS Foundation delegation, led by its Head of Operations, the Emir lauded their ongoing Ramadan Relief Outreach, which has benefited over 1,000 families across the Ilorin Emirate.
Expressing his gratitude, the Emir underscored the importance of sustained charitable efforts, describing them as crucial for community development.
“I pray to Allah for enduring peace and prosperity among my people, and seeing young people like those in the SAS Foundation embody this spirit of giving back is truly fulfilling,” remarked Alhaji Sulu-Gambari.
“We have heard of your numerous philanthropic gestures. I urge you to remain consistent in your efforts. Our prayers are with you.”
The Emir also acknowledged Adedoyin’s deep concern and love for the needy, offering prayers for his continued success and divine guidance in his humanitarian endeavors.
Hassan Kabir, Head of Programmes and Operations at SAS Foundation, highlighted the success of their ongoing Ramadan relief distribution, reiterating their commitment to easing the burdens of the less privileged in Ilorin and beyond. He also sought royal blessings for their future initiatives.
As part of activities marking the founder’s 34th birthday, SAS Foundation expanded its outreach to include communities, correctional centers, and orphanages in Ilorin.
Mallam Muslim Saleeman, the foundation’s Director General, reaffirmed their dedication to grassroots development, stressing the importance of community-driven philanthropy.
Alhaji Abdulfatai Owonwami, Chairman of Araromi Community, expressed gratitude for SAS Foundation’s outreach, highlighting its significant impact on residents during Ramadan.
The foundation also visited the Ilorin Correctional Service facility and the Kwara State Children Reception Centre, earning praise from officials and beneficiaries alike.
The welfare officer at the correctional facility, Mr. AbdulGafar Abdullateef, stressed the need for sustained support for inmates, while the head of the orphanage, Mrs. Elizabeth Jegede, commended SAS Foundation for its commitment to caring for vulnerable children.
The Rotary Club of the City of Abuja, Wuse II, has recognized Kola Adegoke, a distinguished digital health expert and AI researcher, with the Humanitarian Service Award for his contributions to healthcare interoperability, AI-driven precision medicine, and public health innovation.
The award marks a milestone in Adegoke’s 20-year legacy of healthcare leadership, including his work at Coasterners Pharmacy, which has expanded telemedicine and remote consultation services across Nigeria.
Adegoke’s career spans health informatics, AI in medicine, and healthcare policy transformation.
With degrees from higher institutions in Nigeria and the United States (US), Adegoke is currently pursuing a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) in Health Policy and Management.
He is also among the elite 2,500 professionals globally holding the Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS) certification.
As a peer reviewer for leading scientific journals, including JMIR and PLOS ONE, Adegoke evaluates cutting-edge research in digital health, AI, and healthcare informatics, reinforcing his influence in the field.
Adegoke has authored multiple scholarly publications on AI in precision medicine, healthcare interoperability, and digital mental health solutions.
Some of his publications are:
*The Future of AI in Precision Medicine: Explainability, Data Privacy, and Ethical Considerations” – Examining AI-driven healthcare models and their implications.
*From Crisis to Recovery: Exploring the Demand Surge for Mental Health Services in Alberta, Canada” – Analyzing the role of digital health interventions in mental health services.
*Interoperability in Digital Healthcare: Enhancing Consumer Health and Transforming Care Systems” – Proposing policy reforms for secure and accessible health data sharing.
According to the President of the Rotary Club of Abuja, Wuse II, Rotarian Obiageri C. Henshaw, PHF, “Kola Adegoke’s contributions have transformed healthcare systems, ensuring better accessibility and innovation in digital health and AI.”
Reacting to his choice for the award, Adegoke said: “This award reaffirms my mission to harness digital health and AI innovations to improve patient outcomes, bridge healthcare disparities, and drive global health policy reforms.”
Adegoke continues to be a pioneer in digital health and AI, shaping the future of healthcare through research, innovation, and policy transformation.
The Concerned Constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District have rejected any attempt to recall Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following her suspension from the Senate.
The group insisted that the suspension is illegal and a violation of their democratic rights.
In a statement by Hon. Abdulrahaman Badamasiuy, Coordinator/convener, on Monday, the constituents declared support for Akpoti-Uduaghan and warned against any attempt to fraudulently remove her from office.
They also called on the Senate to immediately reverse her suspension, arguing that it deprives them of federal representation in the National Assembly.
The constituents emphasised that Akpoti-Uduaghan remained their legitimate representative, having been overwhelmingly elected in the 2023 general elections to serve until May 2027.
“Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan remains the one in whom we deposited our legitimacy as a Senatorial Constituency, and nobody can unscrupulously violate our democratic and constitutional rights,” the statement reads.
They further stressed that all communities in Kogi Central stand firmly behind her and will never compromise on the quality of representation she has provided since assuming office.
The group outlined several key demands and warnings: Immediate reinstatement – The Senate must terminate the illegal suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan to restore constitutional representation for Kogi Central.
They urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government to ensure her safety and prevent any further provocations against the peace-loving people of Kogi Central.
While they have remained peaceful, they expect others to do the same, urging authorities to act swiftly in addressing their concerns.
The constituents called on the Senate to immediately reverse what they described as an unjust and unconstitutional suspension, allowing Akpoti-Uduaghan to resume her duties.
“Let no one provoke us any further while we look forward to having our concerns addressed within the shortest possible time,” they concluded.
Former Chairman of the Governing Board of Projects Development Institute (PRODA), Enugu, Comrade Daniel Onjeh, has expressed concerns over the increasing trend of conflicting injunctions emanating from courts, warning that such judicial inconsistencies could push the country towards anarchy.
In a statement on Monday, Onjeh condemned what he described as the reckless abuse of legal orders, stating that the judiciary, being the last hope of the common man, must safeguard its integrity.
He warned that eroding public confidence in the judicial system could return society to a State of Nature as opined by Thomas Hobbes where the survival of the fittest prevails.
“It is becoming apparent that the Benue State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal, empaneled by the embattled Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, is on a mission to subvert justice.
“The Appeal Panel, which is the final arbiter in the matter of the 2024 Benue State Local Government Elections, seems determined to deliver rulings that will make a complete travesty of the law,” Onjeh declared.
Onjeh said it was even more worrisome as Justice Ikpambese, in a viral video, had previously said he’ll put judges in the Appeal Panel that will “pepper” the Benue State Government.
He added that the embattled Benue Chief Judge seems bent on using his jurisdictional control over the Tribunals and Appeal Panel to subvert justice in the matter.
“These power-hungry detractors care nothing about public perception or the far-reaching consequences of their actions. Their desperation to control the Benue local government system has dragged the name and image of the judiciary into the mud,” he said.
Onjeh dismissed as laughable the belief of some political actors that they can manipulate the system without being exposed.
“They think they are swimming in a boundless ocean, whereas, those with the third eye to discern their political gimmicks are seeing them clearly like tiny goldfishes in an aquarium. They may deceive a gullible society, but their activities are obvious to us, and we will continue to expose them,” he asserted.
He further described the recent injunction by the FCT High Court, which ordered the relocation of the Benue State Election Petition Tribunal back to Abuja as legally and procedurally flawed.
He pointed out that the applicants who secured the injunction lacked locus standi, as they were neither petitioners nor respondents in the tribunal.
“Even more absurd is the fact that they falsely included the APC as a party in their application, despite the party not being involved in the case,” Onjeh noted.
He explained that interim injunctions are preservative orders meant to maintain the status quo, not to compel an action. However, in this case, the FCT High Court went beyond its bounds by issuing an order that mandated action rather than preserving an existing situation.
“If we allow people with no direct stake in a case to obtain such questionable injunctions, one day, someone will secure a court order demanding that the President relocates his office to their village,” he warned.
Onjeh emphasised that the Chief Judge of Benue State lacks the authority to relocate the Election Petition Tribunal from Makurdi to Abuja.
He stressed that local government elections are governed by state electoral laws.
He also dismissed the claim that insecurity in Makurdi necessitated the tribunal’s relocation, arguing that no official complaint had been made to the Governor, who is the Chief Security Officer of the state.
“Governor Alia has issued security directives barring all non-interested parties from coming near the tribunal’s sitting. More so, the NBA Headquarters in Abuja, where Justice Ikpambese relocated the tribunal, is not an open court as required by Section 83 of the extant Benue State Electoral Laws on Local Government Election Petitions,” Onjeh stated.
He described as alarming the fact that the same APC members who secured the questionable injunction are also the ones backing the petitioners at the tribunal, even though they did not participate in the 2024 Benue State Local Government Elections.
“Only candidates who participated in an election and their political parties have the locus standi to approach an election tribunal. The Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) did not recognise them as candidates, so on what basis are they demanding to be declared winners?” he queried.
Onjeh stated that a petitioner can only approach the Tribunal to challenge the candidate of another party who was declared the winner in an election, but not the candidates of his own party who emerged at the primaries.
He further noted that the FCT High Court overstepped its jurisdiction by ruling on matters concerning Benue State’s local government election laws, which are outside its territorial authority.
He also criticised the court for issuing a conflicting ruling against an earlier injunction granted by the Federal High Court in Makurdi, which ordered the tribunal to return to Makurdi.
“Courts of coordinate jurisdiction cannot overrule each other; only an appellate court has such power. The proper course of action for the applicants should have been to seek redress at the Court of Appeal, not to engage in forum shopping by running to another court of equal jurisdiction,” he explained.
Onjeh also blamed lawyers for misleading judges and abusing the judicial process for personal or political gain.
“Lawyers are supposed to be priests in the temple of justice, presenting only truthful and relevant information to the courts. Instead, many deliberately mislead judges, concealing crucial facts to obtain favourable rulings. It is highly probable that the lawyers who obtained the injunction from the FCT High Court failed to disclose the subsisting order from the Federal High Court in Makurdi,” he said.
Onjeh commended Governor Alia’s commitment to good governance, fiscal responsibility, and the welfare of Benue’s people. He said those seeking to use judicial manipulation to usurp power are the same individuals who, when in office, failed to improve the state. “They are not interested in Benue’s development—only in their own political and economic survival,” he added.
He called on the judiciary to tread carefully to avoid plunging Nigeria into chaos. “If conflicting injunctions continue unchecked, the judicial system will become a tool for political warfare rather than a mechanism for justice. The courts must resist being used as pawns in the desperate schemes of power-hungry politicians,” he warned.
Onjeh, who is a former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), called on the NJC to look critically into the recommendations of the Benue Assembly on Justice Ikpambese, as well as the petition written against him, and to act swiftly to resolve all the lingering issues in the long-drawn legal tussle in order to preserve the sanctity and integrity of the judiciary.
He also urged the appellate court to immediately set aside the FCT High Court’s order.
Ahead of the 2027 elections, hundreds of market association members and women groups in Kaduna state staged a peaceful demonstration over the weekend, reaffirming their loyalty and support for the administration of Governor Uba Sani and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The protesters, who gathered across Kaduna metropolis, alleged they had bitter experiences under the previous El-Rufai administration.
They vowed to stand firmly with Governor Uba Sani and cautioned Kaduna residents against being swayed in a different direction.
Recounting their ordeals during the eight years of the past government, the demonstrators claimed that hundreds of market shops were seised, demolished, or confiscated, leading to severe financial losses, health complications, and even deaths among affected traders and business owners.
“We’ve been in the market for over 40 years and have never experienced the kind of set backs we suffered under the previous Governor.”
“A lot of lives were lost,a lot of finances were ruined by reason of his kind of policies. We are here to speak with one voice and say that anything that would kind of revive such kind of philosophy in Kaduna market, we don’t want it,” Daniel Audu Maigari, a stakeholder of the Kaduna Market associations, has said.
He explained, “This incumbent governor began by healing the wounds, the wounds that were really severed by the former Governor. Governor Uba Sani has been doing so,so very well and that’s why we’ve been with our leader, Alhaji Abdurrahman Mohammed, who like Governor Sani,has been charting the right course, ensuring programmes and plans that will heal these wounds.”
He said there was never been a time they are having the impact of leadership in Kaduna market, like they are having now.
“Now we’ve lots of incentives, lots of policies that are driving us to progress .We are now standing with one voice to denounce anything that would reverse this,” he said.
Alhaji Daiyabu Ismail Mai Gwanjo, Chairman Stakeholders of the Kaduna State Market Traders associations, said on behalf of their leader, Alhaji Abdurrahman Mohammed, his EXCO and all trader leaders in the 23 Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, they have gathered to unilaterally declare an unalloyed support to Governor Uba Sani who had taken care of them and protected their interests.
According to him, “We have to say so,haven had the harrowing experience in the hands of the past administration. The scar still remains and many are yet to recover.”
“But when Almighty Allah sent Governor Uba Sani to us,he declared he would not do anything bad to traders because the world thrives on businesses.All the most cherished countries like China, Canada, UAE, India,are very proud of and supportive to their traders and other business persons.”
“Unfortunately, we found ourselves during the previous administration that neither showed empathy nor sympathy to traders. An approximate number of 36 markets were demolished at that time.None of these markets was completely rebuild ,till date,and we are suspicious of the collaboration between the previous administration and the market developers.”
“We are therefore calling on Governor Uba Sani, our Governor of sympathy and understanding, to look at this issue with a view to resolving it.We are with Uba Sani a hundred percent, ” he added.
Hajiya Hadiza Abdulaziz,a woman leader of the market association,said they have gathered in multitudes to reiterate their support to the APC and Governor Uba Sani who has tremendously supported the market men and women in Kaduna State.
“Most of the market women had no shops because the shops were collected. But now we give God the glory everybody has gotten their shops back and nobody will collect it again,” she said.
She expressed happiness that those making the market women not to achieve, had left the party and government.
“We’ve been crying, a lot of market women don’t have capital, they have been deceiving us.But now,I believe Governor Uba Sani is going to assist us,”she added.
The protesters later took to the streets, displaying placards with various inscriptions denouncing the previous arrangements, and chanting slogans in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani and the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Residents of Kudenda community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State were overjoyed as philanthropist Mr. Oyedele Olawale commissioned and donated essential social amenities to them over the weekend.
Olawale, the CEO of a leading grains processing factory supplying multinational food and beverage companies, described the initiative as part of his company’s corporate social responsibility to its host community.
Speaking to journalists after the event, he expressed appreciation to the Kaduna State government for providing a conducive environment for businesses to thrive.
Reflecting on his journey, Olawale recalled starting his career in Kaduna after completing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
He rose through the ranks at Leadway Assurance before transitioning into entrepreneurship, where he has now made a significant impact in the agricultural and food processing sector.
The philanthropist went down memory lane, saying, “I retired from Leadway Assurance in Kaduna. I did my youth service in Kaduna. I served at the Leadway and I was employed there. I rose through the rank to become the managing Director. When I retired from Leadway, I started this company called Nikoy Nigeria Limited. This company is roughly 33/34 years old.
“We are into processing of grains and selling to multinational companies that deal in food and beverage. Our clients are only multinational companies.
“In our social responsibility to our immediate community we decided to give back to the community some social amenities like borehole, street light, grading of roads and drainages, prayer ground for Muslim faithful, provision of restroom and bathroom for food vendors and visitors.
“The State government has been good to us by giving us enabling environment to operate. Our major concern is the issue of insecurity which is a national issue. So to reduce insecurity in our immediate environment we decided to provide street lights to reduce activities of miscreants in the area. We decided to construct the drainage because each time it rained the road is flooded making it impossible for people to pass”.
Earlier in his remarks, the Sarki (Chief) of Kudenda, His Royal Highness, Gabriel Bagudu Galadima expressed gratitude to the benefactor for the donation of the social amenities to the community.
Chief Galadima called on other well spirited individuals to emulate the business mogul for the betterment of the society, just as he admonished residents of the community to take care of the facilities while making use of them.
Highlights of the event was the cutting of tape by the traditional ruler to commission the facilities, most of which are situated in the vicinity of the factory.
Hope is high now for a better Michika LGA after the launch of a plan to revive the once thriving community that took a distressing turn, especially after the Boko Haram invasion of 2014 reports ONIMISI ALAO, YOLA
Michika Local Government Area which lies in the northern part of Adamawa State is one of the biggest and most populous LGAs, but it is today one of the most disadvantaged of Adamawa’s 21 LGAs.
This has been so especially since 2014 when it became one of the seven LGAs in the state that fell into the control of Boko Haram insurgents.
By January 2015 when the Nigerian military liberated the LGA, many houses, business premises and other valuable social and economic assets had been wasted by the insurgents, and today, 10 years after, the physical scares remain for the eyes of even cursory visitors to see.
This background fits the LGA to moves now being made, moves that started in 2023 and have now manifested by way of a carefully designed plan.
This past Wednesday, March 12, 2025, German Government’s international development organ, GIZ, collaborating with sister international nongovernment organisation, Oxfam Nigeria and other such development bodies, launched a jointly developed socio-economic development plan for the people of Michika LGA.
The Michika LGA Community Development Plan (CDP) and accompanying Costed Action Plan (CAP) for Implementation were drawn up after a process akin to a needs assessment articulated by the residents as mobilized by the implementing partners across the Michika’s 12 wards for the purpose of developing the LGA.
The focus of the development plan is on agriculture and food security, health, education, water and sanitation, conflict and security, gender, among other sectors.
In his address welcoming guests to the March 12 launch of the Michika LGA CDP and Costed Action Plan (CAP), the Country Director, GIZ Nigeria and ECOWAS, Dr Markus Wagner who spoke through GIZ’s head of Governance Component, Mrs Bolaji Aina, said the Community Development Plan for Michika LGA was meant to build the resilience of the people, get them to actively participate in governance and development efforts, and generally empower them to live better life.
In the opening remark of the event, Jumai Momoh of Oxfam Nigeria who spoke on behalf of Oxfam Country Director, John Makina, said Oxfam had been privileged to be funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU) to work with GIZ on the Michika Development Plan which provides for inclusive and participatory governance.
She said the CDP and the CAP that comes with it are designed as a complete guide for the Michika local council and other authorities that would be involved in due course in actions to bring development to the LGA.
The Chairman of Adamawa State Planning Commission, Dr Mary Paninga who delivered a goodwill message, said the state government appreciates that the people in the grassroots should through the CDP be involved in how they are governed and how they achieve development.
An overview of the CDC project in Michika, presented at the launch by Geraldyne Eziakile of GIZ, explained that the CDP program gives voice to the ordinary people, as individuals drawn from various strata of Michika had their inputs.
She recalled that the program started with a workshop in Yola, followed by other workshops in both Yola and Michika, attended by stakeholders in the Michika project, all aimed at coming up with a workable people-centred plan.
He said she and other executors of the project went to all the 16 wards in Michika, interacted with thousands of residents, and collected all types of information.
“Nobody was left behind: youths, women, people with disability, religious and community leaders — every interest was represented,” she said, adding that the whole idea was to draw up a plan that encourages inclusive planning and participatory implementation.
She disclosed that along the line, ward development support committees (WDSCs) were established, the 16 wards having such committee of 25 members each.
The overview of the accompanying Costed Action Plan, presented by Enoch Bamaiyi of the GIZ, indicated that the Michika CDP was motivated by a need to remedy the damage done by the Boko Haram insurgency.
He said the plan is meant as a guide for everyone: government, NGOs, and politicians who may wish to do anything for Michika to be guided on the areas of need.
The immediate past and then incumbent chairmen of the Michika Local Government as well as leaders of the various ward development support committees attested to the importance of the Michika CDP, indicating that some of the outlined projects in the five-year plan had either been implemented or being implemented ahead of the official launch.
They mentioned some of such projects across the LGA as construction of two major roads in Michika town by the state government, and rehabilitation of some roads and culverts, as well as provision of seats in some schools, sponsoring of skills training for some youths, among other projects by either the Michika Local Government or the ward development support committees.
In an interview on the side of the March 12 launch of the Michika CDP and CAP, the immediate past chairman of Michika, Amos Drambi under whom the development of the plan started in 2023, said the Michika LGA Community Development Plan is a document prepared through extensive consultation across a broad spectrum of stakeholders in all Michika’s 16 wards, and contains the priority community development needs of the people of Michika.
His successor, the incumbent chairman, Danbiyu Tumba, explained that the Michika CDP is a five-year road map designed to help the LGA achieve its goal of facilitating rapid socio-economic development and improving the livelihood of the citizens.
The CDP document which was presented at the launch explained that CDP sessions organized in 2023 at each ward at the initial stage to gather inputs, involved different categories of people from the 16 wards.
The participants, the document specifies, comprised traditional, religious and political leaders, men and women of various age groups, artisans, persons living with disability, internally displaced people, host communities and returnees, all of who came together to plan for the development of the different wards of the LGA.
According to the document, “During the CDP sessions, the people mentioned development challenges as high cost of modern farming inputs, inadequate extension workers, clashes between farmers and herders, high unemployment rate, lack of skills acquisition centres, poor GSM network, poor access roads, inadequate access to credit facilities for starting or expanding businesses, inadequate teachers at both primary and secondary schools, early marriage and depriving of girls from inheritance, lack of social safety nets for the elderly and the poor, among others.
Solutions to the challenges, the document assured, have been duly canvassed in the CDP.
On its own, the Five-year Costed Action Plan document which was presented along with the main CDP document during the March 12 launch, offered the explanation that the CDP sessions across the 16 wards that closely identified needs and suggested solutions also volunteered estimated cost package to implement the solutions.
Michika LGA has a population of 239,400 inhabitants, as projected for the year 2022. The administrative headquarters, Michika town, is rated as the third biggest in Adamawa State after the capital Yola, and the state’s international commercial nerve centre, Mubi.
A group of Kogi women known as Ebira Women Professionals Forum (EWPF) has exonerated Senate President Godswill Akpabio of the alleged sexual harassment by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi central).
They said abundant facts point to the innocence of the Senate President who has not only demonstrated that he is gender friendly but also received honour to that effect when he was Akwa Ibom Governor.
The group in a statement on Friday by its President General, Hajia Salamatu Abdullahi expressed disappointment over the allegation by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of being on a mission to bring international embarrassment instead of honour.
They said the testimony by Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi who said he was part of Senators that visited Akpabio in Uyo December 2023 during the Senate President’s birthday confirmed his innocence.
Nwebonyi, in the interview, claimed he drove in the same car with Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s and her husband and can’t remember when the Senate President harassed his Kogi Central colleague.
Agreeing totally with him, Ebira Women Professionals Forum accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of being a serial blackmailer who will stop at nothing to use sexual harassment allegation to damage people’s reputation.
The women group said a testimony from an insider who was part of the visit cannot be controverted.
They applauded the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan for her unparliamemtary behaviour and called on Ebira Women to always be good Ambassadors of the tribe and Kogi in general.
