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Tag: Akpabio

  • We will support Tinubu’s transformation drive of military to world-class force, says Akpabio

    We will support Tinubu’s transformation drive of military to world-class force, says Akpabio

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio has pledged the National Assembly’s support for President Bola Tinubu’s initiative to modernize the Nigerian military into a world-class force.

    Akpabio gave the pledged on Thursday, April 10, at the inaugural high-level roundtable of the National Defence College (NDC) Irregular Warfare Centre, in Abuja.

    The Senate President was the Special Guest of Honour.

    The event focused on presenting research findings from ongoing Joint Task Force operations in the country and demonstrated the ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s defense systems and promote regional security through collaborative research and strategic planning initiatives.

    Akpabio said, “Let me affirm here now that the National Assembly stands as a steadfast ally to our Armed Forces. We remain fully committed to supporting you, not only in defending our sovereignty but in evolving into an elite, world-class force.

    “We will ensure you are equipped not only with weapons, but with training, intelligence, innovation, and the moral mandate of the people.”

    Represented by Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Sen. Abdulaziz Yar’adua, the Senate President described the initiative by the NDC as not only timely, but a kind of strategic and inclusive thinking that is forward looking and that would shape the future of the country.

    While saluting members of the Armed Forces for their sacrifices in defending the country against adversaries, he urged the military to continue to uphold professionalism, discipline, and respect for human dignity.

    He said: “We understand that the battles we fight are not only on the frontline of war, but also on the frontier of perception…For it is through these virtues that you ensure trust between the community and the citizens. Let the people not see our soldiers as mere children-poets, but as patrolling warriors standing between order and chaos.

    “Let them in their uniform be seen not as a symbol of fear, but as a banner of protection, honor, and peace.”

    Akpabio called for the implementation of the research findings to create a stronger defense policy, foster deeper cooperation, and inspire bolder thinking.

    In his remarks, Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru, who was represented by his Special Assistant Technical, Maj.-Gen. Ahmed Jibril (Rtd), said the Federal Government is combating insecurity through a whole-of-society approach.

    Badaru said that the approach was designed due to the realization that the kinetic approach alone cannot solve the problem of insecurity.

    He explained that the approach, which is a comprehensive strategy, involves government agencies, civil society organizations, individual citizens, and the private sector in efforts to solve the insecurity problem.

    Badaru said: “The idea of dealing with insecurity through a kinetic approach alone, we knew that it’s not going to work. I recall during the Chief of Army Staff Conference, he told us that this thing that everybody is thinking is a military thing, or a police thing, or a security agency thing, is not going to work. If we continue like that, this problem will remain with us for life.”

    The minister said that the government was attacking the root causes of insecurity by addressing the problems of poverty, inequality, and unemployment in the country.

    The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, represented by the Director of Special Operations at the Defence Headquarters, Rear Admiral Alexander Bingel, said that the concept of a joint task force was responsible for bringing peace to the North East.

    “However, of recent, we have noticed that those successes have been dwelt down,” he said.

    “And this research is so timely that it will give us an insight into what we need to do, what we need to improve on, so that we will, at the end of the day, achieve the common goal of securing a country where the lives and properties of our citizenry are protected.”

    Earlier in his remarks, the Commandant of NDC, Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu, said the Irregular War Centre was established in January 2025 to close the gap in research effort especially in the areas of irregular and hybrid threats to meet the evolving security dynamics in contemporary times, where nations are confronted by various forms of threats other than conventional war.

    According to him, the centre, as part of its mandate, also conducts evidence-based research that contributes to public policies, strategies, and training needs to enhance the effectiveness of our defence and security services as part of a whole-of-society approach to mitigating security challenges.

    These field researches in the areas of operation of the various Joint Task Forces in the country were informed by the need to identify the impacts of JTF operations on the socio-economic and political development in their Areas of Responsibility.

    Read Also: Akpabio demands retractions, apology from Natasha, Abbo over malicious allegations

    This is consistent with the mandate of the College to undertake research in pursuit of its mandate as a Centre of Excellence in research and training at the strategic level. On this, I sincerely thank the Chief of Defence Staff, General CG Musa, OFR, for being very supportive of the project.

    He said: “Between 16 and 25 February, six Research Teams comprising members of the Faculty and Research Fellows in the College navigated complex socio-political landscapes and traversed challenging terrains across the six geopolitical zones in the country. They engaged various stakeholders drawn from state and local government officials, academics, defence and security services, traditional and religious institutions, local vigilantes, residents, and civil society Organisations, among other stakeholders. In the course of the field research, the teams conducted Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), Focused Group Discussions (FGDs), and observed firsthand the realities on the ground.

    “The field research was not merely an academic exercise; rather, they were a mission to gather objective insights that can inform strategic decision-making and contribute to a more effective and sustainable approach to security and stability in Nigeria. No doubt, the data that have been gathered reveal the multifaceted realities as they apply in the various geopolitical zones in the country. It is on this basis that the College has organised and extended invitations to Your Excellencies and your institutions to be present at this High-Level Roundtable as we publicly present the reports.”

    Rear Admiral Olotu said that the research of findings would be another starting point that further feeds existing knowledge on the subject matter in such a manner that stimulates open and constructive dialogue.

  • Mediating political disputes

    Mediating political disputes

    Political disputes can benefit from the mediation process if parties submit to an experienced mediator to settle their disputes. Even high profile cases making the headlines like the dispute between the suspended governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, versus members of the state House of Assembly, and even that between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan versus Senate President Godswill Akpabio can benefit from mediation instead of the long-winded adversarial adjudication offered by the courts. But who will bell the cat considering the untrammeled ego at play?

    What constitutes mediation? The Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse Neutrals’ Handbook, defines mediation as “a process by which a neutral third party assists two or more people to address issues in conflict in order to give them an opportunity to reach a mutually agreed solution.” It went on: “The mediator uses a variety of skill and techniques to help the parties negotiate but does not make any decisions for them.” It concluded: “Some of the more common types of mediation are “interest based facilitative mediation” and “evaluation mediation.”

    Of course, while practitioners of mediation undergo training to learn modern skills associated with its practice, and are more susceptible to neutrality and successes, non-trained persons can mediate disputes. As I like to say while mediating disputes, mediation was originally the African way of settling disputes between parties before the introduction of the litigation based approach. And in mediation, the parties agree on the terms of settlement, while in litigation, a judge is authorized to impose a settlement on parties.

    Take for example the dispute between Fubara and the legislators. Before it got entangled in unconstitutional conducts, it was principally a dispute about the contending interests of the parties. To untie the knots, whoever is asked to mediate needs to go back to those issues in dispute and help agree to a resolution through the process of give and take. If the original issues in contention are resolved between the parties, that standard will be used to deal with all the issues that may have arisen since the disputants refused to agree.

    While untying the knots of the disputes, it would become clearer to the parties, where and how they derailed from either an express agreement or expected standard of engagement in political relationship. The mediator would help all the sides understand what were the expectations that were not met, and help the offending party explain why or how the expectations were met. In disputes, sometimes the real issue that is important to one of the parties may not be known to the opposing party, and through a mediation process the issue crystallizes and a resolution applied.

    Read Also: Beyond the game: 10 Super Eagles players with academic degrees

    And in professional mediation, unlike in litigation, a contending party is free to negotiate a settlement and if the mediation does not succeed, the concessions made during the mediation process would not be held against him in court. For example, if in a dispute over a contract sum due and payable, one of the parties offers to pay a certain sum to end the dispute, if the opposing party declines, that offer cannot be pleaded as a reference benchmark in court. So, the offer fails or succeeds at mediation.

    Of course, under the rules of mediation which the parties have to submit to, the mediator cannot be called to give evidence of what the parties said or agreed to at the various sessions. And the mediator is not expected to keep records of the mediation. So there will be no opportunity for subpoena ad testificandum to compel the mediator to testify, or subpoena duces tecum to compel the mediator to produce a document before the court.

    Professional mediators are persons who are preeminently neutral in any dispute they are called to mediate. So, at the beginning, the mediator declares whether he/she has an interest in the issue he/she is called to mediate. If the mediator has an interest, a neutral mediator is assigned the dispute. Again, because mediation is party driven, where any of the party objects to a named mediator, he/she is changed, since the cooperation of the parties are fundamental to a successful mediation. Where either of the party don’t agree with an ongoing process, the mediation fails.

    Another important factor is that when an agreement is reached and parties sign off on it, it becomes binding and efficacious as the judgment of the court. The Natasha versus Akpabio dispute which is already in court would enjoy that benefit, should the matter be sent to mediation either by the court suo moto, or upon the request of either of the parties. Of course, while many would want the lugubrious allegation against Akpabio to continue to tantalize their dry sense of humour, the parties can choose mediation to end the saga.

    The parties can agree on the terms of settlement, including an agreement to keep the terms secret from the general public. A party can agree to settle a dispute for its nuisance value, not necessary out of guilt as alleged. Again, despite the titillating allegations of sexual harassment, the diatribe from the parties shows that there are other undulating forces and factors at, beyond the salacious details of alleged sexual advances. And if the parties resolve that open opera through mediation, it can cinch all the tales.

    Even electoral disputes can be a subject of mediation as some of the causa belli for approaching election petition tribunals can be settled at mediation, instead of the resource-wasting approach to the tribunals. In some instances, a party may be aggrieved that the resources expended in the electoral process have been wasted and he/she approaches the tribunal to vent the anger. Through mediation, that anger can be assuaged, through some form of appeasement. There are instances where a simple apology satiates anger, while in some, monetary or other form of comfort help resolve a dispute.

    In discussing the benefits of mediation, the LMDC Handbook, noted: “Mediation allows parties to come to a resolution of their dispute within the context of their relationship. This is particularly important when the relation is going to continue, such as the relationship that parents have with one another even after a divorce, the relationship of one business partner with another, the relationship of employer and employee, the relationship of neighbors, etc.” Of course, in the two political cases referred to, both parties are likely to have a relationship for some time to come.

    The dispute in Rivers State is one that the principal parties should by now have realized the urgent need to submit to some form of mediation in the interest of all the parties affected. As should be clear to the suspended governor and the legislators, the country would move on without them, instead of allowing their dispute to upend the economic well-being of the nation.

  • Suspension: Court bars Akpabio, Natasha, others from press interviews

    Suspension: Court bars Akpabio, Natasha, others from press interviews

    • Senate President demands retraction from Akpoti-Uduaghan, Abbo over allegations

    • No limits to number of petitions on Natasha’s recall — INEC

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has barred parties in the suit filed by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and three others from granting press interviews on issues relating to the case.

    Justice Binta Nyako issued the order yesterday following complaint by lawyer to Akpabio, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN).

    Ogunwumiju had complained that the plaintiff was moving from one television house to another, granting press interviews on issues relating to her case, currently pending before the court.

    He claimed that Natasha has been to the BBC and CNN to speak on the issue.

    Ruling, Justice Nyako said there shall be no press interviews by all parties and their lawyers as regarding the subject matter of the case.

    Justice Nyako, who noted that the case was sub-judice, also barred parties and their lawyers from engaging in streaming of proceedings in the case on social media.

    At the commencement of proceedings yesterday, plaintiff’s lawyer, Jibril Okutepa (SAN) told the court that the case was coming up for the first time having been transferred from another court presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu.

    Okutepa said parties have filed and exchanged all relevant documents except one, and prayed the court to grant a consolidated hearing of all pending applications along with the substantive suit.

    He noted that time was of the essence because his client’s suspicion was for a limited period.

    He added that his client was desirous of expeditious determination of the case.

    Lawyers to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Charles Iyoila and Paul Daudu (SAN), who represented the Senate, did not object to Okutepa’s application that the substantive case should be heard with the objections raised by the defendants.

    Ogunwumiju and Umeh Kalu (SAN), who represented Senator Neda Imasuem – Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct – objected to Okutepa’s application.

    Read Also: Tinubu is a courageous leader, we are praying for him – Bishop Wale Oke

    Justice Nyako ruled and held in favour of Okutepa, saying the court would hear all pending applications, including preliminary objections along with the substantive suit.

    She then adjourned till May 12 for hearing.

    Listed as defendants in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 are the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, the President of the Senate and Senator Neda Imasuem (Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct).

    Natasha is, by the suit, challenging the decision of the Senate to suspend her for six months over alleged misconduct.

    The plaintiff is contending, among others, that she was not accorded fair hearing before the Senate took the decision to suspend her.

    Senate President demands retraction from Akpoti-Uduaghan, Abbo over allegations

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio has written letters to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and former Adamawa North Senator, Ishaku Elisha Abbo to demand retractions, apologies and compensation for reputational harm over malicious claims against him by the duo.

    While Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of plotting his assassination, Abbo claimed that the Senate president masterminded his removal from the Senate.

    Akpabio, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Hon Eseme Eyiboh in Abuja, said that the “timing, tone and striking similarity of these coordinated attacks point clearly to a politically motivated smear campaign.”

    He described the accusations as baseless, malicious and false, urging the public to disregard them.

    The statement reads in part: “The Office of the President of the Senate strongly condemns the recent baseless, false and inflammatory accusation made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in which she falsely alleged that the Senate President, His Excellency, Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON, was involved in a plot to assassinate her.

    “While speaking in Kogi State on April 1, 2025, the suspended Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan recklessly and maliciously claimed that Senator Godswill Akpabio ‘recruited’ former Governor Yahaya Bello to ‘assassinate her in Kogi State rather than in Abuja.’

    “This outrageous accusation is not only false but a complete fabrication and deeply irresponsible and dangerous attempt to provoke public unrest, attract media attention and discredit the person and office of the President of the Senate for ulterior motives.

    “It is important to remind the public that this same individual had previously made an unsubstantiated accusation of sexual harassment against Senator Akpabio—a claim she seems to have abandoned without explanation.

    “Having failed to gain traction with that narrative, she has now escalated her campaign of misinformation to a deadly and defamatory dimension.

    “This pattern of deliberate falsehoods and manipulative theatrics reveals a troubling willingness to exploit public sensitivities through recurring victimhood narratives.

    “It is a matter of public record that she has previously made assassination allegations against former Governor Yahaya Bello and others in 2019 and 2023, along with multiple unsubstantiated claims of sexual harassment against other dignitaries.

    “Her recurring persecution narrative and evident lying complex should not be weaponised to malign individuals or destroy hard-earned reputations.

    “Interestingly, this latest reckless allegation is not occurring in isolation.

    “Barely 24 hours later, on April 2, 2025, former Senator Elisha Abbo appeared on Arise Television to revive a previously withdrawn claim that Senator Akpabio ‘manipulated the judiciary’ to secure his removal from the Senate.

    “Nigerians will recall that Mr. Abbo, in 2023, publicly retracted this same accusation and tendered an apology after acknowledging that his claims were founded on incorrect assumptions.

    “His removal from office was the outcome of a constitutionally grounded judicial decision by the Court of Appeal, which independently determined that he was not duly elected to represent Adamawa North.

    “In a further twist, Mr. Abbo also alleged that he was denied his entitlements by the Senate President. This, too, is categorically false.

    “Entitlements such as salaries and allowances are processed strictly through administrative and legal procedures.

    “The Senate President does not and cannot unilaterally approve or deny such requests.

    “Any delays or rejections would have been based solely on due diligence and compliance with established protocols.

    “The timing, tone and striking similarity of these coordinated attacks point clearly to a politically motivated smear campaign.

    “These individuals—backed by undisclosed interests—appear united in a desperate effort to undermine the credibility of the Senate and its leadership and intended to distract from their own personal and political shortcomings and failings.

    “Senator Godswill Akpabio remains undeterred.

    “As a statesman devoted to national unity, institutional integrity, and the rule of law, he will not be distracted by malicious falsehoods or inflammatory rhetoric.

    “Regardless of the necessity for legal redress, formal letters of demand, seeking immediate public retractions, apologies and compensation for reputational harm, are underway to be served on both Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Mr Elisha Abbo.

    “We call on the Nigerian public in particular and the International Community to reject these baseless and provocative narratives.

    “The Senate, under Senator Akpabio’s leadership, remains focused on its constitutional mandate: to promote legislative excellence, safeguard democratic values, and deliver meaningful progress for the Nigerian people.”

    No limits to number of petitions on Natasha’s recall — INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said there are no limits to the number of times a lawmaker can be subjected to a recall process.

    The clarification was made by the Chairman of the Commission, Rotimi Oyekanmi in relation to the recall efforts initiated by some constituents of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over her face-off with the authorities of the upper legislative chamber.

    Natasha had been suspended for six months for unruly behavior after a verbal attack she launched against the Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary on February 20 because the latter insisted that she could only address the chamber from the seat allocated to her.

    The lawmaker would later allege that the Senate President prevented her from speaking because she had previously declined his sexual advances.

    Speaking on a Channels Television programmme, Politics Today, on Thursday after a bid by Natasha’s constituents to recall her was declined on the grounds that the conditions precedent had not been fulfilled, Oyekanmi said there is no limit to the number of times her constituents can call for her recall.

    “The law does not specify how many times a lawmaker can be recalled,” he said, adding that Section 69 of the constitution outlines the process for recall but does not restrict the number of attempts.

    He, however, said for any recall to succeed, the petition must meet the constitutional requirement of signatures from more than 50 per cent of the registered voters in the affected constituency.

    The commission had declined the previous effort made to recall Natasha because it noted that the number of verified signatures fell short of the required 50 per cent plus one of registered voters in Kogi Central.

    Led by Charity Omole, some aggrieved constituents had stormed INEC’s headquarters in Abuja on March 24 to submit the recall petition, citing Natasha’s suspension from the Senate s the reason for their action.

    “We cannot afford not to have a representative in the Senate. We are the ones who voted her in, and now we are saying we don’t want her anymore,” Omole said.

    INEC, however, declined the petition despite Omole’s claim that more than 250,000 of the 488,000 registered voters in the district had signed the petition, saying the original submission was incomplete, lacking the necessary contact details of the petitioners as required by the commission’s guidelines.

  • Akpabio demands retractions, apology from Natasha, Abbo over malicious allegations

    Akpabio demands retractions, apology from Natasha, Abbo over malicious allegations

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio has sent letters to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and former Adamawa North Senator Ishaku Elisha Abbo, demanding retractions, apologies, and compensation for reputational damage caused by false and malicious claims against him.

    Akpoti-Uduaghan had accused Akpabio of plotting his assassination, while Abbo alleged that the Senate President orchestrated his removal from the Senate.

    In a statement issued by Akpabio’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, the Senate President described the timing, tone, and striking similarity of these attacks as evidence of a politically motivated smear campaign. 

    He dismissed the accusations as baseless, malicious, and false, urging the public to disregard them.

    The statement reads in part: “The Office of the President of the Senate strongly condemns the recent baseless, false and inflammatory accusation made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in which she falsely alleged that the Senate President, His Excellency, Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON, was involved in a plot to assassinate her.

    “While speaking in Kogi State on April 1, 2025, the suspended Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan recklessly and maliciously claimed that Senator Godswill Akpabio ‘recruited’ former Governor Yahaya Bello to ‘assassinate her in Kogi State rather than in Abuja.’

    “This outrageous accusation is not only false but a complete fabrication and deeply irresponsible and dangerous attempt to provoke public unrest, attract media attention, and discredit the person and office of the President of the Senate for ulterior motives.

    “It is important to remind the public that this same individual had previously made an unsubstantiated accusation of sexual harassment against Senator Akpabio—a claim she seem to have abandoned without explanation.

    Read Also: UPDATED: Court bars parties from granting interviews in Natasha’s case against Akpabio, others

    “Having failed to gain traction with that narrative, she has now escalated her campaign of misinformation to a deadly and defamatory dimension.

    “This pattern of deliberate falsehoods and manipulative theatrics reveals a troubling willingness to exploit public sensitivities through recurring victimhood narratives.

    “It is a matter of public record that she has previously made assassination allegations against former Governor Yahaya Bello and others in 2019 and 2023, along with multiple unsubstantiated claims of sexual harassment against other dignitaries.

    “Her recurring persecution narrative and evident lying complex should not be weaponized to malign individuals or destroy hard-earned reputations.

    “Interestingly, this latest reckless allegation is not occurring in isolation.

    “Barely 24 hours later, on April 2, 2025, former Senator Elisha Abbo appeared on Arise Television to revive a previously withdrawn claim that Senator Akpabio “manipulated the judiciary” to secure his removal from the Senate.

    “Nigerians will recall that Mr. Abbo, in 2023, publicly retracted this same accusation and tendered an apology after acknowledging that his claims were founded on incorrect assumptions.

    “His removal from office was the outcome of a constitutionally grounded judicial decision by the Court of Appeal, which independently determined that he was not duly elected to represent Adamawa North.

    “In a further twist, Mr. Abbo also alleged that he was denied his entitlements by the Senate President. This, too, is categorically false.

    “Entitlements such as salaries and allowances are processed strictly through administrative and legal procedures.

    “The Senate President does not and cannot unilaterally approve or deny such requests.

    “Any delays or rejections would have been based solely on due diligence and compliance with established protocols.

    “The timing, tone, and striking similarity of these coordinated attacks point clearly to a politically motivated smear campaign.

    “These individuals—backed by undisclosed interests—appear united in a desperate effort to undermine the credibility of the Senate and its leadership and intended to distract from their own personal and political shortcomings and failings.

    Senator Godswill Akpabio remains undeterred.

    “As a statesman devoted to national unity, institutional integrity, and the rule of law, he will not be distracted by malicious falsehoods or inflammatory rhetoric.

    “Regardless of the necessity for legal redress, formal letters of demand, seeking immediate public retractions, apologies, and compensation for reputational harm, are underway to be served on both Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Mr Elisha Abbo.

    “We call on the Nigerian public in particular and the International Community to reject these baseless and provocative narratives.

    “The Senate, under Senator Akpabio’s leadership, remains focused on its constitutional mandate: to promote legislative excellence, safeguard democratic values, and deliver meaningful progress for the Nigerian people.”

  • Why they are after Akpabio

    Why they are after Akpabio

    • By Clementina Daika

    In Nigerian politics, loyalty is not merely a virtue—it is a double-edged sword, a cross to bear, and sometimes, a noose. A man who stands firm with his principal will either be praised as a committed ally or seen as an obstacle to someone else’s inordinate ambition. In the latter case, such a man must be “removed.”

    This appears to be the case in the ongoing saga between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who initially attributed her removal as Chairman of the Local Content Committee to sexual harassment, has now changed her tone—claiming she was sacked for “protecting Northern interests.” When one places this narrative side-by-side with the comments of Busola Saraki, Atiku Abubakar, the Arewa Consultative Forum, and other Northern elements, the larger play unfolds. This is not an innocent drama of legislative disagreement. It is a carefully choreographed spectacle—replete with villains, pawns, and shadows.

    At the heart of it stands Akpabio—a man accused, maligned, and marked. Not because he has broken any law or committed any proven wrong, but because he has stood firm beside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. And for that, he must be brought down.

    There is, without question, a gathering of dissenters—former aspirants, serial losers at the ballot, political relics whose time has passed, but whose ambitions remain undimmed. They have no national vision to offer, no coherent philosophy to propose—only a festering grievance and a common enemy: the man who defeated them. Their aim is simple: to seize, through subterfuge and scandal, what they could not secure through the sovereign will of the people. And if power cannot be regained, then the next best thing is to make the country ungovernable.

    The first phase of this plot is clear—decimate the President’s Praetorian Guard. Strip him of loyal allies. Render him vulnerable as 2027 approaches. In their crosshairs is Akpabio.

    Why Akpabio? Akpabio is the first supporter they wish to sacrifice on the altar of vengeance. A visible ally of Tinubu. A formidable defender of the administration. They know that weakening Akpabio loosens the pillars holding up Tinubu’s house. And so, they reach for their weapons—not of war, but of whispers and smear campaigns, sponsored headlines, and strategic falsehoods.

    Read Also: Akpabio not aware of planned rally in Akwa Ibom, says aide

    They know that as long as Akpabio remains Senate President, Tinubu’s re-election bid will enjoy solid legislative backing. As Machiavelli put it, “he who guards the throne is more dangerous than he who sits upon it—remove the guardian, and the throne becomes a chair.” Akpabio is a major guardian of the Tinubu throne. Hence, the attacks from all angles.

    Pawn in the political chess game

    Let us not be beguiled by sentiment. Senator Natasha, in this context, is not a lone voice of justice crying in the wilderness. She is no accidental heroine. She is a pawn in a larger political game—a game devised in the drawing rooms of desperate politicians who, unable to govern Nigeria, now seek to ruin those who do.

    The names are not unfamiliar: Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, Peter Obi—the trio of ambition, bitterness, and illusion. They lost the 2023 election, not through fraud or manipulation, but through the expressed will of millions of Nigerians. Yet, rather than accept the verdict of democracy, they now seek to dismantle its very instruments. What better place to strike than the Senate? And what better target than its presiding officer?

    This is not speculation. Their recent statements, social media antics, and strategic silences at critical moments reveal their hand. Atiku’s viral, unprovoked attack on Akpabio is no coincidence—it is part of the plan.

    Natasha is not a loose cannon; she is a guided missile. The game plan is simple: manufacture crises from the most mundane matters, paint key figures as villains, and set the stage for a grand opposition showdown in 2027. Her sudden outburst in the Senate and carefully choreographed media blitz were the cold open of the movie. Now the sequence has been established, and the opening credits are rolling—featuring Bukola Saraki and company.

    From a routine seating arrangement—a mundane legislative procedure—Senator Natasha has now conjured accusations of sexual harassment, threats to life, and elaborate conspiracies. The timing of this remembrance, suddenly arising a year after the alleged incident, is not only convenient; it is calculated. A smokescreen. A decoy. An attempt to stain a man’s name in the court of public opinion, where evidence is no longer required, and accusation is guilt enough.

    There’s an old legal maxim: Give a dog a bad name and hang him. That, indeed, is what is unfolding. The Atiku-led clique is directing the movie. The volume of money pumped into this needless campaign to lure international media and embarrass the nation is staggering.

    One day, it’s alleged insults. The next, sexual harassment. Tomorrow—who knows? Perhaps, they’ll say Akpabio plans to auction Nigeria. The strategy is obvious: manufacture offence, amplify it through a compliant media, and weaponize it for political gain. But Nigerians are growing wiser—and wearier.

    Even locally, all these unpatriotic efforts to create global embarrassment have yielded nothing. Nigerians are not fools. They know, as all people of discernment do, that justice cannot be built on lies, and democracy cannot thrive on deceit. The cry for accountability rings hollow when it emerges from a place of partisanship, not principle.

    If Senator Natasha were truly pursuing justice, would she be flanked only by those with a declared interest to hijack power?

    The art of giving a dog a bad name.

    According to the ancient Nigerian proverb: “When an owl hoots in the night and a child dies in the morning, we all know who to suspect.” In this case, it is now clear. The logic was simple: strike Akpabio, the shepherd, and the sheep would scatter.

    Before the unsuspecting public, a mere seating issue has now mushroomed into a web of accusations—sexual harassment, assassination plots, and shadowy threats—all conveniently aimed at one man. When we uncover the lies, she changes the script—hoping the audience forgets the plot.

    This is a textbook case of “Give a dog a bad name and hang it.” The goal is to destroy Akpabio’s public image. First, he allegedly harassed her. Then, he sidelined her. What next? That he plans to privatize the oxygen Nigerians breathe?

    Let us be clear: the Natasha debacle is a scripted drama to paint Akpabio as a villain and a threat to democracy. Ultimately, the goal is to weaken the Senate leadership. But Nigerians are not being fooled—and many already see through the charade. History has taught us that in politics, those who cry the loudest often have the most to hide.

    This episode is not about justice, democracy, or the protection of women—it is about power. Senator Natasha Akpoti, who has previously accused several men of sexual misconduct, is a well-placed pawn in a political chess game. Akpabio is simply the collateral victim. The true aim is to erode Tinubu’s support base and pave the way for an opposition comeback in 2027.

    Those who cannot see this are either naive or willing accomplices in the drama.

    Akpabio, for all his human flaws, remains a political heavyweight whose loyalty to Tinubu is unshaken. And that is his real crime. If Natasha truly sought justice, she would not wage a media war in harmony with those who lost at the ballot and now hope to win through chaos.

    As the Yoruba wisely say, “The rat cannot claim innocence when found near the pot of soup.”

    The motives are transparent. The cast is clear. The only question is whether Nigerians will fall for the performance or stay focused on the real issues.

    To Senator Akpabio, I say: take heart. The storm may rage, the winds may howl—but the tree with deep roots does not fear the tempest, and the eagle does not flinch at the storm. History is rarely kind to the mob—but it always remembers the man who stood tall when it was easier to fall.

    • Dr Daika is a Political Communication strategist based in the Plateau
  • Akpabio dismisses allegation of masterminding removal of five senators from Senate

    Akpabio dismisses allegation of masterminding removal of five senators from Senate

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio has denied allegations by former Adamawa North Senator, Ishaku Elisha Abbo, that he masterminded the removal of five senators from the 10th Senate.

    Abbo, who was sacked by the Appeal Court, made the claim during an interview on Channels Television, accusing Akpabio of running the Senate like a personal empire and targeting lawmakers who opposed him.

    In his response, Akpabio, through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, dismissed the allegations, stating that he would not be distracted by unfounded accusations.

    In the statement titled: “Re: Baseless allegations by Mr Elisha Abbo against the President of the Senate” Eyiboh said the Senate President would remain focused on the noble task of nation-building and providing purposeful leadership in the Senate…”

    The statement reads: “The attention of the Office of the President of the Senate has been drawn to another round of spurious and malicious accusations by Mr. Elisha Abbo, who unlawfully represented Adamawa North Senatorial District save a judicial intervention.

    “He has again sought to blame the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, for the travail of his judicial sanction that occasioned his ouster from the Senate.

    “It is sad and regrettable that despite publicly retracting a similar allegation in 2023—after admitting that his earlier accusation was ‘premature and based on the available information at our disposal’ – Mr. Abbo has once again embarked on a campaign of misinformation and blame transfer.

    “Following a discussion with the Senate President last year, Mr. Abbo himself acknowledged that Senator Akpabio had ‘no involvement’ in the judicial process that led to his removal.

    “It is puzzling that he would now return to the same baseless allegations he once renounced.

    Read Also: Natasha’s flurry of allegations won’t distract Akpabio, says spokesman

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the Court of Appeal, after a thorough legal process, ruled unequivocally that Mr. Abbo’s presence in the Red Chamber was in error.

    “The court determined that he was not validly elected as the Senator for Adamawa North, and consequently, he was removed.

    “The court acted in accordance with the extant laws and the Constitution within its sacred duty to uphold the rule of law. Senator Akpabio, a seasoned lawyer and democrat, holds the independence of the judiciary in the highest regard and would never interfere in its processes.

    “It is therefore both illogical and irresponsible for Mr. Abbo to now turn around and allege that the Senate President influenced a court judgment – a judgment which he himself accepted at the time and for which he expressed contrition for his earlier unfounded claims. (see Punch newspaper of 18th October, 2023)

    “Mr. Abbo has also sought to create the impression that he was unjustly denied official benefits following his ouster.

    “He claims entitlement to salaries, allowances, and even an official vehicle, despite the court’s declaration that his tenure was null and void ab initio.

    “In matters of financial and administrative processing, it must be stated that the Senate President only approves payments that have been duly vetted and forwarded by the appropriate administrative units, in line with extant laws, Senate procedures, and standard due diligence practices.

    “If any of Mr. Abbo’s claims for payment did not reach the desk of the Senate President, it is because they failed to meet these lawful standards – not because of any personal or political vendetta.

    “It is unfortunate that instead of accepting the consequences of his legal and political failings, Mr. Abbo continues to resort to media theatrics and reckless finger-pointing.

    “Even more telling is his record of public conduct. Nigerians will recall that in 2019, he was caught on video assaulting a female citizen in Abuja – an incident for which he was ordered by a competent court to pay N50 million in damages.

    “This is a matter of public record and speaks volumes about his temperament and disposition.

    “His recent outbursts about unpaid travels and imagined plots further reinforce the conclusion that his actions are driven not by facts or principle, but by bitterness and desperation to remain politically relevant.

    “These claims are not only baseless, but they reek of grievance and a refusal to accept personal responsibility for his removal and loss of public trust.

    “Senator Godswill Akpabio remains focused on the noble task of nation-building, providing purposeful leadership in the Senate, and strengthening democratic institutions – especially the independence of the judiciary.

    “He will not be distracted by the antics of individuals who seek to rewrite history to mask personal failures.

    We urge Mr. Abbo to reflect deeply, respect the rule of law, and focus on rebuilding the confidence of his constituents if he hopes to return to public life.

    “Nigeria’s democracy can only thrive when its actors show maturity, responsibility, and an abiding respect for the truth.”

  • Natasha’s flurry of allegations won’t distract Akpabio, says spokesman

    Natasha’s flurry of allegations won’t distract Akpabio, says spokesman

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio will not be distracted by allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, his spokesman said yesterday.

    Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is on suspension over alleged misconduct, had told a crowd in Kogi State on her return from abroad that Akpabio plotted with Governor Usman Ododo and his predecessor, Yahaya Bello to eliminate her.

    She claimed: “On 12th of March, Akpabio spoke to Governor Ododo to recall me. But he told him it would be impossible because the masses are with her, the people are with her.

    “But Akpabio was not satisfied. He then sent for Yahaya Bello and it was Senator Asuquo who picked him to the venue of the meeting.

    “The meeting was in two-fold. They told him to commence my recall and that he was going to fund it.

    “Of course, money changed hands that night. The second thing was that he should try and kill me. I didn’t make this public, but I wrote to the police.

    “He told him that he should make sure that killing me does not happen in Abuja. It should be done here (Okehi) so it would seem as if it was the people who killed me here.”

    Special Adviser to the Senate President on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, said Akpabio would not be distracted.

    He added that the onus was on the Kogi Central Senator to prove her allegations.

    Eyiboh told our reporter: “My reaction simply is that whoever alleges must prove. That is simple. That is trite in law.

    “The principle of law is that whoever alleges must prove.”

    Read Also: ‘Tiger Base’

    On whether the Senate President would sue, Eyiboh said: “For now, the Senate President is assiduously working together with his colleagues to collaborate with the executive to give Nigeria renewed hope.

    “I’m saying that the SP is not going to come down and begin to get distracted.

    “What he’s concentrating on now is collaborating with his colleague senators for a constructive collaboration with the executive and other arms of government to give Nigeria Renewed Hope.”

    Also yesterday, Kogi Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of inciting violence during her homecoming.

    Speaking on TV, he said: “This was aimed at inciting her people and also eliciting reactions from the supporters of the other principal actors.

    “If they had reacted, that would have led to a lot of bloodshed.”

    The commissioner defended the government’s decision to ban rallies, saying it was necessary to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

    Fanwo noted that despite the heightened tensions, peace was ultimately maintained in the state.

  • Akpabio not distracted by Natasha’s alleged assassination plot, says spokesman 

    Akpabio not distracted by Natasha’s alleged assassination plot, says spokesman 

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio will not be distracted by allegations of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan during her Sallah rally in Okehi, Kogi State, on Tuesday.

    Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan who is suspended from the Senate over alleged misconduct, had told the crowd that attended the rally that Akpabio has plotted with Kogi Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and his predecessor, Yahaya Bello  to allegedly eliminate her.

    Akpoti-Uduaghan had alleged: “On 12th of March, Akpabio spoke to Governor Ododo to recall me. But he told him it will be impossible because  the masses are with her, the people are with her. 

    “But Akpabio was not satisfied. He then sent for Yahaya Bello and it was actually Senator Asuquo who picked him to the venue of the meeting.

    “I was informed of everything. And when they got to him, the meeting was in two fold. They told him to commence my recall and that he was going to fund it.

    “Of course, money changed hands that night. The second thing he told him was that he should try and kill me. I didn’t make this public, but I wrote to the police.

    “He told him that he should make sure that killing me does not happen in Abuja. It should be done here (Okehi) So it should seem as if it was the people that killed me here.

    “I didn’t make it public, but we did notify the security agencies of that.”

    The Special Adviser to the Senate President on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, in his reaction to the allegation during a telephone interview with our Correspendent, said Akpabio would not be distracted by the allegations.

    Read Also: Hold Akpabio, Ododo, Bello responsible for violence during my Sallah visit, says Natasha

    He added that the onus lies on the Kogi Central Senator to prove her allegations.

    Eyiboh said: “My reaction simply is that whoever alleges  must prove. That is simple. That is trite in law.  The principle of law is that whoever alleges must prove.”

    On whether the Senate President would sue Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for false accusation, Eyiboh said: “But for now, the SP is assiduously working together with his colleagues Senators  to collaborate, synergize with the executive to give to Nigeria renewed hope.

    “I’m saying that the SP is not going to come down and begin to get distracted. What he’s concentrating on now is collaborating with his colleagues senators for a constructive collaboration with the executive and other arms of government to give Nigeria Renewed Hope.”

  • Group recommends legal action against Atiku over comments on Akpabio

    Group recommends legal action against Atiku over comments on Akpabio

    A group, Niger Delta Conscience Coalition (NDCC), is seeking legal action against former Vice president Atiku Abubakar for accusing the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio of corruption and abuse of women.

    In a statement on Tuesday by the President, Aniefiok Fabian and secretary, John Adangu Dagogo, the NDCC urged Akpabio to consider legal actions against Atiku, describing the former VP’s comments as defamatory and inexcusable.

    The statement reads in parts: “Niger Delta Conscience Coalition is deeply alarmed by the reckless descent of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar into baseless defamation against the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

    ‘It is regrettable that Atiku, out of sheer political frustration, has resorted to making cheap, wild and unfounded allegations against the President of the Senate, accusing him of corruption and abuse of women during his tenure as Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

    “His unfounded claims that Senator Akpabio is corrupt and abused women during his tenure as Governor of Akwa Ibom State are nothing but a shameless smear campaign, lacking a shred of evidence, specificity, or substance. Atiku’s tirade is a disgraceful attempt to railroad lies into public consciousness, all in service of his selfish perennial political agenda”.

    The group said that Atiku does not possess the moral credentials to accuse Akpabio or anyone of corruption having himself being enmeshed in series of corruption cases while serving as vice president.

    “Alhaji Atiku Abubakar does not possess the moral credentials to criticize or condemn Senator Godswill Akpabio over alleged corruption and abuse of women, especially when these wild allegations, like so many we have seen in recent times, have no shred of proof, worst still coming from a man who is “haunted by corruption demons”, to borrow the words of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the diminutive former Governor of Kaduna State. 

    “Atiku, a former customs officer turned vice president, presided over the scandalous sale of a $3.2 billion national asset for a measly $250 million, a “mistake” he himself admitted, only to emerge inexplicably wealthy, bankrolling every of his never-ending presidential bid since 1999 with such financial muscle that is surprising of a custom staff.

    “His own boss, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, exposed him in My Watch (Volume 2, pages 31-32), branding him as a man of “propensity to corruption,” “disloyalty,” “poor judgment,” and a “readiness to sacrifice morality, integrity, propriety, truth, and national interest” for personal gain. 

    “Given such a scathing indictment from someone who worked closely with him for eight unbroken years, Atiku Abubakar is the last person who should be pontificating on issues of corruption or even morality let alone making baseless allegations against anyone for that matter. His attempt to lecture Nigerians on integrity is not only laughable but also an insult to the collective memory of the nation.

    “NDCC sees through the charade and notes the growing desperation of Atiku Abubakar and his cohorts, who have been orchestrating baseless allegations of sexual harassment against the Senate President in a bid to destabilize the Senate leadership. 

    “Their tactics are now clear and the masks are off, and the real players behind this smear campaign are finally showing their shameless faces. It has always been about 2027 politics, and their willingness to destroy institutions and malign individuals for political gain is both reckless and shameful. 

    “But their schemes, as usual, will fail. Senator Akpabio and the Senate leadership should remain steadfast and focused on supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through robust legislation and oversight to deliver prosperity to Nigerians.

    “It is also curious that Atiku Abubakar’s misplaced and selective outrage on the unanimous approval by the National Assembly of Mr. President’s decision on the Rivers State political crisis is directed solely at the Senate President. 

    ‘He claims to oppose the National Assembly’s unanimous support for the President’s decisions on Rivers State, backed by members of his own party in the Assembly, yet directs his miguided venom solely at the Senate President! 

    Read Also: Atiku’s attack on Akpabio a 2027 agenda against Tinubu, says group

    ‘Why is it always Senator Akpabio who is the target of these puerile and unwarranted attacks? Is it a mere coincidence, or is there an orchestrated scheme to vilify and undermine him for sinister reasons?  Nigerians should take note”, the statement added.

    The group advised Atiku to save his energy and resources for another episode of his serial presidential aspiration in 2027, rather than engaging in baseless character assassination. 

    The statement further reads: “The Senate President is encouraged to consider legal options against Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and remain committed to his role and not be distracted or deterred by gimmicks. 

    ‘If anything, the Senate President should further dedicate himself to ensuring that his leadership of the Senate, for which he has suffered several needless attacks on his person, will, in collaboration with President Tinubu, coincide with the turnaround in the well-being and prosperity of Nigeria and all Nigerians”.

  • Atiku’s attack on Akpabio a 2027 agenda against Tinubu, says group

    Atiku’s attack on Akpabio a 2027 agenda against Tinubu, says group

    The Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District Professionals (IK-PRO) has condemned former Vice president Atiku Abubakar for accusing the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio of corruption and abuse of women.

    In a statement on Tuesday by the national President, Mr.Edidiong John and National Secretary, Mr.Kemfon Neke, the group said that Atiku’s accusations have political undertone.

    According to the IK-PRO, the former Vice president was executing a larger political agenda to discredit the Senate President and the President Bola Tinubu’s administration ahead of the 2027 election.

    It said that Atiku’s defamatory comments against Akpabio lack proofs and expressive of his political frustrations following his serial presidential election losses.

    The statement reads in parts: “Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in his recent remarks, baselessly accused the Senate President of corruption and alleged that he had a history of abusing women during his tenure as Governor of Akwa Ibom State. 

    “However, he failed to provide any specific details or reference any pending corruption charges against Senator Akpabio. Likewise, he did not cite any verifiable incidents of abuse to support his outrageous claims. Instead, he resorted to reckless falsehoods, seemingly in a desperate bid to tarnish the Senate President’s reputation ahead of the 2027 elections.

    “It is ironic that such accusations emanate from a man whose own past is riddled with serious credibility concerns. The former customs officer turned politician, who amassed enormous wealth, enabling him to contest every presidential election since the advent of the Fourth Republic, has a questionable record. 

    “More damningly, his former boss, President Olusegun Obasanjo, detailed his moral and ethical shortcomings in his book, My Watch, Volume 2 (pages 31-32). 

    “Obasanjo described Atiku Abubakar as having “a propensity to corruption,” “a tendency to disloyalty,” “an inability to say and stick to the truth all the time,” “a propensity for poor judgment,” “a belief and reliance on Marabouts,” “a lack of transparency” among others”.

    Further the statement said: “Given such an unflattering verdict from one who had the closest view of Atiku Abubakar’s tenure, it is preposterous for him to pontificate about corruption in Nigeria or anywhere else in the world. His moral authority on the subject is nonexistent.

    “Furthermore, the former Vice President’s recent diatribe has unmasked the forces behind the baseless allegations aimed at destabilizing the Senate and its leadership. 

    “The coordinated attacks, including false accusations of sexual harassment, have always been politically motivated and are now fully exposed as part of a larger agenda for 2027. It is unfortunate that some politicians are willing to go to any lengths, including fabrications and character assassination, to advance their ambitions.

    “Despite these attempts at distraction, the Senate under Senator Akpabio remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the enactment of quality legislation and robust oversight. The focus remains on advancing national development and delivering prosperity to Nigerians.

    Read Also: Too late for Atiku to buy character, integrity – Wike 

    “IK-PRO also notes with concern Atiku Abubakar’s selective outrage over the National Assembly’s unanimous decision on the Rivers State issue. The decision, which received overwhelming support from lawmakers across party lines in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, is now being singularly blamed on Senator Akpabio. 

    “Curiously, the former Vice President has not directed similar criticism toward the Speaker of the House of Representatives, a fellow northerner, who also presided over the unanimous resolution. This selective targeting of Senator Akpabio, a southern leader, is both suspicious and troubling.

    ‘IK-PRO calls on Nigerians to recognize the consistent pattern of attacks aimed at destabilizing the leadership of prominent southern politicians. It is no coincidence that figures like Atiku Abubakar frequently engage in these calculated efforts to disrupt governance when competent southern leaders are at the helm.

    ‘We urge the former Vice President to reserve his political maneuvers for the 2027 elections and allow the Senate President to focus on the crucial legislative duties necessary to support President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda. Nigeria needs statesmanship, not baseless mudslinging and political mischief”.