Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has forwarded a letter to the House of Assembly proposing next week, Wednesday, March 19, for the re-presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill.

In the letter of March 13 personally signed by him and addressed to Speaker  Martins Amaewhule, the governor recalled his failed visit to the Assembly Wednesday to present the bill in line with the judgement.

He said the presentation of the budget could not take place because he and his entourage were denied access the Legislative Quarters temporarily servicing as the Assembly complex despite the prior delivery of a soft copy of the notice to the Speaker after the Clerk failed to accept the hard copy.

He further recalled that before the unfortunate incident, the Assembly had issued him a 48-hour ultimatum to present the bill, although he was yet to be served the certified true copy of the judgment.

The complaint laid by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan at the United Nations Inter parliamentary conference in New York on Tuesday has continued to attract reactions.

The Kogi Lawmaker had taken her case before the global institution for them to prevail over what she says is an injustice meted on her.

After listening to her complaint, the IPU told Senator Natasha that it will take necessary steps to address the complaints she brought to the union after listening to the other side.

The Nigerian Senate has however replied to Senator Natasha’s complaint to the IPU through a letter by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.

The letter was read by the Chairperson of the House of Representatives committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Honorable Kafilat Ogbara, who is attending the event in an official capacity representing Nigeria.

The Senate letter read in part, “Senator Natasha-Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for gross misconduct and unruly behaviour and not as a result of allegation of sexual harassment or assault.

The authority of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria firmly refutes the deliberate misinformation and false narrative being circulated by certain media organisations regarding the sixth months suspension of Senator Natsaha-Akpoti-Uduaghan.

“Let it be unequivocally stated that Uduaghan was suspended solely for her persistent act of misconduct and disregard for the Senate Standing Orders.”

Honourable Ogbara, however, called for a thorough investigation into the allegation by Senator Natasha against the Senator President, Godswill Akpabio.

She maintained that procedures and necessary actions under the Senate rules were observed before Senator Natasha’s suspension.

Last week, the Senate suspended the lawmaker in a move that has continued to generate debates across the country.

She had initially submitted a petition to the Senate accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment. But the lawmakers threw it out before suspending her even after submitting another petition.

Senator Natasha vowed to continue the fight against “injustice”.

But in the wake of the suspension, Akpabio denied the accusations and maintained he has never assaulted women.

Her altercation with the Senate president started on February 20, 2025, after her seat was changed during plenary.

That is not the first time both individuals had issues. In July 2024, Akpabio had while trying to correct her for misconduct told her to follow the rules and that the Senate is not a nightclub where anybody can talk anyhow.

The Akwa Ibom lawmaker, however, later apologised to her for the remark.

President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to meet with the Lagos State House of Assembly, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Already, the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, arrived at about 2:50 pm, while his colleagues had earlier arrived in two coaster buses.

The meeting may not be unconnected with the recent leadership crisis in the State House of Assembly.

The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Obasa was impeached by some of his colleagues but he was later reinstated after the intervention of the political leaders especially the Governing Advisory Council, GAC.

Despite the Speaker’s reinstatement, it was gathered that the bad blood as a result of his impeachment is yet to be over.

Details later…