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.

In response to a viral video that sparked outrage on social media, the Lagos Waste Management Authority has clarified the wage structure of street sweepers.

The video, which featured a LAWMA worker claiming that sweepers were underpaid and had not received the promised minimum wage of ₦85,000, quickly gained traction and led to widespread public criticism.

The worker claimed that the sweepers were consistently receiving only ₦30,000, which was recently increased to ₦40,000 in February.

LAWMA, through a statement shared by a Special Assistant to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Social Media, Jibril Gawat, defended the street sweepers salaries and emphasised its commitment to the welfare of its workers.

The statement explained that the street sweeping programme is managed by LAWMA through private companies that engage sweepers under clearly defined contracts.

It added that the private firms are responsible for paying the workers directly, and as per the new minimum wage review, street sweepers are now earning ₦40,000 per month, while supervisors earn ₦50,000 which it said is proportionate to the four-hour daily shifts worked by the sweepers.

The statement partly read, “Street sweepers are engaged through private companies under structured contracts, with their responsibilities and entitlements clearly defined.

These private companies are responsible for directly paying their engaged sweepers.

“Following a recent wage review, sweeper salaries have been adjusted to align with the national minimum wage and are proportionate to their work schedule, which consists of four-hour daily shifts. Under this structure: Sweepers earn ₦40,000 per month. Supervisors earn ₦50,000 per month.”

LAWMA added that the wage increase was part of a broader effort to provide workers with financial stability while allowing flexibility for them to engage in other economic activities outside their assigned shifts.

The statement further outlined LAWMA’s commitment to improving the welfare of its workers, detailing several initiatives which included regular health and safety training, reclassification of sweeping routes for greater worker security, accident and emergency insurance coverage, and the provision of uniforms and work implements to maintain dignity and efficiency.

In the statement, the agency reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring they receive fair treatment in line with agreed standards and assured the public that any discrepancies in salary payments or violations of contractual agreements would be promptly investigated and rectified.

The agency also emphasised that the success of the street sweeping programme relies heavily on the dedication of the workers, and it remains committed to ensuring fair treatment and improved working conditions.

The Rivers State House of Assembly has set plans in motion to investigate the state Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, for alleged falsification of age.

The development comes amid ongoing political crisis in the state.

Recall that the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike and Governor Similayi Fubara have been engaged in a political rivalry over who controls the oil rich state.

Details later….