Politics
I’ll return to senate on Tuesday, says Natasha Akpoti after court judgment
- Senator representing Kogi central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, says she will resume her legislative duties in the red chamber on Tuesday.
Recall that on March 6, the senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months over alleged gross misconduct.
The decision followed the adoption of the report by the committee on ethics, privileges and public petitions after the Kogi senator’s altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had filed a suit before the Abuja federal high court seeking to stop the suspension.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Binta Nyako, the presiding judge, affirmed the power of the senate to suspend erring members, including the Kogi senator.
However, the court faulted the duration of her suspension, describing it as “overreaching” and “excessive”.
The judge said the relevant laws of the senate did not define the maximum duration for which a serving lawmaker can be suspended from office.
She held that since lawmakers are constitutionally required to sit for a total of 181 days in each legislative session, the six-month suspension imposed on Akpoti-Uduaghan effectively stripped her of the opportunity to carry out her legislative duties for nearly the entire session.
This, the judge noted, amounted to denying her constituents their right to representation.
“A senator is expected to represent her people,” the judge stated.
“I am of the view that the senate has the power to amend that rule,” Nyako said, adding that the senate “can and should” reconsider recalling the plaintiff back to office.
She also ordered the senator to pay a N5 million fine for violating a court order by publishing a satirical apology to Akpabio on her Facebook page.
Reacting to the court ruling, Akpoti-Uduaghan described the judgment as a victory.
“I thank you for your support. I am glad we are victorious today. We shall resume in the Senate on Tuesday by the grace of God,” the senator told her supporters.
Politics
Tinubu Woos Nigerian Youths At Rivers Rally
“It is left for you to use the weapon you have. And that weapon is the PVC. If you have not collected yours, please go ahead and collect it. Please. I beg you. I take God beg you,” Tinubu said.
• Tinubu speaking at a state reception held in his honour at the newly constructed Banquet Hall of ARISE Palm Resort in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, following the APC rally at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, on Friday, November 6, 2026.
President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerian youths to actively participate in the 2027 general elections.
He spoke during the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential rally in Rivers on Saturday.
The President said that the outcome of the 20Ralky27 elections would have significant implications for the future of young Nigerians.
Addressing the youths at the rally, the President said they had a responsibility to shape the country’s future through active participation in the electoral process.
“To the youth of Nigeria, I’m looking at you. This election is about you. It’s not about me. Your future depends on this election,” he said.
He urged those who had registered as voters but were yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to visit the appropriate collection centres, describing the voter card as an important instrument for determining the country’s leadership.
The President appealed to young Nigerians not to disregard the opportunity to participate in the electoral process, saying their votes would give them a voice in deciding the direction of the country.
“It is left for you to use the weapon you have. And that weapon is the PVC. If you have not collected yours, please go ahead and collect it. Please. I beg you. I take God beg you,” Tinubu said.
Politics
JUST IN: Court sacks Mark-led ADC, invalidates Atiku Abubakar’s nomination
A Federal High Court in Abuja has sacked the Senator David Mark-led executives of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and voided all actions taken by them on behalf of the party, including the nomination of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
In a judgment delivered on Thursday by Justice Peter Lifu, the court declared the Mark-led Caretaker Committee illegal. The committee had organised the primary that produced Atiku as the party’s flag bearer.
The court upheld a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, the party’s former National Deputy Chairman (North-East). Gombe challenged the process by which the Mark-led committee assumed control of the party. He argued that following the resignation of former National Chairman Chief Ralph Nwosu, he was next in line to lead the ADC and sought the nullification of all actions taken under Mark’s leadership.
Defendants in the suit are the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Senator David Mark, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Chief Ralph Nwosu.
Politics
2027 Elections Campaign: NDC Reacts To Today’s Attack On Peter Obi in Cross River
No one should imagine that power can be seized through threats, intimidation and attacks rather than earned through the democratic will of the people.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) National Presidential Campaign Council has strongly condemned the attack on the convoy of its Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, in Calabar today.
In a statement signed by Spokesperson, Dr. Chiogo Constance Ikokwu , the party referenced similar previous attack on Mr Obi in Benue, where while traveling along the Makurdi-Gboko federal highway near the Nigerian Air Force Base in Makurdi, Obi’s convoy ran into a full roadblock mounted by a mob, apparently planted there.
The NDC-PCC, therefore called on the relevant authorities, particularly the state government and security agencies in Cross River State to act decisively – investigate this attack, identify and prosecute the perpetrators.
“They must not look the other way or conduct themselves in ways that suggest tolerance or complicity in political violence. Silence and inaction only embolden perpetrators.
Dr Ikokwu emphasised that Nigeria belongs to all of us, and every Nigerian has the right to campaign, associate and participate in politics without fear of violence. .
The campaign council warned that NDC will not be intimidated, silenced or deterred by violence. No one should imagine that power can be seized through threats, intimidation and attacks rather than earned through the democratic will of the people.
This is a crucial election for Nigeria. Our democracy must not be held hostage by political violence.”
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