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Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan: We stand by recall process — Kogi Central constituents

Ebira indigenes have strongly condemned claims that the recall process against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the National Assembly, lacks majority support from the electorate.
Some indigenes from across the five local government areas of Kogi Central have reaffirmed their commitment to recalling the senator, citing the embarrassment she has allegedly caused the senatorial district—an issue they claim has now gained international attention.
In a statement issued on Thursday and jointly signed by Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulazeez Ibrahim, President of the Kogi Central Elites Forum, KCEF, and Prince Akerejola Johnson of Ogori/Magongo LGA, the constituents dismissed allegations that the recall exercise was manipulated or orchestrated by external forces.
“No one is sponsoring this recall. Our people are united in this cause. Historically, Ebiras cannot be deceived. What she has done has largely been propaganda.
“Even those of us who initially supported her on social media have withdrawn our support. We cannot compromise the integrity of our state and country for the self-serving, immature actions of a senator.
“A simple matter of refusing an assigned Senate seat should not have escalated into a national embarrassment with baseless allegations of ‘sexual harassment’, especially when all evidence points to blackmail. This is not who we are as Ebiras,” the statement read.
Addressing the disclaimer by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, regarding the recall process, the constituents clarified that INEC’s involvement comes later in the process.
“INEC has no official role until the signature collection phase is completed. We, the petitioners, are responsible for ensuring that the required threshold is met before formally presenting it for verification. That is when INEC steps in,” they stated.
They urged the public to disregard misleading narratives, emphasising that political statements often reflect individual biases and vested interests.
As Ebira people, we are determined to bring Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan back home. Perhaps, during her time here, she will gain a better understanding of the responsibilities of representing her constituents.
“Ordinarily, we would never tolerate intimidation of our daughter if she were in the right.
However, in this case, she disrespected the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which operates under clear rules, and introduced narratives previously unheard of in Senate history.
“We have conducted our investigations and know the truth. Lawmaking is not content creation, as many have suggested.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan must return home to learn the fundamentals of legislative representation,” the statement added.
This development follows allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which has further fuelled controversy within the National Assembly.
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FG clears 200,000 passport backlogs, pays ₦28bn debts — Tunji-Ojo

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, says the Federal Government has cleared over 200,000 unprocessed passport applications since he assumed office.
Tunji-Ojo also revealed that ₦28 billion in old debts have been paid off, all without extra funding from the government.
He made these announcements during the Access Bank Guest Lecture Series held in Lagos on Monday. He spoke on the topic, “Dare to Dream, Dare to Innovate,” and called for bold leadership, system reform, and the smart use of technology.
“Leadership is not about reacting to problems, it is about foreseeing and solving them before they occur. And for that, you must always ask: What is your purpose? How will you execute it? And when is the right time to act?” he said.
He explained how his ministry used innovation, technology, and planning to clear passport backlogs and debts. New systems like e-visa platforms, contactless passport renewals for Nigerians abroad, and advanced passenger tracking have been launched.
Speaking about Nigeria’s prisons, Tunji-Ojo said the correctional system is in bad shape.
He pointed out that more than 4,000 inmates are behind bars simply because they can’t pay fines as low as ₦50,000.
“This is not a legal crisis, it is a moral one. A society that punishes poverty more harshly than crime has lost its moral compass,” he said.
He added that the ministry is working with private donors to help release many of these non-violent prisoners, noting that it’s also pushing for reforms that focus on rehabilitation, not just punishment.
These include digital case tracking, vocational training in prisons, and partnerships to improve prison conditions.
“A correctional facility must correct, not condemn. Justice without dignity is injustice in disguise,” he said.
Access Holdings Chairman, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, praised Tunji-Ojo’s leadership.
“Innovation is not about big budgets, it is about big thinking,” he said, adding that the Minister’s work shows what real public service should look like.The event brought together business leaders, government officials, and experts from across the country.
It was part of Access Bank’s effort to spark national change through conversations about leadership and service.
In his final words, Tunji-Ojo urged everyone to live with purpose and pursue excellence.
“Let Access Bank not just be a financial institution, let it be a philosophy. Let Nigeria not just be a country of potential, let it be a nation of performance.
It is time to refine our genius, not just export it,” he said.
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JUST IN: Tinubu seeks NASS approval to borrow fresh $21.5m, other external borrowing plans

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has requested the National Assembly’s approval to secure external loans of $21.5 million and ¥15 billion as part of the federal government’s proposed 2025–2026 external borrowing plan.
Also, the request consists of a grant of €65 million to be included in the federal government’s external borrowing plan.
The president’s request was contained in a letter read by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during the plenary on Tuesday.
In the letter, Mr Tinubu said that the funds will be used to create employment, promote skill acquisition, enhance entrepreneurship, reduce poverty, and boost food security.
He emphasised that the proposed projects and programmes are designed to have a nationwide impact, spanning all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
This fresh loan comes as Nigeria’s total public debt stood at N144.7 trillion (approximately $94.2 billion), according to Debt Management Office December 2024 data.
A breakdown of the existing public debt showed that about 51.4 percent of the total (N74.4 trillion) is domestic debt, while 48.6 percent (N70.3 trillion) is external debt
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Lagos begins 2025 entrance exams for model colleges, upgraded junior schools

The Lagos State Government has commenced the 2025 entrance examination process for admission into its Model Colleges and Upgraded Junior Secondary Schools.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Director of the Lagos State Examinations Board, Mr Orunsolu Adebayo, informed parents, guardians, and head teachers that the Computer-Based Test, CBT, for qualified candidates will be held from Wednesday, May 28 to Thursday, May 29, 2025, across five designated centres within the state.
He urged all registered applicants to log into the board’s portal, https://examsboard.lagosstate.gov.ng, using their unique username and password to print out their examination slips and verify their sitting arrangements ahead of the test.
Candidates are expected to go to the examination venue with the exam slip (printout) and ensure that they arrive at the venue as early as possible,” he said.
Adebayo also clarified that only Primary Six pupils are eligible to sit for the exam, adding that this screening remains the sole gateway to admission into Lagos State’s Model Colleges and Upgraded Junior Secondary Schools.
“The Candidates that pass and meet the required cut-off marks will be offered admission into any of the Model Colleges and Upgraded Junior Secondary Schools irrespective of his/her First or Second choice,” he added.
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