Category Nigeria News

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio was “dead on arrival,” according to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions.

On Wednesday, the committee raised legal and procedural concerns.

Senator Neda Imasuen, the committee’s chairman, cited Order 40 of the Senate Standing Orders during the inquiry session, claiming that Akpoti-Uduaghan signed the petition herself rather than receiving endorsement from another person, rendering it procedurally invalid.

Additionally, he noted that the court already had jurisdiction over the issues raised in the petition, making them sub judice and not relevant to the Senate’s.

Akpabio has, in addition, refuted the Kogi lawmaker’s claims that he was the subject of sexual harassment.

On February 20, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan, a representative for the Kogi Central Senatorial District, rejected the order of the Senate President.

Also Read: Shaibu Reacts to the Natasha-Akpabio Seat Dispute in “Not A Gender Issue.”

The female senator referred her to the senate disciplinary committee after the Akpabio-led upper legislative chamber received complaints about the senate president’s harassment and a N100bn alleged defamation lawsuit against him.

Akpabio apologized to Akpoti-Uduaghan for his remark about the female lawmaker in a nightclub in July 2024.

Senate Committee is shut down by Natasha Shun.

When the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct began its investigation into her alleged failure to adhere to Senate rules on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan was not present.

Senator Neda Imaseun, the committee’s chairman, expressed disappointment over her absence after waiting an hour. She is not there, sadly, and we waited. She will join us, the lawmaker said, “I hope she will join us before we finish this procedure.”

He claimed that the committee was carrying out its duties, citing that the committee had the authority to “deliberate on such matters” and that “every petition is referred to us by the entire Senate.” Senate Spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu presented the matter to us on February 25 in this instance, but nothing more or less.

A new Local Government (LG) poll will be conducted in the state on August 9, 2025, according to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

At a stakeholder meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 5, 2025, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, the chief Electoral Commissioner, made the announcement.

The Supreme Court’s decision on Friday, which declared the state’s October 5, 2024, election invalid, followed.

Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, assured the oil-rich state’s residents on Sunday that their administration would follow the Supreme Court’s order after a thorough examination of its Certified True Copy (CTC) copy.

Fubara revealed in a state broadcast on Sunday that he had spoken with his legal team about getting the CTC by Friday, March 7, 2025.

He emphasized that his administration will follow the law and is committed to upholding constitutional principles.

Following the Supreme Court’s ruling that invalidated the local government elections held on October 5, 2023, the governor also issued a command to the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to immediately appoint the governor to lead the state’s 23 local government councils.

Read more: Supreme Court Declares End to River Impunity, Says Wike.

The State Electoral Commission will conduct new elections until Fubara’s declaration stated that the civil servants would take control of everything.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other organizations were ordered by the Supreme Court to refrain from releasing funds to the Rivers State government until it explicitly disobeyed court orders in a new judgment on Friday.

The five-man panel of the court unanimously rejected Fubara’s cross-appeal challenging the legitimacy of the House of Assembly, which Martin Amaewhule presided over as the Speaker.

President Donald Trump’s request to freeze some $ 2 billion in foreign aid payments was rejected on Wednesday by a divided US Supreme Court.

The court upheld a lower court’s request to pay the administration for payments on contracts that have already been paid for in its first significant decision regarding a legal challenge to Trump.

The groundbreaking ceremony for First Bank’s new, iconic head office building in Eko Atlantic City, Lagos, was held on Wednesday.

Governors, senators, ministers, and industry captains were present at the event, along with Vice President Kashim Shettima, billionaire Aliko Dangote, and Femi Otedola.

The 40-storey project is supposed to be Nigeria’s tallest building, according to a bank spokesman, Olayinka Ijabiyi.

Due to its technologically advanced, eco-friendly, and sophisticated construction, which would set a new standard for Africa’s financial services sector, the statement said in part.

The groundbreaking ceremony, in his opinion, marked the start of a transformational journey that affirms the bank’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

According to him, the new corporate headquarters was created with sustainability in mind, with a green-certified building that lowers operating costs and positions FirstBank as a leader in sustainable banking practices.

Olusegun Alebiosu, the bank’s CEO, called the groundbreaking “a significant milestone” in the bank’s pursuit of excellence.

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Our new corporate structure, which embodies our commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, and sustainability, is envisioned as a world-class structure. We think that this development will be crucial in fostering Africa’s economic growth and development, bringing long-term value to all of our stakeholders, he said.

Femi Otedola, the chairman of FirstHoldCo, remarked, “Today’s gathering highlights the value of collaboration and support from various sectors in bringing our ambitious plans for the new headquarters to life. As we work together to make this vision a reality, we value the unwavering support of our customers and stakeholders.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mukhtar Muhammed and Adeladan Olarinre as new permanent secretaries to fill vacancies in the Federal Civil Service.

Eno Olotu, the director of information and public relations for the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), made this known in a statement released on Wednesday in Abuja.

Olarinre will represent Oyo State, and Muhammad will represent the region’s North-West geopolitical zone.

Olotu emphasized that the appointments were made in accordance with the administration’s commitment to excellence, competence, and meritocracy in the civil service.

She urged the new permanent secretaries to bring a wealth of their expertise and experience to their positions, which will advance the delivery of public services and advance the government’s development goals.

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To fill vacancies in various states and geopolitical zones, the federal government appointed eight new permanent secretaries from Abia, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Enugu, Gombe, Kebbi, Rivers, and Kaduna.

This builds on the eight permanent secretaries from the Southeast and South-South regions that were appointed in June 2024, including Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Jigawa, Ondo, Zamfara, and.

Didi Walson-Jack, the head of the Federation’s civil service, praised President Tinubu for his commitment to upholding accountability, meritocracy, and professionalism.

She claimed that the appointments show how committed the administration is to providing a competent and results-oriented public service that meets Nigerian standards.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has denied allegations of sexual harassment brought against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

He reacted to the allegations on Wednesday at the resumption of plenary in the Senate, after a week’s recess.

Dismissing the allegations, Senator Akpabio said, “At no time did I ever harass any woman. I was raised very well by my late single mother, and I have always upheld respect for women. I was even awarded the most gender-friendly governor in Nigeria”.

The Senate President, who said he had been inundated with calls on the matter since February 25, and that he was aware of the growing social media discourse, urged Nigerians, the media, and social media users to refrain from drawing conclusions and instead await the court’s decision on the matter.

READ ALSO: Senator Natasha Returns To Senate Amid Seat Controversy

However, immediately after his remarks, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan raised a petition under Order 40, accusing the Senate President of sexual harassment and abuse of office.

She requested permission to step forward and formally lay the petition before the chamber.

The Senate subsequently referred the petition to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, directing it to review the matter as soon as practicable.

The Senate was hit by controversy in February when a seat rearrangement escalated into a confrontation between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate President. The dispute over the seat has sparked tensions within the Senate, leading to the allegation of sexual harassment by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, and raising fresh concerns about decorum and conduct within the legislative body.

Senator Natasha, Husband Arrive In Senate Chamberhttps: //t. co/oCwdEsNiLQ pic. twitter.com/pWXRXnCxhp

On Wednesday, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan arrived at the Senate Chamber in the company of her husband amid the controversy.

In a brief but affectionate moment, the Senator shared a kiss with her husband before proceeding into the chamber to take her seat.