National
‘Natasha Was Wrong About Seating Arrangement, But She Once Told Me About Meeting Akpabio In Hotel’, Kingibe Reveals
The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe, has stated that her Kogi Central counterpart, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, was wrong by not adhering to Senate rules about seating arrangement in the Red Chamber.
She, however, noted that before things went south between Natasha and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Kogi Central Senator had enjoyed more privileges than other three female Senators in the Senate.
Elanza news reports that Natasha, who featured on Arise News breakfast programme, ‘The Morning Show’ on Friday morning, claimed that her continuous faceoffs with Akpabio began after she rejected his alleged sexual advances.
However, speaking in an interview on Arise News Friday afternoon, Senator Ireti Kingibe, who serves as the Senate Chairperson for Women Affairs Committee, remarked that the four female Senators share a close bond and that she considered Natasha as a daughter due to their age difference.
However, she criticised Natasha for not adhering to Senate rules, noting that seat changes have affected other lawmakers as well.
“The day in question, I was not in the Senate. When I came out, my driver told me there was a problem in the Senate. As soon as I heard her name, as I always do with everything that concerns her, I promptly called her,” Kingibe said.
“She tried to explain about seating, but she had not given me the proper explanation before she said she’d call me back. Till today, Senator Natasha has not called me. I have a smartphone; before I called Senator Natasha’s husband, I had called her twice without a response.
“He said she went to Singapore; maybe that’s why. And then I said to him, this is not the way things should happen.”
Kingibe explained that although the Senate was “not gender-friendly,” it has made significant improvements.
“The truth is that the Senate is not gender-friendly, but it has been improving—much better than when we first entered the Senate. I must say, when we make a fuss and draw the attention of the Senate President, he does correct it.
“Truly, the Senate can do better than it’s doing, but there’s hardly anything that has been done to us that’s not done to other men.
“It’s more appropriate to say that the Senate is not opposition-friendly.
“The truth is, Senator Natasha has gotten the most privileges among all four of us (female senators). The seat I sit on now has been moved four times.”
Kingibe also defended the silence of the other female Senators, explaining that they chose not to speak publicly against Natasha.
“The reason why you hear that the three (remaining) women in the Senate are being silent. yes, because silence is golden, especially when one of us is not following the rules. And as women, we did not want to come out publicly to say anything negative about her, and we were hoping all of this would blow over, as a lot of things do.”
On the allegations of sexual harassment, Kingibe distanced herself, stating that she is not close enough to Akpabio to discuss such matters.
“Whether there’s sexual harassment between them, they already had a personal relationship before they came to the Senate. Three of us had no relationship with Senator Akpabio before we came.
“I don’t have enough of a relationship with Senator Akpabio to discuss sexual harassment with him. When I go to the Senate and my neighbours or Senator Natasha are not there, I collect documents on their behalf.
“I collected documents for Senator Natasha. I called her, and she said she was home. I went to her house. I got there, and after offering a meal, she told me she was supposed to discuss something with him, and he said he would meet her in some hotel.
“I said to her, ‘You only meet the Senator in offices.”
The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, has called on citizens to offer prayers for the country’s armed forces and security agencies as they continue their fight against insecurity.
His appeal comes at the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a time of fasting, reflection, and devotion for millions of Nigerians.
In a statement released on Friday by his Special Assistant on Media, Ahmad Dan-Wudil, the minister underscored the need for divine intervention in addressing Nigeria’s persistent security challenges.
He urged religious leaders, community heads, and all citizens to dedicate prayers for the safety and success of security personnel.
The call for prayers follows ongoing efforts by the military and other security agencies to combat insurgency, banditry, and other forms of violent crime across the country. Several regions, particularly the North, have witnessed increasing attacks by armed groups, leading to concerns about national stability.
Matawalle acknowledged the sacrifices made by the armed forces in safeguarding lives and property, stressing that their efforts deserve both moral and spiritual support from Nigerians.
“Our security forces work tirelessly to ensure our safety. As we observe this sacred month, let us remember them in our prayers,” he said.
The minister also highlighted the federal government’s commitment to enhancing security measures, including increased funding, better equipment, and improved welfare for personnel
However, he noted that beyond physical efforts, divine guidance and intervention remain crucial in overcoming the country’s security threats.
Meanwhile,religious leaders and scholars have welcomed Matawalle’s call for prayers, describing it as a timely appeal.
Zamfara State former Governor also encouraged Nigerians to use the Ramadan period to seek peace, unity, and progress for the country.
As Ramadan progresses, the Defence State minister expressed hope that the nation will witness improvements in security and stability.
He reiterated the need for national unity and cooperation in addressing the challenges facing Nigeria.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has reacted to the Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday, which nullified the local government elections in Rivers State and affirmed the legitimacy of the 27-member Rivers State House of Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule.
Speaking in Abuja, Wike described the ruling as a victory for democracy, stating that it has effectively ended the reign of impunity in Rivers State.
Wike also criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, for supporting what he described as lawlessness in Rivers State.
He insisted that Governor Siminalayi Fubara has no option but to obey the Supreme Court’s verdict, adding that the ruling invalidates all of Fubara’s decisions and appointments since the political crisis in the state began.
“I have always said that the wheel of justice is sluggish, but it will come when it will come. More than 15, 16 months, this matter has been laid to rest by the highest court of the land. The only thing that can happen now is for anybody unhappy to appeal to God—if there is an opportunity to appeal to God,” Wike said.
‘No Such Thing as an Amaewhule Faction’
When asked about the court’s recognition of the Amaewhule-led Assembly, Wike dismissed any notion of a divided legislature, stating:
“There is nothing like an Amaewhule faction. The Supreme Court has made it clear that you cannot have a democracy without a legislature. It is unheard of that three people will constitute an assembly to make laws for an entire state. It has nothing to do with personal preferences; the fact remains that three lawmakers cannot run a government.”
Wike condemned Governor Fubara for attempting to govern without a legitimate legislature, arguing that the state’s budget must be presented to the duly recognized 27-member Assembly.
“A governor demolished the House of Assembly building and acted as if nothing happened. Then he moved the Assembly to his residence, where three lawmakers sat to pass laws and approve an appropriation bill. This level of impunity is unacceptable.”
The FCT Minister maintained that the Supreme Court’s ruling has effectively dismantled Governor Fubara’s government, stating that:
All appointments, including commissioners, are nullified.
No funds should be released to the state government without proper budgetary approval.
The governor must now operate within the confines of the law.
“The Supreme Court has now ruled that the Central Bank and the Accountant General must not release any funds to the Rivers State Government until the budget is properly presented to the 27-member Assembly. Without an approved budget, the government has no legal basis to spend money,” Wike said.
He also mocked Atiku and Bala Mohammed, urging them to remain consistent in their support for Governor Fubara.
“People like Atiku were praising Fubara when he defied the law. I hope they will also hail him today. The chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum should also applaud him today. The Supreme Court has now silenced all of them.”
Wike warned Governor Fubara against disobeying the Supreme Court ruling, reminding him that any further defiance could lead to anarchy in the state.
“All his commissioners and his so-called attorney general—they are gone. They never existed in the first place. I am sure the so-called attorney general knows that he is no longer in office.”
According to Wike, Fubara has committed several constitutional violations that justify impeachment, including:
Spending the 2024 budget without legislative approval.
Appointing commissioners without Assembly confirmation.
Demolishing the state House of Assembly building.
“Who spends trillions of Naira without a legislative appropriation? What greater constitutional infraction is there than this? If the Rivers State Assembly decides to impeach him, what can the Chief Judge—who has been supporting him—do now? The Supreme Court has ruled that there was no budget. Even if the Assembly wants to begin impeachment proceedings, there is nothing anyone can do about it,” Wike said.
Despite these infractions, Wike stated that he would not advise the lawmakers to impeach the governor.
With the Supreme Court ruling, Wike declared that Rivers State must now return to constitutional order and put an end to political impunity. He urged Fubara to align with the law and work with the recognized House of Assembly to move the state forward.
President Bola Tinubu has asked the Muslims in the country to use the Ramadan fasting season to pray for Nigeria’s growth and development.
In a statement on Friday, Tinubu said the Ramadan season “coincides with a period of renewed hope and progress for our nation”.
The president said his administration policies have started yielding “positive results,” noting that the country is witnessing “gradual stabilisation”.
Tinubu added that the foreign exchange rate has started “stabilising” and prices of food items are “now downward”.
“This year’s Ramadan holds special significance as it coincides with a period of renewed hope and progress for our nation,” the statement reads.
“Our administration’s bold and transformative policies are beginning to yield positive results, as evidenced by the gradual stabilisation of our economy.
“The Gross Domestic Product for the last quarter of 2024 showed a marked improvement over the same period in 2023.
“The once-soaring prices of essential food items are now downward, providing much-needed relief to our fasting population and all Nigerians. The exchange rate is stabilising, and fuel prices are declining, signalling a brighter future.
“As the wet season approaches, we remain steadfast in boosting agricultural productivity.
“We are determined to enhance food production and ensure self-sufficiency and food security for all Nigerians through targeted input support, mechanisation, and innovative farming initiatives.
“In this sacred month, I call on all Nigerians to join hands in prayer and action for our beloved country’s continued growth and development.
“Let us fervently seek Allah’s guidance and protection for our nation, and let our words and deeds reflect our shared commitment to peace, unity, and progress.”
Ramadan is a significant month in Islam, during which Muslims fast from dawn to dusk.
The Ramadan fasting period in Nigeria lasts 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the moon, as per the Islamic lunar calendar.
Some minutes ago, Muhammad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto, announced the sighting of the crescent moon for the commencement of Ramadan fasting on Saturday.