Connect with us

News

ACF Calls For ‘Independent’ Probe Of Natasha’s Allegation Against Akpabio

Published

on

By Abubakar Yunusa

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called for an independent investigation into the sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central.

The conflict between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan began over a change in the seating arrangement in the senate chamber.

Akpoti-Uduaghan kicked against the new seating arrangement, claiming it was an attempt to silence her.

The dispute escalated on Friday when Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of making sexual advances towards her in his office and residence in Akwa Ibom.

In a statement issued on Sunday by Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the ACF spokesperson, the forum said the allegation portrays a negative impression of the “national and international image” of the senate.

“We call for an independent, open, transparent, and thorough investigation, devoid of fear, favour or interference of any kind, from any quarters to be conducted,” the statement reads.

“This will be necessary to allow the senate to return, as it should, to the serious and solemn duty of lawmaking for Nigeria at a period when citizens are being overwhelmed by dire existential living conditions on account of the impact of public policies on lives and livelihoods.”

ACF also called on the northern caucus in the senate, “to support Akpoti-Uduaghan so that she gets a fair hearing and ultimately accorded the treatment she duly deserves in the red chamber”.

The forum noted that the conflict between the duo is affecting the people of Kogi central.

“While the imbroglio lasts, the interests of the people of Kogi Central are not being adequately represented in the 10th Senate,” Muhammad-Baba said.

ALSO READ:  Republican Senator Vital to Health Bill’s Passage Won’t Support It

“While perhaps far-fetched, ACF rues the development and hopes that it is not part of the thinly veiled anti-Arewa agenda now pervading the Nigerian political process.

“In the event, ACF wonders if the unfolding events constitute a pattern or are cruel coincidences at work.”

The forum urged the leadership and members of the senate to always display exemplary behaviour in matters of ethics and moral qualities.

News

Sokoto APC Gives Governor Aliyu’s Scorecard, Calls Him A Worthy Ambassador 

Published

on

By ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto

The Sokoto State chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Monday gave a scorecard of governor Ahmed Aliyu’s performance thus far.

Addressing newsmen at the party’s Secretariat, the state chairman of APC, Alhaji Isa Sadiq Achida said they have no regrets marketing the governor as his achievements have vindicated Senator Wamakko and the APC in Sokoto

“”Many people voted for Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto with the benefit of the doubt. Many others voted him based on the credentials of his political mentor and the father of Sokoto politics, Distinguished Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, Sarkin Yamman Sokoto, Sarkin Yakin Sokoto””, the APC chairman noted.

The chairman however added that, he feels proud that Sokoto’s governor has turned out to be an excellent choice who has proven all critics wrong.

While reeling out the governor’s achievements in the areas of road constructions, health, economy, water supply, education, security, housing, human capital development and empowerment as well as electricity, the state APC chairman said, the governor Ahmed Aliyu’s led administration has performed better in less than two year compared to the entire 8 years of his predecessor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

Giving a roll down of the numerous completed and ongoing road as well as township beautification projects executed by governor Ahmed Aliyu, the state APC chairman added that, while his predecessor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal sold off all government houses and can not account for the money, governor Ahmed Aliyu in less than two years is
building a total of 1136 houses.

“This is made up of 500 at Gidan Salanke, 500 at Wajake, Wamakko Local Government and the 136 housing units purchased from the Federal Housing Authority”‘”.

ALSO READ:  Morocco Earthquake: Tinubu,Deputy Senate President Sympathize With King Of Morocco

Talking on security,  Isa Sadiq Achida admitted that despite  challenges affecting some local government areas, particularly in the Eastern Senatorial District, the governor Ahmad Aliyu’s administration is taken decisive steps to combat banditry and enhance public safety.

Continuing, Sadiq Achida mentioned some of the efforts in that regards to include, “‘Strengthening Security Operations with the procurement and distribution of over 140 patrol vehicles to security agencies to boost their mobility and response capabilities, establishment and equipping of the Community Guards Corps with essential operational tools and logistics to strengthen local security networks.

“”Also on the security challanges, the governor is taken proactive measures to help mitigate the effect of spillover external threats from neighboring states and the Republic of Niger” The APC chairman said.

 

 

 

Continue Reading

News

Rivers Govt tells NBA to refund N300m confab hosting rights

Published

on

The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has replied to the Nigerian Bar Association regarding the reason for relocating its Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu State.

Ibas faulted the reason cited by the NBA, describing it as misleading and uncharitable.

The statement partly reads, “While we respect the NBA’s right to choose its conference venues, we find it curious that the association—despite its “principled position”— didn’t address the refund of the N300 million already paid by the Rivers State Government for the hosting rights of the 2025 conference.

“If the NBA truly stands on principle, it should demonstrate the same integrity by promptly returning these funds rather than benefiting from a state it now publicly discredits.”

ALSO READ:  Natasha Allegation:Face Reality, Do The Right Thing, Saraki Tells Akpabio
Continue Reading

News

Tinubu urged to ignore calls for state of emergency in Zamfara

Published

on

An interest group, Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development (PAPSD), has urged President Bola Tinubu and lovers of democracy to ignore calls for declaration of a state of emergency in Zamfara.

The PAPSD Executive Director, Dr Sani Shinkafi, made the call in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Shinkafi was also the Patron of Bola Tinubu/Kashim Shettima Presidential Campaign Council in 2023.

He described the call by some groups which he referred as faceless as an agenda to distract Gov. Dauda Lawal from his Rescue Mission and destabilise the state.

The executive director said that the ‘reactionary forces’, blinded by parochial interests, had demonstrated ignorance of Nigerian constitution on the provisions for declaration of state of emergency in a state.

According to him, Zamfara does not fall in any of the constitutional provisions for removing the governor or declaring a state of emergency.

He urged politicians in the state to play by the rules, uphold democratic values, ideals and ethics, and eschew politics of bitterness capable of impeding the gains of Nigeria’s hard earned democracy.

Shinkafi noted that the army and other security agencies, supported by the governor, had fought armed banditry and had significantly improved security, public safety and order in Zamfara.

He noted that the improved security had paved the way for vigorous economic activities, social services and infrastructural development, all combined to provide dividends of democracy to citizens.

“This also includes the payment of ₦70,000 national minimum wage to civil servants and a promise to address the grey areas in the implementation of the national minimum wage to senior civil servants,’’ he said.

ALSO READ:  Returning Officer Declares Jaba LG Rescheduled Congresses Result

The executive director said if the intention of the groups and their sponsors was to distract the governor, they had failed woefully.

He urged all lovers of good governance in Zamfara to set aside petty politics and join hands with Lawal to transform the state and make it great again.

“The interest of the state supersedes individuals’ political ambitions.

“It is not yet time for partisan politics for the 2027 general elections.

“Everybody should calm down and contribute to building a better Zamfara State. It is time for patriotism, not antagonism,” he said. (NAN)

Continue Reading