Politics
PDP still party to beat, will overcome its challenges soon – Governors’ Forum
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has said the party remains a formidable force on the political landscape of Nigeria.
Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and Chairman of the forum stated this at the end of its meeting on Saturday in Jos.
Mohammed said that the party would soon overcome all its challenges, adding that the ‘minor setbacks’ would soon be over.
He called on lovers of PDP and Nigerians in general not to lose hope in the party.
“The forum notes the concerns of Nigerians, the founding fathers, elders and members of our great party about the seeming divisions within its rank and file.
“The forum, however, wishes to state categorically that it remains resolute in its determination to ensure unity and cohesion within the party.
“This is a party that Nigerians have come to trust as the best platform to provide democratic governance to all; it is still the party to beat,” he said.
The chairman also called on the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to convey a meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC), as part of measures to address its current wranglings.
He commended members of the National Assembly elected under the platform of the party for their contributions toward the growth of democracy.
Mohammed, however, called on the leadership of the assembly to critically interrogate all bills to ensure fairness, equity, national balance and even development.
The governor, who noted with deep concern the current economic crisis in the country, called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently review his administration’s macro-economic and fiscal policies to address the welfare and well-being of Nigerians.
While commending Gov. Caleb Mutfwang for hosting his colleagues in Plateau, Mohammed, however, commiserated with the government and people of the state over the recent fire outbreak at a wood market. (NAN)
… Says she was suspended for accusing Akpabio
… Inter-Parliamentary Union to look into her allegation
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central, has reported Senate President Godswill Akpabio to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
She spoke at the IPU meeting held at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Tuesday.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had accused Akpabio of making sexual advances towards her.
The allegation was preceded by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s outburst against Akpabio over the seating arrangement at the senate chamber.
She was suspended on March 6 over the seat reallocation altercation for six months.
At the IPU meeting, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she is seeking justice and intervention from international democratic institutions over what she terms an “unlawful suspension” from the Nigerian senate.
“I come with a heavy heart from Nigeria. But first, I will like to apologise to Hon. Kafilat Ogbara. I am not here to bring shame to our country, I am here to seek help for the women of Nigeria,” she told assembly.
“Five days ago, on the 6th of March 2025, I was suspended as a senator illegally because I submitted a petition of sexual harassment against the president of the Nigerian senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
“I thought by submitting the petition, he would recuse himself and both of us would submit ourselves to the committee of ethics, privileges and public petitions for a fair and transparent investigation.
“But unfortunately, I was silenced, and I was suspended for six months among many other stringent conditions, such as taking away my security, taking away all the official vehicles and other items that were handed over to me as a senator.
“My salary would be cut off. I must not appear anywhere near the national assembly. And for six months, I am not to present myself as a senator locally in Nigeria and internationally. I am here illegally, and I have no other place to go but to come here”.
She said her suspension is not just about her, but about the exclusion of women in political leadership in Nigeria.
“This is a clear case of political victimization, punishment for speaking out against impunity, corruption and gender-based violence,” she added.
The senate has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to restore the Aniocha north II state constituency in Delta state in compliance with the supreme court’s judgment in suit no. SC/129/2019.
The upper legislative arm also directed the electoral commission to conduct an election into the Aniocha north II state constituency in the next state house of assembly poll in Delta state.
The senate’s approval followed a motion sponsored by Ned Nwoko, the senator representing Delta north.
Speaking with journalists after the senate’s plenary on Tuesday, Nwoko said the constituency, comprising towns such as Idumuje-Unor, Idumuje-Ugboko, and others in Aniocha north LGA, was initially created in 1991 but was later delineated.
He said residents initiated legal action in 2014 to restore the constituency but was dismissed by the federal high court.
The senator noted that the suit was upheld in 2017 by the court of appeal and affirmed by the supreme court.
“I am glad that we have managed to pull it through because it was not as straightforward as people might think,” Nwoko said.
“But the fact remains that this was a supreme court judgment and we all respect supreme court judgments.
“On this particular matter, it has taken several stages from the court of appeal and then supreme court.
“INEC also wrote to us seeking our consent to implement the supreme court judgment. I don’t know why INEC should seek our consent, but that is exactly what happened.
“They sought our consent at the senate and house of reps to implement the supreme court judgement.
“I am happy that we got it right. There are so many of such matters across the country and I am sure they will take cue from this particular matter today.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the Senate to confirm the appointment of five nominees as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday, President Tinubu stated that the nominations were in line with Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers the president to appoint electoral commissioners subject to Senate approval.
The five nominees are: Umar Yusuf Garba – Kano; Saad Umar – Bauchi; Chukwuemeka C. Ibeziako – Anambra; Mohammad I. Ngoshe – Borno and Dr. Owede Kosioma Eli – Bayelsa.
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“In compliance with the provision of Section 154(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), I am pleased to forward for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of the following five (5) nominees as Resident Electoral Commissioners in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” the letter signed by the President read.
“While hoping that the Senate will consider and confirm the nominees in the usual expeditious manner, please accept Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
In another correspondence, President Tinubu sought confirmation for the nomination of Nwakuche Sylvester Ndidi as the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS). The nomination aligns with Section 3(1)(b) of the NCoS Act, 2019, which stipulates the appointment process for the agency’s leadership.
Tinubu urged the Senate to approve the nomination expeditiously, highlighting the critical role of the Correctional Service in Nigeria’s justice system.
The request has been forwarded to the Senate Committee on Interior to report back in one week.