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Senate Presidency: Northwest Political Group Insists On Sen. Jibrin, Rejects Deputy Senate Position
The Arewa Political Forum, has urged Sen. Barau Jibrin to vie for the position of President of the Senate, rejecting the call for him to run for deputy.
The group made the declaration after an emergency meeting on Sunday, in Kaduna.
The group said the north had already ceded the number one position to the south, therefore, it would not accept the position of the deputy in the senate.
”We sacrificed the number one position, and now they want us to let this go; it won’t happen,” Dr Abubakar Daura, Convener of the group told newsmen.
”We insist on Sen Barau Jibrin, not just because he is from the Northwest, but because he is the most competent among all the other candidates for the office of the President of the Senate.
”Jibrin is the highest-ranking, longest-serving legislator in the Senate, and deserves to be the next Senate President.
”He is also from the state that has supported the All Progressives Congress (APC), since inception, and gave the highest votes during the 2023 Presidential Election,” Daura said.
The group further dismissed the rumoured endorsement of Sen Goodswill Akpabio, by the President-Elect, Bola Tinubu, maintaining that the North must produce the 10th President of the Senate.
”Barau is the choice of the North and cannot decide on his own to accept the deputy position being offered him.
”It is beyond him, let us have the Senate Presidency as compensation for sacfriicing and conceding the number one position to the south.
”We are begging the president elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reciprocate our kind gesture to him and the south by endorsing and supporting Sen. Barau Jibrin.
It will be recalled that another group, Conference of APC Support Groups, had earlier called on Jibrin to run the position of President of the Senate, saying the Northwest had worked hard for the party and deserved the position.
”As it stands today, the All Progressives Congress (APC), will be in the majority in both chambers of the National Assembly, with 57 Senators-Elect and 160 Reps-Elect from the official results declared so far by INEC.
”The role of the National Assembly in enabling true democracy to thrive cannot be overemphasised.
”And so we the critical stakeholders of the APC believe that the party should not leave anything to chance in ensuring that all of those who worked for its success in the just concluded general elections are carried along.
”This is to avoid a reoccurrence of the 2015 scenario where some elected National Assembly members, on the platform of the APC, formed an unholy alliance with opposition parties and rocked the boat of the APC.
”The party must not, and never allow such unpleasant and retrogressive histories to be repeated,” the group insisted.
Also, Adamu Garba, a former APC presidential aspirant, said that if Jibrin was elected President, the North will further be assured of APC’s commitment to the Northwest and so would have its full support in subsequent elections.
”The Tinubu administration will have a baggage free 10th National Assembly, as it will have competent leadership with Jibrin at the top.
”This is a win-win for the APC, and Insha Allah, a smooth sail for Asiwaju upto 2027, this is reasonable, apt, political and commonsensical proposal,” Garba said.
The group therefore, expressed its belief in Jibrin as that a formidable candidate, who had all it would take to be the number three in the hierarchy of the country’s leadership,
”No doubt that the seat of the President of the Senate is a top position which wields a lot of influence, and one that holds the gavel to either make or mar the executive.
”This position must therefore be given only to a deserving party member, whose loyalty cannot be in doubt, and whose interest must be the success of the incoming APC government, and by extension, the growth and development of Nigeria.
”Therefore, looking at the achievements and antecedents of Sen. Barau Jubrin, unarguably one of the oldest legislators in the National Assembly, it will be safe to say he is the one that the cap fits.
”The emergence of Sen. Jubrin as President of the 10th Senate, will definitely complement the experience and willingness of the incoming President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the incoming Vice President Sen. Kashim Shetima to deliver on good governance to Nigeria and also help in building an enviable political party, with a strong structure, support and adequate compensation for loyal and hard working party members,” Daura said.
A National Youth Service Corp member, Rofiat Lawal, who was kidnapped along the Benin-Ore Expressway on Tuesday has regained freedom after her family paid a ransom of N1.1m.
ELANZANEWS reports that Lawal was kidnapped while en route to Ibadan, Oyo State from Benin, Edo State to resume at her place of primary assignment.
The abductors were said to have demanded an N20m ransom which her family appealed that they could not afford.
Following back-and-forth negotiations, the kidnappers reportedly reduced the N20m ransom to N5m.
Giving an update on the incident, Lawal’s friend identified as Agbakwara, who was privy to the incident, disclosed on Saturday that Aminat has regained her freedom.
Sharing a video of the victim in a Facebook post, Agbakwara wrote, “In the early hours of Friday, the kidnappers pressured us, warning that if we failed to meet their demands, we should not expect her return.
“In desperation, I reached out to everyone I could, her colleagues in school, the Muslim association, her friends from her hometown, my fans, and her family.
“Through the collective efforts and generosity of so many, we were able to raise N1.1 million, which was sent at 4:20 pm on Friday to an account provided by the kidnappers.
“The recipient, Isaac Ayo, claimed that his sister had also been kidnapped and assured us he would deliver the ransom alongside his own.”
He stated that Lawal was finally reunited with her family on Saturday morning.
“For hours, we anxiously waited. Finally, at around 10 pm, we received the long-awaited call: they had been released and taken to the hospital.
“This morning, we got another call confirming that Rofiat was on her way home, and the others had also safely returned to their families.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed, shared the news, and tagged the necessary authorities. Your support made this possible,” he concluded.
Mrs Ekaette Akpabio, the wife of the Senate President, has launched two lawsuits against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of defamation and infringement of her fundamental rights.
In her legal filings, Mrs Akpabio is seeking an astounding ₦250 billion in damages, alongside an additional ₦1 billion to cover legal costs.
The suits, presented to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, arise from sexual harassment allegations made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan against her husband, Godswill Akpabio, during an interview on Arise News last Friday.
In the fundamental rights suit (Suit No: CV/814/25), Mrs Akpabio contends that the statements made by Akpoti-Uduaghan on 20th February 2025, as well as during the televised interview, represent a “flagrant violation” of her fundamental rights as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Referencing Section 34(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Mrs Akpabio is pursuing several legal remedies, including: “A declaration that the Senator’s remarks breached her fundamental rights and subjected her and her children to emotional and psychological distress.
“A perpetual injunction restraining Akpoti-Uduaghan from making any further inciteful, scandalous, and defamatory remarks against her.
“₦250 billion in damages for what she categorises as exemplary, punitive, aggravated, and general damages incurred as a result of the senator’s statements.”
In a separate defamation lawsuit (Suit No: CV/816/25), the wife of the Senate President challenges the allegations made by Akpoti-Uduaghan, asserting that they have inflicted irreparable harm on her reputation and that of her family.
She argues that the claims, aired on national television, have “tarnished her family’s reputation and brought them into disrepute and opprobrium.”
“The Defendant’s assertion on national television that the Claimant’s husband, who serves as the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, made sexual advances towards her without any substantiation has severely damaged the reputation of the Claimant and her entire family,” the suit states.
Mrs Akpabio is also seeking a court declaration affirming that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s statements were indeed defamatory.
Her requests include: “A declaration that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s assertions on national television—that the Claimant’s husband, the Senate President, made sexual advances towards her without evidence—have harmed her reputation and that of her family, resulting in disrepute and opprobrium.
“An order compelling Akpoti-Uduaghan to issue a formal written retraction of her statements and to provide an unconditional apology to the Claimant and her family, to be published in two national newspapers.
“An order mandating Akpoti-Uduaghan to pay ₦1 billion in punitive and exemplary damages for the ramifications of her statements on the Akpabio family’s reputation.
“A perpetual injunction preventing Akpoti-Uduaghan from making further defamatory statements against the Akpabio family.”
These lawsuits represent a notable escalation in legal proceedings following a contentious exchange between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senator Akpabio.
The dispute first gained prominence when Akpoti-Uduaghan engaged in a verbal altercation with the Senate President during a Senate session, which she subsequently escalated by levelling allegations of sexual harassment during a televised interview.
The allegations have ignited a nationwide debate, drawing significant attention and eliciting mixed responses from the public.
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Governor Uba Sani Extends Warm Ramadan Greetings, Calls for Unity and Reflection in Kaduna State
As the holy month of Ramadan 1446 AH begins, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the Muslim faithful in Kaduna State, Nigeria, and across the globe.
In his Ramadan message, Governor Sani emphasized the importance of reflection, empathy, and solidarity during this sacred period.
Governor Sani urged Muslims to embrace the noble values of Ramadan, including generosity, brotherhood, and cooperation. He called on citizens to share food, love, time, and respect with the less privileged in society, reinforcing the spirit of compassion that defines the holy month.
“This is the time to renew our relationship with Almighty Allah and seek His mercy for our state and country,” Governor Sani stated. He also encouraged citizens to pray fervently for the sustenance of peace and unity in Kaduna State, highlighting the strength of the state’s diversity.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to consolidating peace, revitalizing the economy, and ensuring sustainable growth and development in Kaduna State. “As a government, we shall continue to do all that is necessary to place Kaduna State irreversibly on the path to progress,” he said.
Governor Sani concluded his message with a prayer for the spirit of Ramadan to illuminate the hearts and souls of all citizens. “May this holy month bring blessings, peace, and prosperity to our state and nation. Ramadan Mubarak,” he added.