Politics
Suspended Natasha Arrives NASS Amidst Tight Security ….barred from entering NASS complex ….Says her suspension was orchestrated by Akpabio
By George Mgbeleke,Abuja
Embattled kogi state lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan arrived at the National Assembly amid heightened security presence.
Recall the Kogi central lawmaker was on March 6, suspended by the Senate for six months. The six months suspension is expected to expire on September 5.
To make good her plan to be present at Tuesday plenary, the lawmaker stormed NASS entrance her supporters and attempted to drive through the Mopol gate of the National Assembly but was halted by security operatives who blocked her vehicle, prompting her to step down and proceed on foot.
Senator Natasha, accompanied by prominent activist Aisha Yesufu and several members of various human rights organizations, continued her approach to the Assembly by walking towards the second gate.
She eventually arrived at the main entrance to the federal parliament after trekking for about one kilometer with her supporters at the Assembly complex at 12.27pm in an attempt to resume her duties at the Senate.
The presence of the senator and her supporters caused traffic gridlock within the vicinity of the parliament building for about two hours.
However, the heavy security personnel at the gate stopped her by force and insisted that she would not enter.
Meanwhile after fruitless effort to gain access to the National Assembly Complex,Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan who stormed the National Assembly complex with a large crowd of supporters on Tuesday in Abuja,spoke to journalists on her ordeal said her suspension from the National Assembly was personally orchestrated by the President of the Senate,Godswill Akpabio.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and a group of her supporters appeared at the assembly complex at 12.27pm in an attempt to resume her duties at the Senate.
The presence of the senator and her supporters at the caused traffic gridlock within the vicinity of the parliament building for about two hours.
She was accompanied by human rights activist, Aisha Yesufu, her lawyers, aides and supporters.
But the senator, acting on a recent ruling of a federal high court, which ruled that the suspension period was excessive, decided to resume on Tuesday.
The suspended Kogi lawmaker who defied the narrative of the senate, said that her suspension as ruled in court is excessive and did not stop her from resuming her legislative duties.
She also noted that the reported appeal against an aspect of the ruling by the senate was incorrect as reported in the media, adding that Senator Akpabio was the only appellant in the court papers.
She blamed the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio for not allowing her access to the parliament building to attend plenary session and to enter her office.
Fielding questions from journalists, Natasha said it was illegal and unconstitutional for the Senate to deny her entry.
She also said the legislative house trampled on the rule of law and infringed on her constitutional rights.
Blaming Akpabio mainly for being behind the blockade, the Kogi senator restated her position that she was not afraid of Akpabio.
The lawmaker stated that her team of lawyers will take another look at the event of Tuesday and possibly return to the Appeal court while waiting for the resumption of the Senate in September to make her return.
By David Owei, Bayelsa
Governor Ademola Adeleke is not defecting to African Democratic Congress (ADC) nor aligning with anybody within the ADC ahead of the 2026 state elections, his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed has disclosed.
Responding to media publication and enquiries, the Spokesperson affirmed that Governor Adeleke remains in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and is going to win, with wide margins, the 2026 governorship elections on the platform of the PDP.
The statement reads further: “Our attention has been drawn to news reports and media enquiries about the imminent defection of Governor Adeleke to the ADC or alignment with ADC big wigs ahead of the 2026 governorship race. There is no truth in those publications and speculations.
“First of all, we, the PDP Osun, have already adopted and endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, so there is no alliance with ADC.
“Secondly, Governor Adeleke has no alliance with anyone in ADC. He remains in PDP, will run in PDP, and needs no alliance with ADC to win with a wide margin in 2026.
“The Osun electorate supports Governor Adeleke because of his impressive performance since he came to office. That good work is still ongoing and Osun people are committed to sustaining the delivery of good governance by re-electing Governor Adeleke in 2026”, the Spokesperson was quoted as saying.
Governor Adeleke urges PDP members to forge ahead with the ongoing strengthening of the party structures across all levels to prepare for fresh victory next year”, the statement from the Spokesperson concluded.
By David Owei,Bayelsa
The umbrella body of Ijaw Elders, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has rejected the Bill in the Senate seeking to permanently elevate the Ooni of Ife and Sultan of Sokoto as the exclusive Co-chairmen of the Traditional Rulers Council.
The INC said the move would be at the expense of apex traditional rulers from other ethnic nationalities and geopolitical divides.
The Second Vice Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Chief Alabo Nengi James (OON) said, in a statement on Sunday in Odi, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government area of Bayelsa State, the proposal is a continuos infringement on Traditional Rulers in Nigeria.
Alabo Nengi James describes the provision of the Bill as unacceptable and against the Rights of the indigenous People across tribes, Religion, Culture and Customs.
He said the Bill should be reviewed to include clauses such as No permanent Chairmanship for Sultan and Oni only must be allowed in the ongoing bill being discussed in the Senate.
He advocates that the National Assembly should allow the National Council of Traditional Rulers to Appoint their Leadership themselves, rotationaly and based on Federal Character.
“Include the Role of Traditional Rulers into the Constitutio and No Traditional Ruler from another tribe or religion is superior to another.”
“The National Assembly should Step down the Provocative and dehumanizing offensive Bill that will cause a serious rift and breach of peace in Nigeria.”
Chief James called the attention of the Senate President, Rt. Hon. Godswill Akpabio, urging him to immediately step down what he termed a “highly insensitive and dangerous bill.”
He emphasized that traditional rulers across the country must be given equal recognition and should be allowed to choose their national leadership through internal mechanisms that reflect rotational leadership and the federal character system.
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