Author: Damilola Olufemi

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has gained entry into the National Assembly complex in Abuja after initially being denied access. The senator, currently under a six-month suspension imposed by the Senate, had vowed to return to legislative duties, citing a court ruling which, according to her, supported her reinstatement. Her attempt to resume on Tuesday was initially blocked, as security operatives stopped her convoy from entering the premises. Senator Natasha, who was in a black vehicle, was turned back, along with another car ahead of hers that carried activist Aisha Yesufu. Despite the setback, Natasha later stepped out of her vehicle and…

The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, says he once turned down a ₦120 million house gift during his tenure as governor of Anambra State, choosing instead to have classrooms built in its place. Obi, who marked his 64th birthday on Saturday, July 19, made this known while expressing gratitude to Nigerians for their birthday wishes. Though appreciative of the goodwill shown, he explained that he does not indulge in birthday celebrations and would rather see such gestures redirected to projects that serve the public good. “I recall vividly when I turned 50 during my time as governor. One…

Activist Aisha Yesufu has declared her support for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, pledging to accompany the Kogi Central lawmaker to the National Assembly on Tuesday, as the senator insists on resuming duties despite objections from the Senate leadership. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Yesufu argued that the senator had every legal right to return to office, referencing a court decision that nullified her suspension. “I think Senator Natasha has every right to resume office, and by tomorrow, she is not going to resume alone. Some people are going to go with her, and I’ll be one of them,”…

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, sustained minor injuries in a road accident that occurred along the Daura-Katsina highway while on official assignment. The incident was confirmed on Monday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed, who assured the public that the governor is in stable condition and has not suffered any serious harm. Despite the mishap, Mohammed noted that Radda remains in high spirits and is grateful to Almighty Allah for divine protection. He also extended appreciation to the people of Katsina and other well-wishers for their outpouring of prayers and concern. “I’m pleased to confirm that I…

With its 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government set to expire on July 23, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has warned of a possible nationwide shutdown of medical services if its demands are not addressed. The NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu, reaffirmed the association’s readiness to take decisive action, saying, “We have made our position clear. The ultimatum ends on July 23, and if the Federal Government does not address our demands, we may have no choice but to proceed with a strike.” The ultimatum, issued on July 2, was prompted by a circular from the National Salaries, Incomes and…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has addressed growing questions around the delay in the full membership of former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. The clarification came as the former Director-General of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, Mr. C.I.D. Maduabum officially resigned from the PDP and joined the ADC. In a related development, APC chieftain in Delta State, Chief Ayiri Emami, dismissed speculation that former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, plans to defect from the APC to the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections. Meanwhile, members…

The Senate has issued a stern warning to suspended Kogi senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, advising her not to attempt a return to the National Assembly ahead of the expiration of her suspension. Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chair of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, made this clear in a statement released on Sunday, saying there is no valid court ruling compelling the Senate to reinstate Akpoti-Uduaghan immediately. “The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria wishes to reaffirm, for the third time, that there is no subsisting court order mandating the Senate to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before the expiration…

The Trump administration announced Friday that it is rejecting recent amendments to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) pandemic response framework, arguing that the changes infringe on U.S. sovereignty. Although the United States began its formal withdrawal from the WHO immediately after Donald Trump returned to office on January 20, the State Department emphasized that the language of the amended agreement—reached last year—would still have imposed obligations on the U.S. In a joint statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—a longtime vaccine critic—said the revisions “risk unwarranted interference with our national sovereign…

Amid intensifying calls for local government autonomy in Nigeria, former Lagos State governor and ex-Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has argued that true autonomy for local councils is currently unattainable under the country’s constitutional framework. Speaking on Channels Television’s *Sunrise* programme on Saturday, Fashola emphasized that local governments remain significantly constrained by the influence of state governments and their legislative assemblies, which, according to him, undermines the concept of autonomy. “I think that the debate we must have, debate we must have, is whether we really want autonomous local governments. It’s a debate that must be had,” Fashola…

The Kaduna State Police Command has halted a planned rally by supporters of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, which was intended to mark his birthday. In a statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, the police explained that the decision was based on intelligence reports suggesting that certain criminal elements intended to infiltrate the event. These elements allegedly planned to exploit the rally to incite unrest, disrupt public order, and potentially trigger violence. “The Command has credible information indicating that the proposed gathering could be hijacked by miscreants, posing a threat to peace and security,” the…