The suspended lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Udaughan, on Sunday, tendered an unreserved apology to Senate President Godswill Akpabio over the controversial sexual harassment allegation she levelled against him.

However, her perceived apology was veiled in a satirical letter she wrote to the former Akwa Ibom governor, who is currently in Rome for the late Pope Francis’ funeral and made available to newsmen in Abuja.

PUNCH Online reported that Natasha was suspended on March 6 following a heated disagreement with the Senate leadership over a new seating arrangement, which she alleged was designed to undermine her.

Tensions rose further when Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio on national television of punishing her for rejecting his purported sexual advances.

During the Women in Parliament session at the Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting at the United Nations in New York, Akpoti-Uduaghan called for international intervention to hold the Nigerian Senate accountable.

She also criticised the severe measures imposed on her, including the withdrawal of security, salary cuts, and a six-month suspension from the National Assembly.

Following a series of legal fireworks between both parties, the court barred the duo from talking to the press and commenting on the issue until the legal outcome of the case.

However, on Sunday, two days after Akpabio led a Federal Government delegation to the Vatican, the Kogi Central senator wrote a derisive ‘Apology Letter’ directed at the Senate President.

It read, “Dear Distinguished Senate President Godswill Akpabio, It is with the deepest sarcasm and utmost theatrical regret that I tender this apology for the grievous crime of possessing dignity and self-respect in your most exalted presence.

“I have reflected extensively on my unforgivable failure to recognise that legislative success in certain quarters is apparently not earned through merit, but through the ancient art of compliance — of the very personal kind.

“How remiss of me not to understand that my refusal to indulge your… “requests” was not merely a personal choice, but a constitutional violation of the unwritten laws of certain men’s entitlement. Truly, I must apologize for prioritizing competence over capitulation, vision over vanity, and the people’s mandate over private dinners behind closed doors.

“I now realize the catastrophic consequences of my actions: legislation delayed, tempers flared, and the tragic bruising of egos so large they require their own postcodes. For this disruption to the natural order of “quid pro quo,” I bow my head in fictional shame.

“Please find it in your magnanimous heart — somewhere buried deep beneath layers of entitlement — to forgive this stubborn woman who mistakenly believed that her seat in the Senate was earned through elections, not erections. I remain Yours in eternal resistance, Senator Natasha H Akpoti Uduaghan Unafraid, Unbought, and Unbroken.”

The President of the Nigeria Rescue Mission Organisation and former President of Buhari Youth Organisation, Dr Jibril Mustapha, on Sunday urged former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election.

Mustapha, who made this call in a statement released on Sunday in Lagos, said Jonathan should heed the calls to run for the office of the president again.

“As the nation prepares for the 2027 elections, the Nigeria Rescue Mission Organisation believes that now is the time for all stakeholders to come together and support a candidate who can genuinely represent the interests of all Nigerians.

“We urge former President Goodluck Jonathan to consider this call and to step forward as a candidate who can unite our country and lead us towards a brighter future.

“This appeal comes in light of the numerous challenges currently facing Nigeria, including economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, and rampant banditry,” Mustapha said.

According to him, there is an urgent need for a leader who embodies integrity, inclusivity, and a commitment to national unity.

Mustapha added, “Nigeria is at a crossroads. We are grappling with significant issues that threaten our stability and progress. 

“We need a leader who can bring all Nigerians together, regardless of their background.”

He said that the former Nigerian leader, during his tenure, demonstrated a commitment to democratic values and governance that prioritised the welfare of all citizens.

According to him, the group believes Jonathan has the vision and experience necessary to lead Nigeria.

“His leadership style is one that fosters inclusivity and economic advancement, which is exactly what our nation needs at this critical juncture.

“Under Jonathan’s leadership, we can work towards restoring Nigeria’s lost glory on the international stage and within our borders.”

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that BYO is a youth-based supporters group of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Jonathan lost his second term ambition to Buhari in the 2015 presidential election.

NAN recalls amidst the debate on whether Jonathan was eligible to run again or not, having taken the oath of office twice as President, the Federal High Court in Bayelsa had in 2022 ruled that Jonathan could still contest the presidential election.

The presiding judge, Justice Dashen, who gave the judgment, held that Jonathan’s right could not be stopped by any retroactive law.

According to him, the 2007 general election produced the late Umaru Yar’Adua as president and not Jonathan, stressing that Section 137 could not have a retroactive effect to stop him from contesting for the presidency.

Dashen ruled that there was no presidential election conducted in the country in 2010 and Jonathan could not be deemed to have been sworn into the office of the president that year.

(NAN)

Five persons have been killed following an explosion that occurred at a facility where illegally refined petroleum products were stored at Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area of Rivers State.

 
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday morning, said the incident occured on Saturday morning.

The statement, which was signed by YEAC-Nigeria President, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, said the victims were four women and one man, who were burnt beyond recognition.

It read in part: “The inferno is said to have occurred in a house where people purchased and stored illegally refined petroleum products including condensate for resale in the area.

“Members of the Advocacy Centre youth volunteers network under the auspices of the One Million Youth Volunteers Network of Human Rights Defenders and Promoters in the Niger Delta in ONELGA told YEAC-Nigeria that the incident occurred in the late hours of Saturday, April 26 by about 11:00AM, killing five persons, four females and one male burnt beyond recognition.

 
“While calling for investigation into the incident, the Advocacy Centre warns residents and youths against involvement in pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, artisanal refineries and trading in illegally refined petroleum products including home storage to avoid ugly incidents of this nature.

“The group also used the opportunity to renew its call on the federal government to legalise artisanal refineries in the Niger Delta through the establishment of its July 27, 2020 proposed Presidential Artisanal Crude Oil Refining Development Initiative (PACORDI) and/or Modular Refineries for artisanal Refiners in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region to mitigate incidents of this nature.”

Deputy National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Ayo Olorunfemi, has cautioned Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential flagbearer, to disregard growing calls for him to abandon the LP ahead of the 2027 elections.

Naija News recalls that a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Sowunmi, in the wake of a series of defections in Delta State, had intensified his call for former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, to return to the party.

Sowunmi’s appeal comes ahead of the 2027 general elections, where he believes Obi’s rejoining the PDP could help the party wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

However, speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos, Olorunfemi who also contested the 2024 Ondo governorship election under the LP advised Obi to concentrate on healing and strengthening the party instead of considering defection.

Although he acknowledged that Obi has the constitutional freedom to associate with any political party of his choice, Olorunfemi warned that accepting overtures from other parties could prove detrimental.

He said, “Now that he has contested and he has seen the LP force, if he decides to go to another political party, it will then speak volumes of his intention.”

Continuing, he added, “It will tell whether he truly believed in the ideology of the Labour Party before coming to run, or he just wanted to use the opportunity of the platform.”

According to Olorunfemi, any move by Obi to switch platforms would raise serious questions among Nigerians regarding his political motives.

“So, it will now be left for Nigerians to decide whether Obi, who got millions of votes under the Labour Party, can still be voted for under the PDP or another party,” he stated.

Offering firm advice, Olorunfemi suggested that Obi should take responsibility for rebuilding LP rather than seeking greener pastures elsewhere.

“He (Obi) must use his tongue to count his teeth. If I were he, what I would be doing now is working to restore peace in the Labour Party and rebuild it,” he urged.

The party chieftain stressed the importance of reconciliation efforts within LP: “He should find a way to resolve the issues in the party and remain on the platform. He should remain in the party and restore peace. He should stay and resolve the crises he and others created in LP.”

Olorunfemi also warned that defecting would paint Obi in a negative light, suggesting, “Moving around will portray him as an opportunistic politician, not different from these politicians jumping here and there.”

Reflecting on the sacrifices made by LP members to support Obi’s presidential bid, Olorunfemi reminded him that many aspirants had stepped aside in 2022 to give him a chance. Yet, he made it clear that the party’s survival does not hinge solely on Obi: if he leaves, the LP will continue to thrive as a strong opposition force.

Addressing the leadership crisis within the party, Olorunfemi defended the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC), insisting that it had not wronged Obi or his supporters.

He recalled the fierce loyalty shown to Obi during the 2023 elections. “What is the offence of Abure? He stood in the sun, stood in the rain. All of us in the NWC stood by him (Obi). In spite of all the attacks, we stood by him.”

He further recounted personal sacrifices, noting, “My own people, in the course of fighting for him (Obi), called me names for fighting for someone not from my tribe. LP is blind to ethnicity, and I supported him because I believe in politics devoid of ethnic sentiment.”

Olorunfemi admitted that crises were inevitable in politics but stressed that the party’s response has remained lawful and measured. “There is bound to be a crisis. People will come with different things in mind, but we have to moderate everything like we are doing now in LP.”

He underscored the NWC’s commitment to constitutional governance, stating, “Everything we are doing in the Labour Party is in line with our constitution. That is our strength.”

Finally, he challenged critics to present evidence of constitutional violations if they believe the leadership has erred: “Anybody who wants to challenge the authority of the NWC should challenge it to the constitution.

“They should show us the aspect of the constitution that has been violated. If they confront us with the facts, then we will agree with them.”

Mai Mala Buni, governor of Yobe, says he has no plans to join the opposition coalition being promoted by  some opposition leaders, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

Buni’s stance is contained in a statement issued by Mamman Mohammed, the director-general of press and media affairs in the office of the Yobe state governor.

According to NAN, a viral message had claimed that Buni and four other All Progressives Congress (APC) governors were finalising plans to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before the 2027 elections. 

This follows growing coalition talks among opposition politicians seeking to wrest power from the ruling APC ahead of the next general election.

The former vice-president has been at the forefront of strategic meetings and talks around the proposed coalition against the APC.

However, Buni’s spokesperson dismissed the claim of Buni joining the coalition, describing it as “baseless fabrications, unwarranted imagination, and assumptions that did not cross paths with reality in any way, shape, and form”.

He said the author of the message had never been close enough to Buni to predict the governor’s political movement.

“Buni is no ordinary member of APC; he is not just an APC governor. He is APC in all ramifications, with APC flowing in his veins,” the statement reads.

“His contributions to building APC as a two-term National Secretary and National Chairman who chaired the party’s convention committee make him unique, and whose imagination of leaving the party cannot be speculated.”

Mohammed said the author and his paymasters must have been interested in Buni’s political sagacity and only wished they would have the likes of the governor.

“It must be wishful thinking,” he added.

Joseph Oloyede, the Apetu of Ipetumodu in Osun state, and Edward Oluwasanmi, a pastor, have pleaded guilty to swindling the United States government of $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds.

Citing court records, a Punch report said Oluwasanmi reportedly used his companies – Dayspring Transportation Limited, Dayspring Holding Incorporated, and Dayspring Property Incorporated – to obtain millions of dollars, which he later diverted for personal expenses in violation of US federal laws.

The two men were charged to court on 13 counts, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, and engaging in monetary transactions with criminally derived property.

On April 10, Oluwasanmi, represented by Henry Hilow, a counsel, pleaded guilty to counts one, 11, and 12 of the indictment.

The counts accused him of using fraud proceeds to purchase commercial property at 422 South Green Road, South Euclid, Ohio, through wire transfer, and transferring money into a Dayspring transportation brokerage account.

According to the report, Oloyede submitted his guilty plea on Monday.

With a sentencing set for July 2, both men face potential prison terms.

Oloyede was crowned as the monarch of Ipetumodu in 2019 but frequently travelled between Nigeria and the US for “royal and personal engagements”.

Indigenes began raising concerns after his throne was vacant for nearly a year.

Oloyede and Oluwasanmi were arrested on April 5, 2024, according to a statement issued by the US department of transportation earlier this month, revealing the monarch’s whereabouts.

A dramatic scene played out in one of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) centers as a female candidate refused to attempt any questions, opting instead to wait for miraculous intervention.

According to JAMB Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, the candidate was complying with the instruction of her grandfather to do nothing during the examination.

Benjamin, in a statement on Saturday, said candidates must prepare and hard work to achieve success rather than relying on miracles.

Meanwhile, JAMB has offered a financial reward to anyone who can provide authentic proof of a candidate being posted to an examination center outside their chosen town.

JAMB clarified that candidates have the right to select their preferred examination town during registration, and the board assigns them to a center within that chosen town.

The board described claims that candidates are placed in towns different from their selections as “erroneous, malicious, and aimed solely at tarnishing the Board’s reputation.”

The Board also challenged the public to provide proof of such cases within 96 hours, which should be sent to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) WhatsApp number, 08056003030.

JAMB also explained that candidates are required to arrive at the examination centers 90 minutes before the commencement of the examination for preliminary verification, which includes processes that take time.

“Similarly, anyone who finds no fault in airlines requesting air-travellers to arrive at the airport 2 hours before the departure time should find no fault in encouraging candidates to arrive at the CBT centres, 90 minutes before commencement of examination for preliminary verification.

“Many parents who expect candidates to spend not more than 2 hours for the 2 hours examination are apparently oblivious of the required preliminary processes,” the statement said.

The board assured the public that it is committed to public good and exists to serve the public interest in the best possible manner.

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, and the minister of Finance and Coordinating minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, have declared that Nigeria has exited its most turbulent economic period and is now firmly on the path to growth and stability.

Speaking on Friday night at a joint press conference at the end of the 2025 International Monetary Fund (IMF)/World Bank Spring meetings, the CBN governor asserted that the country’s monetary and financial framework has matured significantly, with the foreign exchange market now operating effectively based on market fundamentals.

Cardoso emphasised that the Central Bank’s primary duty remains safeguarding stability, not imposing rates arbitrarily. “We are custodians of stability. Our role is to ensure that people can plan without suffering the shocks of internal or external disruptions,” he said.

He cautioned against lingering cynicism, describing the current economic climate as one ripe with opportunities that Nigerians must seize. “This is not the time to be cynical. If we do not recognise and take advantage of our opportunities, others will. Capital moves to where the environment is enabled. So it’s not the time to be cynical. It’s the time for us to look to the future. With every confidence that we will get out of any problem that we are faced with.” Cardoso stated.

Noting that the progress recorded in the economy had been due to the difficult but necessary reforms undertaken by the monetary and fiscal authorities, he said, Nigeria’s resilience during recent external pressures has made it a reference point in the international community.

“It has taken a lot of coordination between the fiscal and the monetary, learn from mistakes, being bold enough to look at other at other means of doing certain things to get better results, and now we are here at a time where the international community are asking others to learn from what Nigeria has been able to accomplish.

On his part, the Finance minister and coordinating minister of the economy, Mr. Wale Edun, confirmed that key economic indicators are trending positively, a clear departure from the nation’s situation a few years ago.

Responding to question report that the country had slipped to the fourth largest economy in Africa, he said: “I have not seen the report but Nigeria is economically, financially, in a very much better place than it was just a couple of years ago. Inflation is coming down, the exchange rate is stabilizing, food prices are easing, and the fundamentals are much stronger.”

According to Edun, the resilience of Nigeria’s external sector during recent challenges, where investors eventually restored confidence, is proof of the underlying strength of the economy.

Looking ahead, he outlined an ambitious target for economic growth. “We must now push to grow the Nigerian economy deliberately at no less than 7% per annum. Anything less will not move our people out of poverty fast enough,” he said.

“We have turned the corner. It is now time for every Nigerian to contribute towards building a stronger, more prosperous economy,” Edun stated.

The defection of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has heightened fears regarding the potential defection of other state governors from opposition parties. Long before Oborevwori left the PDP, signs that some opposition governors might follow suit had already emerged. From their utterances and body language, it was obvious that some of these governors were hobnobbing with the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC). Findings by Sunday Vanguard showed that there is a growing uncertainty in some states, particularly among party faithful, regarding their future in the opposition. This anxiety exists despite the denials by party officials who claim that there are no plans for defections.

The wave of defections from the PDP to the APC has raised significant concerns within opposition states. While some states exhibit signs of potential shifts, others maintain a firm stance against such moves. The varying responses underscore the complex and localised nature of Nigerian politics, where individual relationships, party dynamics, and regional considerations play pivotal roles in shaping political allegiances. Enugu: On Shaky Grounds Enugu State has been a stronghold of the PDP since the beginning of the Fourth Republic. However, there are now speculations that overtures have been made to Governor Peter Mbah to leave the PDP. It is well-known that the governor is a close ally of President Bola Tinubu, and Sunday Vanguard gathered that the presidency has been consistently wooing Mbah to join the APC.

As a result, the APC in Enugu State, which is the opposition, has continually praised the governor for his developmental strides in the state. However, the APC Chairman in the state, Ugo Agballa, is opposed to such a move. Sources suggest that Agballa and the party leadership have vowed to ensure that any alleged plan for Mbah to defect does not materialize. While the APC is making efforts to gain influence in the state, the opposition within Enugu State’s PDP remains strong, making it unclear whether the governor will take the plunge and abandon his current political affiliation.

Anambra: ‘APC Lacks Foundation’

In Anambra State, despite Governor Charles Soludo’s closeness to President Bola Tinubu, there is little concern over the possibility of defection. Soludo, who was elected under the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), has not shown any inclination toward defecting to the APC. Since coming to office in 2021, Soludo has maintained a positive relationship with the APGA leadership in the state. In fact, the governor recently dismissed the APC as a party without any significant foundation in Anambra, stating that it has never managed to secure even a single councillor in previous elections. According to Soludo, the APC has failed to make any significant impact in the state, citing their lack of electoral traction in both general and local government elections.

“Now, wind down to Anambra. In Anambra, APC doesn’t even have a councillor. Not even one. In all previous elections, they’ve never been able to get traction. Look at the last several elections— general elections and local government elections—not even 3–4% of the votes. You can’t put something on nothing, so to speak,” Soludo stated. Most stakeholders in the state do not believe the governor, who is seeking a second term, would defect. “There is no reason for that. APGA is not a party, but a movement that Ndigbo subscribe to. We are connected to the party in every reasonable way. Our governor is a principled person, who has paid his dues in respected fields. He should not be ranked alongside those defecting,” said Emma Udemezue, an APGA chieftain, when speaking with Sunday Vanguard.

Abia:

Defections Have No Impact The recent defections in Delta State seem unlikely to have any significant effect on the PDP in Abia State, for several reasons. Abia is not currently controlled by either the PDP or the APC, and the defections in Delta have little to no bearing on the political dynamics in Abia. For Governor Alex Otti, defection is far from being a priority. A PDP chieftain and aspirant for the party’s chairmanship in 2024, Chief Olugh Kalu, told Sunday Vanguard: “Every politics is local. Their defection happened in Delta and cannot have any effect in Abia because Abia is not Delta State.” Since the Labour Party (LP) took control of Abia in the 2023 elections, local residents have not shown much interest in the affairs of either the PDP or APC. Many former PDP stakeholders have already defected to the APC, and more are expected to follow before the 2027 elections. The people of Abia, for the most part, are more focused on the performance of Otti’s LP-led administration than on the shifting alliances of the traditional political parties. Despite internal leadership struggles within LP, which have persisted for several months, the governor’s governance is seen as a more pressing concern.

Osun:

Party Faithful Disturbed Long before the defection of Delta Governor Oborevwori, there had been speculations that Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State might leave the PDP for the APC. Party faithful in Osun are particularly concerned about the defections in Delta and the recent resignation of the lawmaker representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Mr. Oluwole Oke. Oke, a fifth-term lawmaker, had been at odds with the PDP leadership in Osun, leading to factionalism in his constituency. In a letter dated April 16, addressed to the Ward 7 Chairman of the party in Obokun Local Government Area, Oke stated that his decision to resign was made after consulting with his constituents. Although Oke did not explicitly state whether he would join another party, the speculation that he might join the ruling APC has further fueled the belief that Adeleke could be considering the same move.

However, some party leaders have dismissed the significance of Oke’s resignation, arguing that it should not be seen as a harbinger of Adeleke’s defection. “We have heard that several PDP governors, including Ademola Adeleke, were planning to defect to the APC. This defection of the Delta State Governor and Mr. Oluwole Oke further strengthened the talk in town that Adeleke may join the ruling party,” a local resident said. Diran Odeyemi, a former Deputy Publicity Secretary of the PDP, dismissed the idea

Demands action on escalating attacks in Kaduna, Plateau

The leadership of Evangelical Church Winning All, ECWA, has condemned the rising cases of violence, banditry, and kidnappings in Kaduna and Plateau states, urging the Federal Government to take urgent action.

General Secretary of ECWA, Rev. Ayuba Asheshe, at a press conference in Jos, said the Church had already spent over N300 million in ransom payments, adding that over 50 of their members remain in captivity.

His words: “ECWA expresses its profound grief and deep concern over a surge of violent incidents impacting its members and communities in Kaduna and Plateau states. These interconnected crises, marked by banditry, kidnappings, and brutal militia attacks, demand immediate and decisive intervention from government and all stakeholders.

“In Kaduna State, the Kwassam DCC of the Kauru Local Government Area has been ravaged by relentless banditry and kidnappings in recent weeks. Over 20 lives have been lost, and over 100 individuals, including Church members and community residents, have been abducted.

“The Church has already spent over 300 million Naira in ransom payments, yet over 50 individuals remain in captivity, placing an unbearable financial strain on the Church and affected families, many of whom have lost their livelihoods. The targeting of predominantly farming communities in the region further exacerbates the crisis, posing a significant threat to food security in the affected areas and neighboring communities due to the disruption of agricultural activities.”