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[FULL TEXT] Press Conference On The Illegal Detention, Harassment And Persecution Of Ms. Hamdiyyah Sharif Over Her Demand For End To Violence In Sokoto
Admin![[FULL TEXT] Press Conference On The Illegal Detention, Harassment And Persecution Of Ms. Hamdiyyah Sharif Over Her Demand For End To Violence In Sokoto](/media/k2/items/cache/726e353d077aa81f26ce434889f0752c_L.jpg)
We, the undersigned members, express grave concern and deep indignation over the continuing persecution, harassment, and unlawful treatment of Miss Hamdiyyah Sharif, a young Nigerian teenager and vocal social commentator who has been a consistent advocate for improved governance and citizen welfare in Sokoto State.
You may recall that after several bandit attacks in her community resulting in displacement, killings, raping and arson, she tried to communicate this deplorable condition to draw the attention of the State Government on this brutal attack. She wondered why the state government or officials did not bother to visit or sympathize with communities that suffer severe and violent attacks. Sadly, this became the reason for her persecution, intimidation, harassment and threat to life. Rather than the state government to focus on ameliorating the suffering of the people who have some of the worst rate of poverty, almajiri and out-of-school children in Nigeria, it opted to direct its energy on attacking innocent citizens.
Miss Sharif, who was recently declared missing by her legal counsel, was reportedly found later in a hospital in Bakura, Zamfara State, in circumstances that are yet to be fully clarified. Three days ago, Miss Hamdiyyah was reportedly abducted on a commercial tricycle (Napep) in her village, taken to an unknown village where she was injected with unknown substances and abandoned in a bush in Bakura LGA of Zamfara. She was eventually found by good Samaritans, received medical treatment at a hospital, and ended up in a police station. Alarming reports indicate that the Commissioner of Police in Zamfara is under intense pressure to hand her over to the Commissioner of Police in Sokoto State. Given the suspicious circumstances of her abduction and the looming threat to her life, we call on the Inspector General of Police to urgently take custody and ensure the protection of Miss Sharif. Should anything happen to her, the Commissioners of Police in both Sokoto and Zamfara will be held responsible.
While her physical recovery remains a priority, the circumstances of her disappearance and the events leading to her hospitalisation raise serious questions about state complicity in the unlawful targeting of critics and the misuse of power by some state officials.
While we do not yet have incontrovertible evidence to directly accuse Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State of orchestrating her ordeal, it is important to state that multiple reports and credible indicators point to alleged state involvement in the ongoing intimidation, harassment, and silencing of Miss Sharif. Such allegations must be taken seriously and investigated transparently by relevant authorities.
We remind His Excellency, the Governor of Sokoto State, of his constitutional oath to uphold the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to govern in accordance with rule of law and respect for human rights. The Constitution, under Section 39(1), guarantees every Nigerian the right to freedom of expression, and Section 35 guarantees the right to personal liberty. These rights are not gifts from the government—they are entitlements under our Constitution and democratic system.
It is worrisome that the Police and the State Magistrate are being used to maliciously prosecute this teenager for crying out against insecurity and bad governance in the state. It is important that the Inspector General of Police brings sanity in the way and manner the Police are used to harass innocent citizens while bandits and other criminals are on social media mocking and challenging the Nigerian security but are not being dealt with.
The case of Miss Sharif is not isolated. During the “#EndBadGovernance” protests, 29 minors were unlawfully detained for participating in protests decrying Nigeria’s worsening economic situation and insecurity. Months after Civil Society pressure, they were released. However, many remain in deplorable conditions, without rehabilitation, psychosocial support, or access to justice. This is despite the President’s directive to investigate and prosecute the Police officers behind the prosecution of these minors, nothing till today has been done or said.
We cannot continue to have a system that punishes the vulnerable while shielding the powerful.
We salute the courage and efforts by many organizations and individuals, her legal team led by Abba Hikma esq in saving her life and getting her out of this quagmire. We urge more intensity of action by all the groups.
We therefore demand the following:
1. Immediate and unconditional release of Miss Hamdiyyah Sharif from from contrived detention and be accorded full protection for to enable her enjoy her constitutional rights to freedom of movement, freedom of expression, and personal liberty without fear of reprisal.
2. An independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and the allegations of state complicity. Those responsible for any wrongdoing must be held to account.
3. The judiciary must act with courage and consistency in upholding the Constitution, as it remains the last hope of every Nigerian, especially the vulnerable ones. Today, hope is a dangerous thing for the average Nigerian citizen to have. It must not be crushed by a judiciary that bows to executive pressure or partisan interference.
4. We call on the First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Fatima Ahmed Aliyu (wife of the Sokoto State Governor), and all women in public leadership positions to rise to the occasion and protect the dignity of a fellow woman. At a time when women’s participation in politics and governance in Nigeria is at an all-time low, silence in the face of injustice will only deepen the erosion of gender inclusion and equality. We ask them to speak truth to power and uphold the rights of all women, regardless of their status in the society.
5. We call on the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the National Assembly Committees on Women Affairs, Human Rights, and Judiciary, and all other relevant bodies to immediately commence oversight and enquiry into this case and others like it across Nigeria at large.This will also demonstrate their willingness to address injustice and save the country from global embarrassment and scandal.
6. We want to reaffirm our commitment to collective action and support to end violence against women.Should this situation remain unresolved to save this young girl’s life, we will escalate advocacy to relevant international human rights bodies, including the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, diplomatic community and call for visa denial and asset seizure. We will also explore legal redress through international mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court (ICC).
This country belongs to us all—young and old, male and female, rich and poor, leader and follower. Civic space must never be a privilege only for the powerful; it is a right guaranteed to all citizens. We will not fold our arms while Nigeria drifts into authoritarianism under the guise of protective regime.
We will continue to mobilise, resist, and speakagainst injustice, because silence is not neutrality—it is complicity.
Signed,
1. Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)
#FixPoliticsAmnesty International Nigeria Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED)Global RightsGood Governance TeamMedia Rights AgendaOrganization for Community Civic Engagement (OCCEN)Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa PAACAPartners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN)Rape is a CrimeSocio-Economic Rights And Accountability Project (SERAP)Socio-Economic Research and Development Centre (SERDEC)Social Development Integrated Centre (Social Action)The Center for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFWIT)Transition Monitoring Group (TMG)West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI)Women in Media Communication Initiative (WIM)Yiaga AfricaWali Uwais Access to JusticeEmma Ezeazu Centre for Good Governance and AccountabilityBorno Coalition for Democracy and Progress (BOCODEP)State of the Union (SOTU)Tax Justice and Governance PlatformWest Africa Civil Society Forum (WASCSOF)Women in Mining, NigeriaZero Corruption Coalition (ZCC)Centre for Social JusticeLawyers AlertCentre for Democracy and Development (CDD)Alliance for Surviving COVID-19BudgIT FoundationHuman and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resources Centre)Mothers And Marginalized Advocacy Centre (MAMA Centre)Say No Campaign NigeriaCentre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD)Girl Child Concerns (GCC)Spaces for Change (S4C)Centre for Social JusticeCentre for Good Governance and Accountability. Daria Media FoundationPublic Procurement Platform Connected Development (CODE)
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New statistics from the UK Office for National Statistics reveal that Nigeria maintained its position as a major contributor to British immigration in 2024, with approximately 52,000 Nigerian nationals relocating to the country throughout the year.
The figures come amid a dramatic reduction in overall UK net migration, which plummeted by nearly half to 431,000 in the year ending December 2024, down from 860,000 the previous year—representing a decline of almost 50 percent.
Work and Study Drive Nigerian Migration
The data shows that Nigerian immigrants primarily arrived for employment and educational opportunities. Work-related visas accounted for 27,000 arrivals, while 22,000 came on study visas. The remaining 3,000 entered under various other immigration categories.
Nigeria's substantial contribution places it alongside India, Pakistan, and China as the leading sources of non-EU+ migration to the UK. Indian nationals topped the list as the most common non-EU+ immigrants during this period.
According to the ONS report, "Work and study-related immigration were the primary reasons for migration among Indian, Pakistani, and Nigerian nationals."
Demographics of New Arrivals
The migration data reveals key demographic patterns among non-EU+ immigrants. The vast majority—83 percent—fell within working age (16-64 years), with a relatively balanced gender split of 52 percent male and 48 percent female.
Children under 16 represented 16 percent of all migrants, while those over 65 accounted for just one percent of arrivals.
Factors Behind Overall Decline
While countries like Nigeria continued to send significant numbers of migrants to the UK, the broader downward trend in immigration resulted from multiple factors. Reduced arrivals on work and study visas from non-EU+ countries contributed to the decline, along with increased emigration rates.
The statistics suggest that many individuals who arrived during or shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic have since returned to their home countries, particularly those who came on study visas.
The most significant decrease occurred in work-related immigration among primary applicants, which fell by 108,000—a 49 percent year-on-year reduction. Study-related immigration dropped by 17 percent, while the number of study dependents saw the steepest decline at 86 percent.
Judy Austin, wife of Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie, has been delivered of a baby girl, the third child the duo has together.
The couple named the new-born Universe Ifeyinwa Storm Yul Edochie.
The actor announced the birth on Instagram, expressing heartfelt gratitude to God for the blessing.
“We prayed, our fans prayed, and God answered. Rejoice with us as we welcome our beautiful daughter. Her name is UNIVERSE IFEYINWA STORM YUL EDOCHIE. Thank you, Lord,” he wrote.
The news came after a video Yul recently shared of Judy arriving at the labour room. The couple had previously announced their third pregnancy in February.
Yul, known for his playful candour, had earlier likened himself to football star Cristiano Ronaldo, joking about his fertility and expressing a desire to have five more children with Judy.
DAILY POST reports that Yul and Judy’s relationship has been in the public spotlight since 2022, when it became known while Yul was still married to his first wife, May Edochie.
Despite the controversies, the couple continues to share updates on their growing family.
A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced a man, Okoli Frank Emeka, to six months imprisonment for tampering with and trampling on Nigerian currency during a social function.
The conviction followed Emeka’s guilty plea to a one-count charge of Naira mutilation brought against him by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The sentence was handed down on Friday, May 23, 2025.
According to a statement issued by the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the charge stemmed from an incident that occurred on August 18, 2024, at Al-moruf Garden in the Isheri Olofin area of Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos.
The charge read: “That you, Okoli Frank Emeka, on the 18th day of August, 2024, at Al-moruf Garden, Isheri Olofin, Alimosho Local area of Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst matching on the Naira notes during a social occasion, tampered with the sum of N2,000,000.00 (Two Million Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria, by matching on the same at the said occasion and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.”
Following Emeka’s plea, prosecution counsel Z.B. Atiku presented the case through EFCC investigative officer Sa’id Sada Sani, who detailed the agency’s probe.
Sani told the court that the EFCC launched an intelligence-led investigation after a viral video showed the defendant defacing currency notes.
“A surveillance was carried out, leading to the arrest of the defendant on May 15, 2025,” Sani stated.
“He was shown a video of him spraying the money and he made a statement regarding it.”
Video evidence and a written statement by the defendant were admitted as exhibits by the court.
Atiku urged the court to convict and sentence the defendant based on the evidence presented.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke convicted Emeka and sentenced him to six months in prison, with an option of a N250,000 fine.
President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, said he was expecting more politicians to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The President, who said he was happy with what his administration and the party had achieved, said he did not expect people to remain in “a sinking ship without a life jacket.”
He said defection was part of the game.
According to a statement on Thursday by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the President spoke at the APC Renewed Hope Agenda Summit, held at the State House Conference Centre on Thursday.
Tinubu addressed party leaders, the National Working Committee, the leadership of the National Assembly, and the Progressive Governors’ Forum, which comprises 22 governors.
All of them collectively endorsed him for a second term.
The President said his administration’s focus on economic reforms for long-term gains has continued to receive positive reviews from within and outside the country.
“A one-party system is not suitable for democracy. We are one party ruling and carrying on with the aspirations of Nigerians.
“You don’t expect people to remain in a sinking ship without a life jacket. I am happy with what we have accomplished and expecting more people to come; that’s the game,” he was qouted as saying.
The President said citizens have the constitutional right to choose between associations.
“I thank every one of you. I am thoroughly inspired. We are just halfway through the journey that started 24 months ago,” he said.
The President thanked members of the Federal Executive Council for courageously pursuing the vision of a better Nigeria and the party leadership and National Assembly for their support.
“Together, we pledged to confront Nigeria’s challenges head-on by rebuilding the trust, fostering prosperity and restoring our nation’s economic quest.
“Today, I am proud to affirm that our economic reforms are working. Nothing good comes easy in life. All of you have been through life, and sometimes, only hard decisions can make things easy in the future.
“We couldn’t just afford to spend the future of our children and unborn babies.
“Through our Renewed Hope Agenda, our administration pledged to tackle economic instability, improve security nationwide, reduce corruption, reform governance, and lift our people out of poverty.
“How fast could you have rebuilt this country? If you allow the arbitrage in the exchange rate to continue, that is the grandfather of corruption. You could see EFCC recover over seven hundred and fifty-something houses from one person,” he said.
The President admitted that the reforms were tough decisions but assured Nigerians they were necessary.
“Yes, we encountered challenges when we assumed office in May 2023, but we have made progress by implementing difficult, long overdue but necessary economic reforms.
“We have eliminated the arbitrage-driven multiple foreign exchanges, and our far-reaching tax reforms are coming.
“Because of the reforms, our country now attracts foreign direct investments that will ultimately create jobs and produce much-needed goods and services that will significantly improve the standard of living of our people,” he said.
In his remarks, the Progressives Governors Forum Chairman and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, said the President had provided inspiring and visionary leadership and deserved a second term in 2027.
He thus moved a motion passing a vote of confidence in the President and endorsing him for the 2027 race, which was seconded by the Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, also praised the President for purposeful and inclusive leadership.
The leaders of the National Assembly said they would support the President for a second term in office and also moved a motion to endorse him.
The APC Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, who led the NWC members to endorse President Tinubu for a second term, said the President would be the party’s sole candidate for the 2027 presidential elections.
“I urge all members to reject internal sabotage. Engage communities, listen to citizens, and build a political structure beyond elections,” the former Kano governor added.
Ganduje urged members to renew their commitment to the principles that united the party and inspired its formation.
“Let us rally behind President Bola Tinubu, support our policies, and deliver the Renewed Hope Nigerians rightfully deserve,” he stated.
PUNCH Online reports that the ruling party convened the summit to review the administration’s two-year performance across key economic sectors, including health, infrastructure and security.
Teenagers said to be students of Unity Model School, Asaba, Delta State, were reportedly forced to sit for one of their WAEC exams late in the evening, and they had to use torchlight since the school was without a power supply.
According to a video circulating online, the students in the exam hall were recorded by an unknown woman.
In the video, the woman is heard condemning the officials for putting the students through such.
The woman claimed the exam was supposed to be held by 2pm, but the officials only brought the exam papers by 6pm.
By the time the students sat for the exam, it was already dark. As the school did not have power, a torchlight had to be stationed in the classroom.
“It’s not OK,” the woman is heard saying of the children’s plight.
She added that even during her time, when lanterns were common, they were not subjected to such.
Media
Two former Vice Presidents—Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo, on Friday, paid a courtesy visit to a former Minister of Interior and ex-Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, at his country home in Ilesa, Osun State.
The visit comes just hours ahead of the coronation of the 49th Owa Obokun and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, scheduled to hold today in Ilesa.
PUNCH Online had earlier reported that the Osun State High Court sitting in Ilesa, on Thursday, refused to stop the coronation.
Atiku confirmed the visit in a post shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, accompanied by a video clip showing the leaders in cheerful conversation over a morning meal.
He wrote, “Breakfast time at the residence of former Governor of Osun State, Engr Rauf Aregbesola.”
Meanwhile, PUNCH Online cannot authoritatively verify the purpose of the former VP Atiku, Sambo and other members of his entourage to Aregbesola’s residence.
Seen in the video warmly receiving the entourage of the two former Vice Presidents alongside Aregbesola were prominent Osun political figures, including former APC Chairman in Osun State, Lowo Adebiyi; and Chairman of Omoluabi Progressives, Alhaji Azeez Adesiji.
Others include: the former Secretary to the State Government, Moshood Adeoti; and former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Najeem Salaam, highlighting the strong presence of the Aregbesola political camp at the gathering.
Atiku’s arrival in Ondo
In an earlier post from Akure Airport in Ondo State, Atiku also acknowledged the warm reception he received upon arrival for the monarch’s coronation.
Atiku, however, wrote, “I was warmly received by stakeholders on arrival at the Akure Airport in Ondo State, ahead of the coronation of the 49th HRH Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup today.”
The visit, though informal, is already being widely interpreted as a politically symbolic meeting, with comments and reactions to the post which was also shared to his Facebook account noting the significance of such a high-powered trio—Atiku, Sambo, and Aregbesola—convening in the build-up to Nigeria’s 2027 political horizon.
More updates to follow from Ilesa as dignitaries continue to arrive for the coronation.
The coronation, which will be held at Obokungbusi Hall, Ilesa, with the reception taking place on the premises of Ilesa Grammar School,.
Media
Four family members have died after consuming a poisonous spaghetti.
It was gathered that three children were among those that died in the Magama Jibia area of Katsina State.
The victims—Hussaina Ayuba, Ahmed Ayuba, and Nana Ayuba—were confirmed dead at the Jibia General Hospital after reportedly consuming a meal of spaghetti. A fourth victim, 12-year-old Hafsat Ayuba, is currently receiving treatment and is said to be responding well to medical care.
The incident was disclosed in a post by security and counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama via his verified X account. According to Makama, the victims were rushed to the hospital shortly after consuming the meal but succumbed to the effects while undergoing treatment.
In a twist that suggests foul play, a 20-year-old woman identified as Fatima Abdulkadir, who allegedly prepared the food, has been arrested by the police alongside two other unnamed suspects.
“The sources disclosed that Fatima Abdulkadir, who prepared the spaghetti noodles allegedly consumed by the victims, along with two others, has been arrested in connection with the incident,” Makama stated.
Authorities have since visited the scene, and an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause and circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The bodies of the deceased have been released to their relatives for burial according to Islamic rites.
The Labour Party (LP) in Abia State has debunked reports that Governor Alex Otti is backing President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid for the 2027 general elections.
This comes after the Minister of Works, David Umahi, on Tuesday, asserted that all five governors from the South-East, regardless of their political affiliations, supported President Tinubu’s second-term ambitions.
Speaking in Umuahia on Thursday, the Abia State Chairman of the Labour Party, Emmanuel Otti, dismissed the minister’s statement as speculative.
“No, he (Umahi) didn’t say Governor Otti and the other South-East governors are supporting the President’s re-election in 2027. What he said was, ‘they will.’ Umahi was simply making a postulation,” Otti clarified.
Otti emphasised that Governor Otti had not communicated any official stance on the matter to the party, stating that it remained mere speculation.
“The governor has not told us anything like that. So for now, it remains speculation. We didn’t hear it from the governor—Umahi merely postulated,” Otti explained.
In response to Governor Otti’s invitation to President Tinubu to inaugurate the Port Harcourt Road in Aba, the Labour Party Chairman stressed that the invitation was purely an official one.
He explained, “That is the official function of the President. He is the President of the country, and commissioning projects is part of his statutory role. Abia is part of Nigeria, and therefore it is within the President’s jurisdiction to visit and perform such functions.”
On whether Governor Otti or President Tinubu may make political statements during the President’s upcoming visit, Mazi Otti said he would not speculate on the matter.
“I wouldn’t preempt either the governor or the President. Let’s wait and see what they say when the President visits,” Otti stated
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has condemned the All Progressives Congress (APC) for adopting President Bola Tinubu as its sole candidate for the 2027 elections just two years into his term, calling the move a desperate attempt to cling to power amid growing public discontent.
In a statement by its National Secretary, Peter Ameh, CUPP argued that the early endorsement signals deep unease within the APC and a disconnect from Nigerians struggling with harsh economic realities.
Ameh said: “This adoption does not reflect the will of the Nigerian people, whose votes will ultimately decide the election.
“It stems from fear of rejection by an electorate burdened by economic hardship.”
He added that Nigerians view this move as an attempt to undermine democracy and warned that the people remain united in resisting any effort to rig or manipulate the 2027 polls.
“We call on all Nigerians to stay vigilant in defending our democracy. The 2027 elections will be a defining moment, and the people’s will must not be subverted,” the statement concluded
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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said he is not planning to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), despite ongoing talks about a new opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
His spokesperson, Paul Ibe, made the statement on Thursday while speaking on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television.
According to Ibe, Atiku is committed to the PDP and has already made that clear.
“My principal has said that he wasn’t leaving the PDP and you have to respect what he has said. I don’t need to come here to speak about it. It is an issue he has spoken of,” Ibe stated.
He also confirmed that Atiku has been holding talks with other opposition figures, including former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
“There is an ongoing discussion between Atiku Abubakar and some opposition leaders like Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai. Yes, it’s out there in the open. Discussion is still ongoing. At the end of that discussion, they will come out with a position and a direction that we’re going to follow based on the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.
“To also answer your question, yes, Peter Obi and Atiku are involved. And they are also talking,” he added.
Recall that last month, the PDP Governors Forum announced that the party would not join any coalition or alliance with other opposition parties
A former Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Political Affairs, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has demanded explanation on ₦6.93 trillion allegedly padded into the 2025 budget.
Naija News reported that non-governmental civic and transparency organisation, BudgIT Nigeria, alleged that the 10th National Assembly (NASS) inserted 11,122 projects worth ₦6.93 trillion in the 2025 budget.
BudgIT said analysis showed that 238 projects valued above ₦5 billion each, with a cumulative value of ₦2 trillion, were inserted with little to no justification.
According to BudgIT, 984 projects worth ₦1.71 trillion and 1,119 projects within the range of ₦500 million to ₦1 billion, totaling ₦641.38 billion, were indiscriminately inserted.
The report published on Tuesday stated that a closer look showed that 3,573 projects worth ₦653.19 billion were assigned directly to federal constituencies and 1,972 projects worth ₦444.04 billion to senatorial districts.
Reacting to BudgIT’s report, Baba-Ahmed said NASS and the Presidency have to explain to Nigerians how trillions were inserted into the budget.
He also advised the federal government to sue BudgIT if it claims the latter’s report was false.
“NASS and the Presidency should sue BudgIT for reporting the insertion of trillions into the 2025 budget if its claim amounts to falsehood. The alternative suggests accepting the genuineness of the published findings. In any case, govt owes Nigerians an explanation,” he wrote on his ? handle on Thursday.
‘If a senator defects, he loses his seat’ — Akpabio’s old post resurfaces as defections rock Senate
AFOLABI
A past statement credited to Senate President Godswill Akpabio has resurfaced online amid a wave of defections currently rocking the Nigerian Senate.
The statement, believed to be from November 2016 when Akpabio was a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declared that any senator who defects from the party on whose platform they were elected must forfeit their seat.
“As lawmakers, Senators must not encourage political rascality. That is why PDP Senators today staged a walkout to protest the purported defection of Senator Yele Omogunwa, who was elected on the platform of the PDP but claimed he wants to defect to the APC to support the Governor-elect of his state. The constitution is clear on this: if a Senator defects to another political party, he loses his seat,” Akpabio posted on his official Facebook page at the time.
Nearly a decade later, Akpabio, now Senate President under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), is under fire for allegedly shielding senators defecting from opposition parties, particularly the PDP, into the APC fold.
In recent weeks, the Senate has witnessed a string of high-profile defections from the PDP to the APC. On May 9, 2025, all three serving PDP senators from Kebbi State announced their defection to the APC after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The defecting senators are Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North) and Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South).
In February, Ned Nwoko, the senator representing Delta North, also formally joined the APC.
Despite these defections, Akpabio has not called for any of the senators’ seats to be declared vacant, drawing criticism and accusations of double standards.
In a symbolic protest reminiscent of Akpabio’s 2016 stance, PDP senators recently walked out of plenary in protest, demanding that the Senate leadership uphold constitutional provisions and address what they described as “legislative banditry”.
Speaking on behalf of the protesting lawmakers, Senator Abba Moro (Benue South) said: “We cannot stand by and watch as the sanctity of our democratic institutions is eroded by political expediency. If the Senate President once believed in protecting party mandates, he must now prove it by his actions.”
The resurfaced Facebook post has triggered widespread reactions, with many Nigerians accusing Akpabio of hypocrisy and questioning his consistency on constitutional matters
Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid, ignoring his father’s recent move to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Bello, a member of the House of Representatives for Kaduna North, was at the APC National Summit in Abuja, where Tinubu was endorsed as the party’s sole candidate for the 2027 election.
This comes after his father, Nasir El-Rufai, left the APC in March 2025, saying the party no longer reflects his values.
He joined the SDP and promised to unite the opposition to defeat APC in 2027.
Bello’s support for Tinubu has sparked reactions.
Activist Reno Omokri mocked the situation, saying, “If El-Rufai can’t convince his son to leave Tinubu, how will he convince Nigerians?”
The family’s political split deepened last year when another El-Rufai son, Bashir, attacked Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani on social media.
He said both would lose in 2027 and claimed the probe into his father over alleged mismanagement of N423 billion was politically motivated.
He tweeted, “Nobody is too big to be ‘elected out of office’ by the people. It will happen & wallahi nothing will happen. So forget all these intimidations flying up and down. Let us be patient.”