When the world was gripped by the salacious scandal involving former U.S. President Bill Clinton and White House intern Monica Lewinsky in the late 1990s, the fallout was immense. Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives, his credibility took a massive hit, and the incident remains one of the most talked-about political sex scandals in modern history. Now, contrast that with the unfolding drama between Nigeria’s Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a situation that would have triggered a political earthquake in any serious country. But in Nigeria, it is business as usual, because here, scandals don’t stick, and consequences are almost non-existent.

Without a doubt, the Clinton-Lewinsky Scandal demonstrates how far scandal serves as a lesson of accountability in a country where leaders are expected to be morally upright.

In fact, the Clinton-Lewinsky affair was not just a tabloid sensation; it was a moment that tested America’s political and moral fabric. When reports surfaced that Clinton had engaged in an inappropriate relationship with Lewinsky, the U.S. political establishment did not sweep it under the rug. Investigations followed, and Clinton was forced to face the consequences of his actions. His initial denials, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman”, turned out to be a lie, which led to charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. The U.S. House of Representatives moved to impeach him, and while he survived the Senate trial and completed his term, the scandal left a lasting stain on his presidency.

Now, let us imagine for a moment that this happened in Nigeria. Would there have been any accountability? Would the individual in question even bother to resign, let alone face any political consequence? The answer is a resounding and capital No. Nigeria has a long history of brushing off scandals, no matter how damning the evidence is. The Akpabio-Natasha saga is proof that no amount of disgrace or misconduct is enough to shake the foundations of power in this country. In fact, given Nigeria’s situation, particularly as defensive rallies and comments have started in favor of the former governor, former Senator, and the president of the Senate, the Akpabio/Natasha scandal is unarguably a saga without consequence.

The alleged inappropriate relationship between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been making rounds on social media, with allegations of impropriety, power abuse, and deep political entanglements. In any other country, such a scandal would lead to calls for resignation, a full-fledged investigation, and potential legal consequences. But in Nigeria, it is just another day in the political sphere.

Instead of a serious investigation, what we see is a combination of silence, denial, and counter-accusations. Nigerian politicians have mastered the art of navigating scandals without as much as a scratch. Even when they are caught red-handed, they know the public outcry will eventually die down, and life will go on as if nothing happened. Akpabio, like many before him, will likely ride this storm unscathed.

At this juncture, it is expedient to throw insight to why scandals mean nothing in Nigeria.  This is as there are several reasons why political scandals, no matter how grave, never seem to lead to any consequences in Nigeria.

First and foremost is that Nigeria’s political space is characterized with a culture of Impunity: In Nigeria, politicians are rarely held accountable for their actions. The justice system is weak, and the political elite is shielded by a network of corruption and patronage. This culture of impunity ensures that even the most damning allegations are dismissed with a shrug.

Secondly, short public memory pervades as Nigerians are no strangers to scandal fatigue. In fact, today’s outrage is tomorrow’s forgotten news. Political actors exploit this short memory span, knowing that no matter how serious the allegations, something else will come along to distract the public soon enough.

Also is the prevalence of ethnic and political bias. The moment a politician is caught in a scandal, their supporters immediately turn the issue into a tribal or partisan debate. Rather than focusing on the substance of the allegations, people rush to defend their “own,” making it impossible to hold individuals accountable.

In a similar vein, is lack of institutional checks and balances. Unlike in the U.S., where independent institutions like the media, judiciary, and Congress ensure that political misconduct is addressed, Nigeria lacks strong institutions capable of upholding accountability. Here, institutions are often used as tools to protect the powerful rather than to check their excesses.

Worst of all, in Nigeria, scandals are weaponized.  In this part of the world, scandals are not necessarily about seeking justice or accountability; they are often politically motivated. Accusations only gain traction when it serves someone else’s agenda, and once that agenda is met, the case disappears. If the Akpabio-Natasha case serves no political purpose for the opposition or media, it will fade into oblivion.

Also, the Nigerian double standard cannot be pooh-poohed, and dismissed with mere wave of the hands in this context.  The foregoing view can be buttressed by opining that if Bill Clinton had been a Nigerian politician, the Lewinsky scandal would have been dismissed as a mere distraction. Instead of an impeachment trial, he would have remained in power, and his loyalists would have defended him with absurd justifications like, “Is he the first man to cheat?” or “Why are they attacking him? It is politically motivated!”

Even worse, Lewinsky herself would have been vilified. She would have been labeled a gold digger, accused of trying to bring down a great leader, and dismissed as an attention-seeker. Instead of holding the powerful accountable, the blame would be shifted to the victim or whistleblowers. To reinforce the foregoing view, it is germane to recall that statements which gave defamatory impression that Akpoti-Uduaghan thinks that being a lawmaker was about “pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the chambers” had been made, and which compelled Natasha to file a suit filed before the Federal Capital Territory High Court on February 25, 2025, wherein she listed the President of the Senate, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Akpabio’s Senior Legislative Aide, Mfon Patrick, as the second and third defendants, respectively.

In fact, the Akpabio/Natasha scandal, like many before it, will eventually be swept under the rug. No resignations, no serious investigations, and certainly no consequences. The Nigerian political system is designed in a way that allows the elite to get away with almost anything, no matter how scandalous.

Until Nigerians demand accountability, nothing will change. Scandals will continue to mean nothing, and politicians will continue to operate with impunity. If Clinton had been Nigerian, he would not have lost a single night’s sleep over Lewinsky. And if Akpabio were American, his career would likely be over. But this is Nigeria, where anything goes, and nothing ever happens.

The controversy surrounding the estate of former Access Bank CEO, Herbert Wigwe, has taken a new turn as his sister, Joyce Wigwe, publicly accused his longtime associate, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, of attempting to “manipulate” Herbert Wigwe’s will and obstructing transparency in the legal proceedings.

Joyce has also raised suspicions of foul play regarding the circumstances leading to her brother’s tragic plane crash.

In an interview with TV360, Joyce detailed what she described as questionable actions by Aig-Imoukhuede in the handling of her brother’s estate, including an alleged lack of transparency in the reading of the will, unexplained discrepancies in legal filings, and undue influence over key family members.

Claims of a Secretive Will Reading 

Joyce Wigwe claimed that the reading of Herbert Wigwe’s will was conducted under dubious circumstances, with key family members deliberately excluded.

“It later became clear that there had been ongoing discussions about Herbert’s will, but we were only informed in September that a will existed and was going to be read,” she said. “However, my father was deliberately sent abroad by Aig Imoukhuede just before the reading.” 

• According to her, their 90-year-old father, who was receiving medical treatment in Austria, was caught off guard when he received a message from Aig-Imoukhuede stating, “We’re about to read the will.” The news came as a shock, as no other family member had been informed of the will’s existence before that moment.
• Joyce alleged that her father, already in a vulnerable state, immediately contacted Herbert’s younger brother, Emeka Wigwe, who was equally surprised. When Emeka questioned Aig-Imoukhuede about why he and Joyce had been excluded from the reading, he received no clear response.

Emeka, deeming their exclusion highly irregular, refused to participate believing that the family deserved proper representation. Despite these objections, the will was read in their absence.

What she explained 

Upon finally obtaining a copy of the will through legal means, Joyce said the family was alarmed by numerous irregularities.

“The will was only three pages long—an extremely unusual length for an estate of this magnitude,” she said. “It referenced a trust but failed to list any trust assets, there was no detailed breakdown of beneficiaries, and no supporting documents were attached.” 

• Another troubling discovery was the existence of an 18-page version of the will filed in Florida, while only a three-page version had been submitted in Nigeria.

“Why wasn’t the full document filed in Nigeria?” Joyce questioned.

• Further investigations revealed that a legal settlement had taken place in Florida, where Betty Blanco—originally named as a personal representative—was paid millions of dollars to step aside. The family, she said, had not been informed of this payout.
• When the document was later filed in Nigeria, Blanco’s name was removed, and another individual, Uche Wigwe, their cousin, was next in line instead.

“We also discovered that the document had been filed for probate in Lagos, raising further concerns about its authenticity and completeness. It became clear that there was an attempt to manipulate the estate process without proper disclosure to the entire family. 

“Upon checking the records, we found that the will was dated sometime in 2013. To determine whether it had been officially lodged, we visited the Florida court. If Herbert had intended for the will to have general applicability, especially since his primary domicile was in Nigeria, he would have filed it in Lagos. However, it wasn’t lodged there.”

Her suspicion of foul play concerning Herbert’s death 

In addition to concerns over the will, Joyce raised questions about the events leading up to Herbert Wigwe’s untimely death in a helicopter crash in the U.S. earlier this year.

“We also cannot ignore how all of this started. Herbert was not a major Super Bowl fan—he was more of a polo fan. What exactly made him take that trip? Who organized it? Why was a company that had previously been deemed negligent chosen for the travel arrangements?” 

• According to Joyce, Aig-Imoukhuede was responsible for organizing the trip. She demanded to know why a company with a history of safety concerns had been selected, hinting at potential negligence or undisclosed motives.

“We understand that Aig ihmoukede was responsible for organizing the trip. Why did he select a company that had already been flagged for negligence?” 

• One of the most contentious aspects of the dispute is the guardianship of Herbert Wigwe’s daughter, Tochi. Joyce expressed deep concerns about the decision to entrust the management of the estate to a 25-year-old, arguing that such a role requires significant legal and financial expertise.

Joyce further stated that Tochi needed permission to even speak to family members and asked why Aig-Imoukhuede, if he genuinely cared about the children, would prevent them from receiving the best possible advice and support.

What people are saying 

Following Dr. Joyce Wigwe’s revelations, the interview sparked widespread discussion online, with many questioning the circumstances surrounding Herbert Wigwe’s estate and the guardianship of his children. Social media users expressed deep concerns over the alleged exclusion of immediate family members from critical proceedings and raised suspicions about the role of Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede in managing the late banker’s affairs.

• A user identified as @Uchekc remarked on what he perceived as manipulation, particularly regarding Herbert Wigwe’s daughter, Tochi:

“The Tochi of a girl is being manipulated against her family members. This interview is mind-blowing, and without even listening to it, I already knew something was fishy. Why are the minors being kept away from their immediate relatives? How could Aig go to Isiokpo without paying homage to Herbert’s parents? What are they hiding or trying to hide from his parents and siblings?” 

• Another commenter, @judeumeh5390, echoed similar concerns, arguing that the Wigwe family, rather than external parties, should be entrusted with the management of Herbert Wigwe’s legacy:

“This woman and her parents are absolutely right. The family is more than capable of handling this situation better than any friend or outsider. This is purely a family matter, and as Herbert’s father, his rights should be respected. No one knows if he has been offering guidance all along, but it seems the advice is being ignored. Unfortunately, many wolves disguise themselves as sheep, and only time will reveal their true nature. Friends can betray even when someone is alive—what more when they are gone? Transparency is needed in this case.” 

• Dr. Joyce Wigwe’s advocacy also found support from @drtrishmd, who commended her for speaking out:

“Thank you for shedding light on this issue. It has been a truly difficult experience, but Dr. Joyce has handled herself remarkably well. She is asking the right questions and should naturally be on the same side as her niece. However, the other side has strategically turned her into a pawn. May truth prevail.” 

• Meanwhile, @Bori-e4t questioned the apparent shift in Tochi’s relationship with her grandparents, implying that external influences may be at play:

“Why would a child suddenly turn away from her grandparents? The way Aig is handling this situation is highly suspicious.” 

Some context 

The family initially requested that legal proceedings surrounding the estate remain private to protect the children from public scrutiny. However, their request was denied, with the opposing party insisting on making the proceedings public.

Joyce Wigwe insists that the family is not trying to take anything from Tochi but merely wants transparency and accountability. She argues that, given the scale of Herbert Wigwe’s estate and the financial complexities involved, a more structured and informed approach is necessary to protect the best interests of his children.

What we know 

Earlier reports suggested that Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, the father of the late Herbert Wigwe, had become embroiled in a legal battle over a share of his son’s estate.

It was alleged that he had filed a caveat at the Probate Registry, seeking to challenge the distribution of Herbert’s wealth, which had been exclusively designated for his children. However, this recent interview by Joyce Wigwe strongly refuted these claims, stating that her father’s priority has always been to ensure fairness and transparency in handling Herbert’s estate.

In light of these unfolding events, former Access Bank CEO Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede—who has been accused of tampering with Herbert’s will and withholding vital information from the family—is yet to release an official statement addressing the allegations.

Backstory 

Herbert Wigwe, the former CEO of Access Bank, tragically passed away in a helicopter crash on February 9, 2024, at 57 years old. The fatal accident occurred near Halloran Springs, California, killing him, his wife, Chizoba, their son, Chizi, and business associate, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX).

The helicopter, identified as an Airbus EC130, was en route from Palm Springs, California, to Boulder City, Nevada, when it crashed under mysterious circumstances. Reports initially suggested that the poor weather conditions and pilot error might have contributed to the crash.

[Nairametrics]

Veteran Nollywood actress, Ayo Adesanya, has opened up on how her abusive marriage negatively affected her.

Speaking in an interview with Chude Jideonwo, the thespian disclosed that the abuse she experienced in her crashed marriage turned her into an alcoholic.

Adesanya narrated how her ex-husband stopped her from acting and threatened to pluck out her eyes with a knife.

The actress said she was abused for 10 years and could not leave because of the shame of people saying she couldn’t keep a man.

She said, “Anywhere my ex-husband saw me, he would beat me.

“He beat me so much that I became an alcoholic. But I couldn’t leave because of the shame of people saying I couldn’t keep a man.”

Meanwhile, Nigerian media personality, Daddy Freeze, has defended Nigerian singer, Damini Ogulu, professionally known as Burna Boy, over the ongoing Lamborghini saga with popular socialite, Sophia Egbueje.

Naija News reports that Sophia, in a leaked audio online, called out Burna Boy for failing to fulfil his promise after sleeping with her.

She claimed that the Grammy award-wining singer promised her a Lamborghini in exchange for sex.

Amid the controversy the issue had generated online, Burna Boy released a mocking video, questioning why a certain individual is angry over his failure to buy a Lamborghini.

However, reacting to the drama in a video via his Instagram page on Friday, Daddy Freeze backed Burna Boy for scoping Sophia to get intimate with her.

He advised women to stop selling their bodies in exchange for a Lamborghini.

He said, “Women, please stop selling your body for a Lamborghini. And please, men, una no get action? Una no fit talk to women? Which one is Lamborghini?”

“Una wan sleep with a woman and she’s requesting a Lamborghini in exchange. Burna Boy, correct guy, you try. Burst them. The government needs to look into this. It cannot be okay for a girl to believe that she can get a car or a house by sleeping with a guy.”

Captioning the video, he wrote: “Lambo Lamba. Burna did well. Never press money when you can scope. The government needs to step in and stop this sex-for-Lambo-style drama.”

[NaijaNews]

Chairman, Governance Advisory Council (GAC) in Lagos State, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, has opened up on the controversy in the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Speaking for the first time since the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker and election of Mojisola Meranda on January 13, 2025, the APC leader stated that whereas the lawmakers have no absolute powers to remove or install their leaders, neither the GAC nor the party was consulted.

Daily Trust reports that both Obasa and Meranda are now laying claim to the Speakership of the House of Assembly.

The GAC is the highest decision making organ of the APC which has held series of meetings with the aggrieved lawmakers since the crisis started.

Speaking with newsmen, Olusi said, “Members of the GAC are not members of the Lagos State House of Assembly to allegedly be behind the removal of Obasa. It can’t be true.

“We read it also that morning. The lawmakers carried it out without consulting the party and those of us in the GAC. That is our position.

“We invited all of them and insisted that all of them are products of the party. They lodged their complaints and we listened to them.

“I blamed them for one thing and that is for not lodging the complaints earlier before the party. It is for the party to decide, they (lawmakers) have no absolute power to remove and install their leaders.

“Nobody can become a member of the House of Assembly unless sponsored by a political party and the sponsors are the inspectors.”

He however added that discussions were ongoing to resolve the crisis.

“The problem is the speaker (Obasa) and his colleagues which had led to his removal. It is a disputer among them.

“Currently, there is a high powered committee of the party led by Chief Bisi Akande and members, including Aremo Olusegun Osoba, and former APC National Vice Chairman, South-west, Chief Pius Akinyelure and others,

“They are working and making efforts to resolve the matter. I know they are in consultation with the House of Assembly, Obasa and the other Speaker, Mrs Mojisola Lasbat Meranda.

“Those of us in the GAC and the Chairman of the Party, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi are doing all within our power to assist the committee,” he added.

[Daily Trust]

The battle between the Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,band the National Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, has taken a legal dimension as the Abia State High Court sitting at Obehie, Ukwa West LGA, has stopped the enforcement of the suspension of the former Senate President as BoT Chairman.

Justice L.T.C. Eruba, who presided over the matter between Adolphus Wabara and Abraham Amah, restrained Abraham Amah from laying claims to the Abia State chairmanship of the PDP and also restrained him from enforcing the said suspension of Wabara.

In the suit marked HUK/8/2025, Wabara is seeking the order of the court to restrain the defendant from enforcing the purported suspension.

Granting the prayers of the claimant, the court ordered: “The defendant is restrained from enforcing the suspension of the claimant/applicant from the Peoples Democratic Party, or in any way affecting his position as the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the PDP till the motion on notice is determined.”

Amah, while announcing Wabara’s suspension, accused the BoT Chairman of anti-party activities, citing praises for Governor Alex Otti’s performance as one of Wabara’s alleged sins.

Meanwhile, a group, PDP Frontiers for Change and Progress, has denied the claims made by a former Commissioner for Information, Abia State, John Okiyi Kalu, where Okiyi alleged that Adolphus Wabara held a secret meeting with Governor Alex Otti in London to discuss Otti’s possible defection to the PDP.

The National Coordinator of the PDP pro-group, Mr Emeka Yellow Ikpegbu, challenged the former commissioner to provide evidence of the alleged Wabara-Otti London meeting.

The H-1B visa programme plays a key role in the U.S. job market, enabling companies to address labour shortages in specialized fields requiring foreign workers.

It was created to help tech firms in the United States address labor shortages, allowing them to temporarily hire nonimmigrant workers to fill roles related to areas like computer programming or engineering.

Today, the nation’s largest companies continue to use the H-1B visa program, gathering some of their employees from other countries to curate a workforce that matches their needs.

Here is a list of top U.S. companies that sponsored H-1B visas:

1. Amazon

As a leader in e-commerce and cloud computing, Amazon continues to expand its workforce globally. The company emphasizes diversity and inclusion, operating 11 employee resource groups and making significant contributions to social justice organizations. In 2024, Amazon had 9,265 H-1B visas approved.

2. Infosys

With a workforce of over 323,000, Infosys remains a dominant player in digital services and IT consulting. The company promotes cross-cultural collaboration through initiatives like Culture Chat. Infosys secured 8,140 H-1B visa approvals in 2024.

3. Cognizant

A major force in digital solutions, Cognizant employs over 340,000 professionals worldwide. Due to its global presence, the company has a strong history of H-1B sponsorship, receiving 6,321 approvals in 2024.

4. Google

As a tech giant with employees across six continents, Google continuously strengthens its diversity and inclusion efforts. In 2024, the company had 5,364 H-1B visa applications approved.

5. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)

With over 601,000 employees worldwide, TCS is a global IT powerhouse. The company actively promotes inclusive hiring practices, particularly in Latin America, and had 5,274 H-1B visa approvals in 2024.

6. Meta

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, continues to attract global talent. In 2024, Meta had 4,844 H-1B visas approved.

7. Microsoft

A leader in software and cloud computing, Microsoft has been enhancing its diversity initiatives over the past decade. The company secured 4,725 H-1B visa approvals in 2024.

8. Apple

Apple has ramped up its diversity efforts, launching the $100 million Racial Equity and Justice Initiative. The company had 3,873 H-1B visa approvals in 2024.

9. HCL Technologies

With offices in 60 countries and over 220,000 employees, HCL Technologies is a strong advocate for workplace inclusion. In 2024, HCL America had 2,953 H-1B visa approvals.

As one of the oldest names in tech, IBM continues to foster international talent. The company employs professionals from various global regions and had 2,906 H-1B visa approvals in 2024.

11. Cisco

A Silicon Valley staple, Cisco operates on a global scale, with over 90,000 employees worldwide. The company had 1,330 H-1B visa approvals in 2024.

12. Capgemini

A Paris-based IT leader with a strong global footprint, Capgemini employs more than 300,000 people across 50+ countries. In 2024, the company secured 2,795 H-1B visa approvals.

13. Accenture

Serving clients in over 120 countries, Accenture is a key player in IT consulting. The company had 2,157 H-1B visa approvals in 2024, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

14. Ernst & Young (EY)

A global consulting and auditing firm, EY is a champion of diversity and inclusion, earning international recognition for its efforts. The firm continues to support global hiring initiatives through H-1B visa sponsorship.

15. MobilityWare

A mobile gaming company known for its card and puzzle games, MobilityWare employs professionals across various fields and regularly sponsors H-1B visas for its workforce.

16. Oracle

Since its inception during the 1970s, cloud technology provider Oracle has become an international household name. Presenting an employee base that exceeds 160,000, the company hosts a range of diversity and inclusion initiatives and focuses on strengthening its international standing. Oracle is one of many tech powerhouses that sponsors H-1B visas, and received approval for 2,070 H-1B visas in 2024.

17. Capgemini

IT innovator Capgemini may not be a Silicon Valley original, but the Paris-based company has undoubtedly made an impact on the world’s tech scene. The company boasts over 300,000 employees across more than 50 countries, making it a global tech leader. In 2024, the company had 2,795 H-1B visas approved.

18. Qualcomm

Networking business Qualcomm has earned a reputation as one of the tech world’s most impactful companies. With over 170 offices in almost 30 countries, the company has begun amplifying its diversity and inclusion initiatives and has even established a Diversity Task Force to keep track of these measures. It received approval for 1,122 H-1B visas in 2024.

19. Accenture

IT services company Accenture has broadened its global reach since its founding in 1989. The company serves clients in more than 120 countries, making it a truly international organization. Accenture has a history of sponsoring H-1B visas, winning approvals for 2,157 visas in 2024, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.

20. JPMorganChase

JPMorganChase serves clients in areas like investment banking, wealth management and financial technology. With a workforce covering 65 countries, JPMorganChase touts that 49 percent of global new hires are women and 58 percent of U.S. new hires are racially or ethnically diverse. The company supports its workforce with programs dedicated to employees who are Black, Hispanic or Latino, military veterans and living with disabilities. 

[TheNation]

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has urged the Federal Government to prioritise improving existing road infrastructure in the country over building new ones.

Obi disclosed this in a post on X.com on Saturday, citing the tanker explosion that occurred on the Ilorin-Jebba expressway in Kwara State on Friday.

PUNCH Online reports that a preliminary investigation revealed that the tanker, which was conveying 33,000 litres of petrol, colluded with a truck that was loaded with fertilizer, causing a fuel spill that ignited the fire.

In his post, the former Anambra State governor stated that a greater percentage of road accidents are “caused by the deplorable condition of our road infrastructure.”

He wrote, “The tragic collision on February 28, 2025, along the Ilorin-Jebba expressway in Kwara State, which claimed over 60 lives, is a heartbreaking reminder of the urgent need to prioritize the reconstruction of existing road infrastructure across the country, improve road safety, and regulate the transportation of hazardous materials, rather than embarking on new road infrastructure that might never be completed.

“The alarming frequency of such road traffic accidents demands immediate and decisive action to prevent further loss of innocent lives.

“I recently visited the site in Suleja, where over 100 people were burnt—a tragedy resulting from the poor state of the roads.”

Obi added that during his recent trip to Kafanchan, over three and a half hours were spent “navigating dangerous, death-trap roads, further underscoring the urgent need to improve existing road infrastructure.”

In his post, Obi extended his condolences to the victims’ families, urging the government and citizens to unite in building safer roads.

He wrote, “As we mourn this loss, I extend my condolences to the families and the good people of Kwara State. May God Almighty grant eternal rest to the departed and provide strength and comfort to their grieving loved ones.

“Through collective responsibility and unwavering commitment, we can prevent further senseless tragedies and work toward building a safer, more secure nation for everyone.”

[Punch]

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has called on Mrs. Unoma Akpabio, wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, to refrain from involving herself in the ongoing sexual harassment and intimidation allegations against her husband.

The dispute between the two parties has escalated in recent days, drawing national attention.

The conflict began when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan refused to sit in a designated seat during a Senate session, citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules.

Tensions heightened after she appeared on Arise News last Friday, accusing Senate President Akpabio of blocking her motions, maligning her character, and intimidating her following her alleged rejection of his sexual advances.

In response, Mrs. Akpabio held a press conference in Abuja, dismissing the allegations as baseless. She emphasized the long-standing cordial relationship between their families, which predated Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s marriage.

However, in a letter dated March 1, 2025, addressed to Mrs. Akpabio through her lawyer, Victor Giwa, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan urged her to stay out of the matter.

The letter, titled ‘Stay Away from Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Sexual Harassment and Intimidation Allegation Against Sen. President Godswill Akpabio; To Safeguard Your Sanity and That of Your Family,’ stressed that the allegations were personal to the Senate President and that he should be left to defend himself.

Akpoti-Uduaghan stated that she had endured harassment from Akpabio but was now compelled to speak out.

The letter read in part, “Our Client is not desirous of calling you out into the unfortunate saga concerning her allegations against the Senate President, and wishes that you restrain yourself from delving into the obscene circumstances. While she has tolerated all the harassment from the Senate President, she was constrained to reveal the unfortunate torture and victimization which she has been going through in the red chambers under the hand of the Senate President.”

The Senator further asserted that she had concrete evidence to substantiate her claims and urged Mrs. Akpabio to allow her husband to address the allegations independently.

“Our client has concrete evidence to substantiate her allegations. We will suggest that you leave the defense of the allegations for the Senate President to maintain your sanity and that of your family,” the letter added.

Akpoti-Uduaghan reaffirmed her commitment to defending Nigerian women and upholding family values,

“Our client remains resolute in the defense of Nigerian women and as a family woman, she will continue to maintain our common heritage and family values,” she stated.

[Vanguard]

Bukola Saraki, former senate president, has called for a transparent investigation into allegations at the heart of the clash between Godswill Akpabio and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. 

The fray between Akpabio, the senate president, and Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central, started over a recent seat re-arrangement in the red chamber.

Akpoti-Uduaghan fought fiercely against her new seat position following the re-arrangement, alleging that the move was an attempt to silence her.

The clash reached a crescendo on Friday after Akpoti-Uduaghan accused the senate president of making sexual advances towards her in his office and residence in Akwa Ibom.

“Mine is the case of a student being punished by a lecturer for refusing to sleep with him,” she said.

Who should we hold responsible for demonisation of democracy the iconic Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, once called ‘dem don crazy’, ‘demonstation of craze…’ in this country? It’s a time to speak truth not only to power that the majesty of democracy has been defiled. And so it is a time to ask whether democracy can be sustained to deliver the much-needed development to the most populous black nation on earth. Yes, it is a time to evaluate democracy we have been monitoring for 25 years because the main strength of its majesty, the rule of law, has become the rule of man, indeed the rule of only the ministers in the temple of justice. They are the ones who now determine who should occupy elective offices after elections. The Bar and Bench powers are the electorate, after all. And so we do not need to read law before awareness that where man alone rules without the law, there will be chaos and underdevelopment.

As a student, I read Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s book on, “The travails of democracy and the rule of law” but I did not understand the significance of that classic until now.
I have covered this dispensation of democracy as a senior journalist for almost 26 years, (since 1999). But I am beginning to conclude from its performance indices that this house (of democracy) has fallen not only because of the effects of those who ruled the country as “Federal Republic of the Nigerian Army” as general Chris Ali, former Army Chief captured in his book.

Democracy has failed us in Nigeria not only because of the effects of the unfavourable political economy of press freedom. Democracy appears to have lost its brand reputation not only because some of “soldiers of fortune” conspired and annulled our best election. Let’s do some introspection before the next 2027 plunge.

Behold, the man who should be held responsible for the collapse of democracy is called, “Mr. Complacency”! Yes Complacency, also known as “contentment”, “gratification”, “pleasure”, “civility”, “courtesy”. Really, the God of man, not any man of God, please, has revealed that yes; “Complacency” is the man, the stronghold that has ruined the majesty of democracy in this place. And here are the gifts of the strong man some World Bank’s development experts have just tagged “Civic Incompetence”: He is a sycophant. He does not like pen pushers who speak truth to power. He does not read. He is not discernible. He is perpetually afraid of any governing cabal that is ruthless and doesn’t tolerate the rule of law.
The prominent but insignificant man Complacency is perpetually filled with Epicurean spirit (loves pleasure and good life). He likes a little learning and so is ruled by intuition, not by learning or knowledge. Oh, he does not like the power that knowledge gives. He worships mediocrity in all his ways. He does not like anyone to peddle any excellence spirit in his domain. He doesn’t like to see law enforcement agents. The only adorable thing he likes is media trial of corrupt people where suspects are named and shamed before investigations.
And so the offspring of the limited man, Complacency are always reinforced in the system by the “economic man” who also has a cousin called the “administrative man”. Both men are not patriots, after all. They also do not care about gains that democracy can bring to the people. They work only for the gods of their bellies. And worse still, his expectations of the governing system are very low. According to a managerial economist, Ripunjay Tiwari, the “economic man” is purpose-driven. He is rational in that he can order his various preferences according to his hierarchy of values and then actually make his choice to maximise some desired value. To the “economic man”, there is complete awareness of various alternatives and the outcome of each alternative can be identified so that the alternative with the best outcome is selected.
It assumes that there is no limit on the collection of information and its processing. That is the way of the “economic man” who benefits from an atmospherics of the main man, Complacency.

In the same vein, the “administrative man” is a relation of the “economic man” in the kingdom of “Complacency”. According to Herbert Simon, a policy guru, the “administrative man” has only a limited, simplified view of problems confronting his society because he has only limited information. Besides, he does not have full knowledge of all the possible alternative solutions to the problems and their outcomes.

What is more, he does not have capacity to navigate the competitive environment and technical information therein.
Therefore, human and organisational limitations make it impossible for people to make perfectly rational decisions where the “economic man” and the “administrative man” dominate in a society ruled by Complacency. There are always ‘boundaries to rationality’ in such a milieu. Sadly, these men always seize power at the centre because democracy is fragile here.

That is why we have to sound the alarm that Mr. Complacency has to wake up from political stupor that the “economic man” and “the administrative man” would like us to remain in this age that the skilled young ones are daily disrupting with social technologies that help them to make progress.

I would like to challenge all the young ones below 40’s to be interested in this country that democracy and its drivers have relegated to one of the poorest on earth. Let no young one be deceived by the common public enemy called Complacency ruling everywhere you go in Nigeria. This democracy that has survived for only the “economic man” since 1999, cannot lead this country to greatness. Democracy is even unsafe at the moment.

This is a time to tell some home truth to the young ones from 30 and above too that they should print out the lyrics of the old national anthem and spring from their rhetoric in the social media to action, “lest we should be the last” as a Ghanaian writer, Kwesi Brew once warned us.

The old and the just rested national anthem should be their (call-to-action) weapon of social mobilisation so that the cursed democracy (since 1999) will be rescued. The young ones that successive generations, including mine have failed should brace up to take back their blessed country, which politicians have ruined with an atomic bomb they call democracy. There is some glimmer of hope in the architecture we can find in the rubble. And so, the young and vibrant ones should arise and obey Nigeria’s call. This is so because instead of fulfilling the pledge to Nigeria, to be faithful, loyal and honest, our leaders have become unfaithful, disloyal and dishonest in all the arms of government. Instead of “serving the country with all their strength”, they have been looting the country’s treasury with all their strength. Instead of defending her unity, they have been condoning “disunity” that the governing party’s leadership has been unleashing on the country with insufferable and unending “parochial appointments”.
There is neither honour, nor glory left for the citizens to cherish. Every day, young ones weep for the state of anomie in a country, where most of the leaders are virtually sleeping on duty. And as a foremost African writer, Ngugiwa Thiong’o notes, “Hope of a better tomorrow is the only comfort you can give to a weeping child”. In this case, there is no glimmer of hope of a better tomorrow beyond sloganeering. Almost twenty-six years of democracy has delivered only a man called Complacency to the nation.

The economy is a shambles. Electricity has always been around 4000 megawatts for the more than 200 + million people in 36 states and the nation’s capital. Generally, after 26 years of consistent democratisation, there are no good link roads from states to states.
Even the roads to the economic agencies including the Air and Sea Ports in the so-called economic capital of West Africa, Lagos are not remarkable. Democracy has only delivered private jets to the very prominent power elite who daily fly over bad roads that the people ply, suffering and smiling. As the roads have been left to God in heaven to fix, even the schools – from primary to university levels- are not institutions where innovations can be delivered to the citizens in the 21st century.
As for healthcare delivery, this column has been asking questions: why even the often sickly leaders, some of whom have died in office have not considered it expedient to fund even the University Teaching Hospital in Ibadan to a world class health centre where they can get medical services – as it used to be. Where is the ray of hope where ‘legislooters’, ‘execu-thieves’ and ‘judi-sharing’ as citizen journalists now call them, collaborate to protect their accused members in an enclave nurtured by complacency?
As we have seen through the ages as noted by a political thinker, James Laxar, democracy emerged in a particular historical and cultural context as a consequence of specific social, political and economic struggles. And yet, there has been no compelling evidence that there is a universal yearning for democracy in all cultures and social settings, and we can therefore dispense with the dubious proposition that democracy is an outgrowth of human nature.

And so the appetite for democracy arises not from political theory but from the tangible needs of millions of people. The young ones should note that above all, democracy is advanced by the success of political movements whose goal is to improve the lives of the majority of the population in a number of ways. This has not happened in our country.

Today, as Chinua Achebe noted in 1983, the trouble with Nigeria is still simply and squarely failure of leadership that has institutionalised corruption as a fundamental objective and directive principle of state policy. Doubtless, corruption that has incredibly given birth to mediocrity and hopelessness in the country. Part of the fallacies of democracy has just re-echoed in the centre of drama called Lagos. Yes Lagos where a former Speaker could break into the chambers he presided over for 10 years and declare himself Speaker with the help of our lawless police officers. Haba, democracy, where is your classic majesty?

And so to the young ones, don’t lose hope, organise. yes, organise. Don’t agonise anymore. This is the big data age. Get cracking in organising your data on how Nigeria’s power elite, politicians, civil servants and some morons called barons have demonised democracy as government of the corrupt few for their families and their in-laws. That is why the paralysed man called Complacency should be banished for democracy to be a pleasant conversation, a boon. And so, the young talents here should not allow the greedy kingmakers to cast a pearl called democratic leadership before a swine anymore, lest they continue to mess up our country. The weapon they always use is called Complacency. The cure for it is pursuit of civic competence: the power that knowledge and integrity can give to defeat fear of our “very bad people” who have within 25 years crashed democracy and are dancing on its grave.