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Nigerian actress and reality star, Annie Macaulay has broken her silence following alleged divorce from singer, 2baba.
Some months ago, 2Baba, in a now-deleted Instagram post, announced his divorce from Annie.
He went further to announce his engagement to Natasha Osawaru, a member of the Edo State House of Assembly.
Reacting to the development, Annie gave reasons for her silence.
Her words, “Silence isn’t weakness it’s peace. Since my divorce from Innocent Idibia, I chose to step back, reflect, and heal away from the noise. The truth is, not everything needs to be explained, and not every battle is meant to be fought in public”.
“Love, pain, lessons, and growth all come with life’s journey. I have embraced mine with grace, focusing on myself, my children, and the future ahead. Sometimes, silence speaks louder than words”.
The lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has tendered an apology to the former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, over an altercation at the Senate on Tuesday.
It was reported that during the Senate Ethics and Privileges Committee hearing on s3xual allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, and Ezekwesili engaged in verbal insults.
Ezekwesili told the Ebonyi North Senator and Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate to ‘shut up’, which caused Nwaebonyi to call her a ‘hooligan‘.
The former Minister also described him as a disgrace to the Senate; the Senator described her as a disgrace to womanhood.
On her ? handle, on Wednesday, the Kogi Central Senator lauded the former Minister of Solid Minerals for her commitment to integrity and courage.
She added that Ezekwesili took the insult for her (Natasha) and other women.
“Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Ma’am, I apologize for the insults. Know you took them for me… for us … as a mother and as a leader. Know that you are a true icon of integrity, courage, and visionary leadership. Your unwavering commitment to good governance, education and democracy continues to inspire generations. A champion of accountability…Nigerians appreciate you. I celebrate your brilliance, resilience and selfless service. You are a hero,” she wrote.
Reacting, Oby Ezekwesili stated that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan would never walk alone in her fight against the leadership of the Senate.
Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, senator representing Ebonyi north, says he ranks higher by “stratification” to Oby Ezekwesili.
He also expressed regret over his choice of words to Ezekwesili, former minister of education, during the senate ethics committee hearing on Tuesday.
Nwaebonyi and Ezekwesili traded words during the senate panel hearing on a fresh petition submitted by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended senator representing Kogi central.
The atmosphere grew tense when the former minister asked Nwaebonyi to shut up during the panel hearing.
The Ebonyi lawmaker had earlier criticised the former minister for first calling him a “hooligan” and ordering a serving senator to “shut up”.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, the deputy chief whip of the senate admitted that his remarks were inappropriate, taking into account Ezekwesili’s age.
Ezekwesili, the 61-year-old politician, served as the minister of solid minerals and the minister of education under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
“I must also say that I regret my choice of words towards her. She is old enough to be my mother,” Nwaebonyi said.
“However, her actions brought up my reaction. But having admitted publicly to what she said, I acknowledge that, and I commend her for it.”
Responding to whether such incidents deter female participation in politics, Nwaebonyi defended his record on encouraging women in politics.
“I’m one of those senators that has been supporting women’s emancipation and participation in politics,” he said.
“Respect is earned, not commanded. If you respect me, I respect you. If you yab me, I yab you.
“I am a senator of the Federal Republic by social stratification, I am higher than her in this country.
“She is supposed to respect me. She was a minister, but a senator is more senior than a minister.
“Respect is earned. She had no right to speak to me in that manner, telling me to shut up. That was immature.
“She got to her level by accident. But since she has now admitted publicly that she told me to shut up, I commend her for that.”
Late Tuesday, Ezekwesili admitted telling the lawmaker to shut up after the panel prevented them from speaking.
She added that Nwaebonyi’s reaction reflected the “indecorous behaviour” of some public officials in the country.
A bill seeking to empower the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to remove corrupt judges through a no-confidence vote, scaled second reading in the house of representatives on Tuesday.
Sponsored by Afam Ogene, a member of the Labour Party (LP) representing Ogbaru federal constituency of Anambra, the bill aims to alter sections 231, 238, 250, 256, and 271 of the 1999 constitution, which deal with the procedure for the removal of judges.
CURRENT LAW
Among other things, section 292 of the constitution states that “a judicial officer shall be removed from office in the case of chief justice of Nigeria, president of the court of appeal, chief judge of the federal high court, president of the national industrial court, chief judge of the high court of the federal capital territory (FCT), grand kadi of the Sharia court of appeal of the federal capital territory, and president of customary court of appeal of the federal capital territory, by the president acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the senate, praying that he be so removed for his inability to discharge the functions of his office or appointment (whether arising from infirmity of mind or of body) or for misconduct or contravention of the code of conduct.
“While the chief judge of a state, grand kadi of a Sharia court of appeal or president of a customary court of appeal of a state shall be removed from office by the governor acting on an address supported by a two-thirds majority of the house of assembly of the state.”
THE PROPOSED LAW
The proposed legislation intends to introduce new subsections to the aforementioned sections for the removal of corrupt justices and judges from their respective offices.
The bill seeks to confer powers on the NBA to receive petitions against any erring judicial officers, consider the defence of the petitioned officer, and if not satisfied, conduct a confidence vote.
If two-thirds of the members of the NBA in the annual general meeting or conference pass a vote of no confidence in the petitioned officer, then his/her continuation in office is immediately terminated.
“This implies that the judicial officer is presumed in the eyes of the law to have resigned from service,” the legislative brief reads.
Ogene said the essence of the bill is to provide an alternative constitutional mechanism for disciplining erring and corrupt judicial officers away from the “mundane role of the National Judicial Council (NJC), which is no longer potent in curbing the rot in our court and justice system”.
Two senior members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Ayo Afolabi and Wale Oshun, have urged Nigerians, especially APC supporters, to reject the ongoing rumours suggesting that former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, is part of a coalition aiming to oust President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
In separate phone interviews with The Guardian on Tuesday, both political figures condemned the claims, describing them as dangerous political propaganda intended to destabilize the polity.
They labeled the rumour as unfounded, malicious, and part of a broader conspiracy by opposition politicians to challenge President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Afolabi and Oshun jointly emphasized that the speculations about Fayemi’s involvement in the alleged opposition coalition were baseless and were being circulated to cause unnecessary division within the ruling party.
“This is absolutely unfounded and very malicious. It is a political ploy designed to create confusion and dislocation in the polity,” Oshun stated.
The APC’s Ekiti State spokesperson, Segun Dipe, also weighed in, dismissing rumours that the party or the presidency had plans to deny Governor Biodun Oyebanji a return ticket for the 2027 elections due to his supposed closeness to Fayemi.
Dipe’s response came amid growing rumours that the presidency might be unhappy with Fayemi’s alleged connections to the opposition coalition and, by extension, might take action against Oyebanji.
The speculation surfaced after reports that the presidency was dissatisfied with Fayemi’s alleged involvement in a group of politicians seeking to challenge President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
According to these reports, the presidency was reportedly planning to use Governor Oyebanji’s relationship with Fayemi to undermine his political future. However, both APC leaders rejected these claims, asserting that they were without merit.
Dipe clarified the party’s position, stating, “It is not true that the party or the presidency has concluded any plans regarding Governor Oyebanji’s return ticket. These are baseless rumors being peddled by political enemies to stir up trouble.”
Despite the swirling rumors, Afolabi, Oshun, and Dipe all reiterated that the APC remains united and focused on securing President Tinubu’s success in the 2027 elections.
They urged party members and Nigerians to ignore the misinformation and concentrate on the party’s objectives for the upcoming political cycle.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reflected on how his late political mentor, Shehu Yar’adua, instructed him to step down for Chief Moshood Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, during the primaries of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Atiku made the remarks in an exclusive interview for the television show Untold Stories with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie, scheduled to air today, but was obtained by Daily Trust ahead of the broadcast.
In the interview, Atiku elaborated on why Abiola reneged on an earlier agreement with Yar’adua to name him (Atiku) as his running mate after securing the SDP ticket.
He clarified that there had been some misinterpretation and misrepresentation of the events surrounding that period, even though he had previously addressed the circumstances.
Atiku recalled that after the first ballot, he contacted Yar’adua, who was in Kaduna at the time due to a political ban. He told Yar’adua that Babagana Kingibe was poised to win unless he intervened.
Atiku said he urged Yar’adua to come to Jos immediately, as the situation was critical. “I told him, ‘Look, if you don’t come to Jos, there is every likelihood that Babagana Kingibe is going to be elected, and I know you don’t want it. So you better come to Jos, no matter how late.’”
Yar’adua drove from Kaduna to Jos, arriving around three or four in the morning. Atiku said Yar’adua called for a meeting at Alhaji Yahaya Kwande’s house, where he and Abiola were present.
Atiku, however, was not privy to the discussion between Yar’adua and Abiola.
When the meeting began, Yar’adua told Atiku, “Turaki,” to which Atiku replied, “Yes, sir.” Yar’adua then instructed Atiku to step down for Abiola, to which Atiku immediately agreed, saying, “Okay, sir. I have stepped down.”
Atiku later learned that SDP governors had pressured Abiola to choose Kingibe as his running mate instead of honoring the prior agreement with Yar’adua.
According to Atiku, the governors threatened Abiola, saying, “If you don’t take Kingibe, we are not going to support you.”
The governors, Atiku explained, had secured their tickets when Kingibe was the chairman of the SDP, and Abiola, seeing this pressure, decided to pick Kingibe instead.
OpenAI has announced the integration of image generation directly into ChatGPT, allowing users to create images within the chatbot using GPT-4o.
Previously, users relied on DALL·E to generate images, either through a separate platform or within ChatGPT. Now, OpenAI has integrated an even more advanced image generation capability directly into ChatGPT using GPT-4o.
The feature was rolled out on Tuesday, March 25, across Plus, Pro, Team, and Free subscription tiers.
The company disclosed this in a press release, stating that the feature represents a significant step in making image creation an essential part of AI-driven communication.
Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, on his X page, described it as “an incredible technology/product,” emphasizing that the feature marks a new level of creative freedom, acknowledging that while people will create remarkable content, some outputs may offend people.
“Two things to say about it: 1. It’s an incredible technology/product. I remember seeing some of the first images come out of this model and having a hard time, they were really made by AI. We think people will love it, and we are excited to see the resulting creativity. Secondly, this represents a new high-water mark for us in allowing creative freedom. People are going to create some really amazing stuff and some stuff that may offend people; what we’d like to aim for is that the tool doesn’t create offensive stuff unless you want it to, in which case within reason it does. as we talk about in our model spec, we think putting this intellectual freedom and control in the hands of users is the right thing to do, but we will observe how it goes and listen to society. We think respecting the very wide bounds society will eventually choose to set for AI is the right thing to do, and increasingly important as we get closer to AGI. Thanks in advance for the understanding as we work through this,” he stated.
New capabilities in GPT-4o’s image generation
Unlike previous iterations, GPT-4o’s image generation is designed to be more precise, flexible, and interactive. OpenAI stated that the model excels in several key areas:
- Text Rendering: Unlike past AI models that struggled to place readable text within images, GPT-4o generates clear and accurate text, making it suitable for diagrams, infographics, and labeled visuals.
- Multi-turn Generation: Users can refine images through conversation, allowing step-by-step modifications while maintaining consistency across versions. This feature benefits tasks like character design, storyboarding, and branding.
- Instruction Following: GPT-4o can handle detailed prompts with greater accuracy, generating images with up to 10-20 distinct objects while maintaining their relationships and traits.
- In-Context Learning: The AI can analyze uploaded images and incorporate details into new creations, making it useful for design inspiration and visual brainstorming.
- Knowledge Integration: The model links its understanding of text and images, allowing it to generate context-aware visuals, such as weather infographics, technical diagrams, and educational illustrations.
More insights
OpenAI also revealed that developers will gain API access in the coming weeks, enabling broader integration of GPT-4o’s image capabilities across applications.
- The image generation feature is rolling out immediately for ChatGPT users, with planned expansion to Enterprise and Education subscribers.
- Users can generate images by simply describing their requirements in ChatGPT, with options to specify colors, aspect ratios, and other design elements.
Due to the complexity of the model, OpenAI noted that rendering images may take up to a minute.
For developers and businesses looking for more customization, OpenAI confirmed that access to DALL·E will still be available as a separate model option.
[Nairametrics]
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has addressed his decision not to select the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, as his running mate in the 2023 election, stating that he has no regrets about the decision.
In a forthcoming interview for the television show Untold Stories with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie, which is set to air today but was obtained by Daily Trust, Atiku responded to questions regarding the leadership crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that followed his choice.
Many observers speculated that the decision to overlook Wike, who had led a rebellion within the PDP along with five other governors, contributed to Atiku’s loss in the election. Wike later boasted about working against Atiku and delivering Rivers State for President Bola Tinubu.
When asked if he regretted not picking Wike, Atiku responded firmly: “No, not at all.”
Atiku explained that his decision was rooted in the process followed within the party, recalling the criticism he faced in 2019 for allegedly failing to consult widely when selecting Peter Obi as his running mate.
Atiku shared that after securing the PDP ticket in Port Harcourt, he consulted with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who advised him to pick a running mate from the South-East instead of the South-West.
Atiku said that Obasanjo suggested prominent figures like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Charles Soludo, but both were not members of the PDP.
Eventually, Atiku chose Peter Obi, a member of the party, who was also suggested by Obasanjo. After consulting with party leaders and governors, including Wike and Aminu Tambuwal, Atiku was assured there were no objections to Obi being chosen as his running mate. However, he was later criticized for not consulting enough within the party.
Atiku stated that in 2023 he decided to give the party more involvement in the selection process, asking them to set up a committee to recommend three possible running mates.
According to Atiku, the committee suggested three names: Ifeanyi Okowa as the first choice, Wike as the second, and Udom Emmanuel as the third.
Atiku opted for the first choice, Okowa, explaining that his decision not to choose Wike was simply because he was the second choice on the list.
[NaijaNews]
The Kano State government has filed a complaint against Ismail Auwal and Buhari Abba, publishers of Kano Times Online, over alleged defamation.
The Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, filed a complaint with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Kano Police Command, accusing Auwal of defamation in an open letter addressed to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
The letter, titled “Dear Gov. Yusuf, Beware of Kano Information Commissioner Ibrahim Waiya,” was published by Kano Times.
Auwal’s letter, while acknowledging the governor’s achievements, raised concerns about growing tensions between civil society organisations (CSOs) and Waiya, warning that the commissioner’s history with CSOs could undermine the government’s credibility.
Speaking with Daily Trust on the issue, Buhari Abba said he received a call from a police officer, ASP Mukhtar Isah, from the CID on March 22, 2025. “I honoured the invitation on Monday, March 24. After writing my statement, they seized my phones and detained me in an office. I was later allowed to pray before securing bail through Barrister Patience from the Human Rights Journalists Network,” he said.
Abba disclosed that he is facing charges of defamation of character and criminal conspiracy, with ASP Mukhtar Isah handling the case file.
Meanwhile, Daily Trust gathered that Ismail Auwal also honoured a police invitation at the Kano Police Command for questioning but was later released after spending about five hours with the police.
[DailyTrust]
• House of Reps considers Local Council Electoral Commission for LG polls
• ‘Court of Appeal as final arbiter of governorship tussles’
• Stakeholders laud ‘cost-saving’ move, wary of INEC’s capacity
The proposed bill by the House of Representatives to simultaneously conduct all elections into the offices of the president, state governors, National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly and Local Government Areas (LGAs) on the same day has elicited mixed reactions among stakeholders.
While most Nigerians agree with the need to compress election days and save avoidable costs, they also raised reservations about Nigerians and the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) readiness for the proposed cumbersome phase.
The lawmakers, in a bid to ensure credibility in the electioneering process at the plenary yesterday, made significant inroads towards the conduct of all elections in a day.
Similarly, the House also considered establishing the Local Government Electoral Commission (LGEC) to conduct all local council elections, which are currently conducted and funded by the State Electoral Commission.
The proposed legislation on the conduct of elections on the same day, sponsored by members of the House, Ikenga Ugochinyere, Francis Ejiroghene Waive, and 34 others, scaled the second reading at a plenary presided by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu.
The bill aims to alter provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to provide that General Elections to the Office of the President, State Governors, National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly and Local Government Area Councils shall be conducted simultaneously on the same date to be determined by the Independent National Electoral Commission in consultation with the National Assembly.
The bill for the establishment of LGEC also scaled the second reading, seeking to alter the Constitution to establish the National Local Government Electoral Commission as an independent body responsible for organising, conducting, and supervising elections into the offices of Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and Councilors of all the Local Government Councils across the Federation.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by the Deputy Speaker and eight other lawmakers, was presented for second reading by the House leader, Julius Ihonvbere.
According to the Sponsor and Co-sponsors, the Commission, when established, will ensure the credibility, transparency, and fairness of local government elections and promote democratic governance at the grassroots level.
Great move, but for INEC’s readiness
RECALL that in 2015, INEC reordered the course of the election, bringing the presidential and national elections first before that of the governors and the state Assemblies, which many Nigerians claimed created a bandwagon effect on the state elections.
Also, in 1998, the National Electoral Commission conducted the local government elections that were judged the best to date. It was the only council poll where opposition parties won chairmanship seats in areas where they were strong. However, thereafter, the ruling parties adopted a winner-takes-all method using State Electoral Commissions, which were appointed by sitting state governors and ruling parties.
A former Minority Leader in the Senate, Olorunnimbe Mamora, said the idea of conducting elections would reduce cost, stress on the electorate and eliminate the bandwagon effects to some extent, “but is Nigeria ripe for such?”
He, however, faulted the proposal for LGEC to oversee council polls, adding that the decision would affect the principle of true federalism.
He disagreed with a repeat of the 1998 antecedent when a national electoral body held council polls. He said Nigeria is no longer under military rule.
The chieftain of Ohanaeze, Goddy Uwazurike, quickly disagreed with Mamora, saying the House’s proposal was the best.
Uwazurike said: “As long as the 1999 Constitution could be amended to cover this, then the shenanigans Nigerians have been witnessing as council polls, where governors installed their cronies, will stop.”
He noted that whatever initial challenges it has could be addressed. He also threw his weight behind a proposed LGEC to conduct council polls.
He said: “A particular system has failed us over 25 years. There is a need to try another one.”
The Director-General of National Conservative Forum (NCFront), Wale Okuniyi, noted that as good as the proposal is, it implies the amendment of the constitution.
Okuniyi said the capacity of INEC to hold multiple elections in a day is a problem to consider. Otherwise, it is supposed to be the best.
In support of the position of the House, a professor of law and vice-chancellor of the Protestant University of Rwanda, Olu Ojedokun, said the House is right to pass the bill, aiming to conduct all elections in one day.
He said all the polls should be conducted on the same day to reduce costs and ensure efficiency.
The VC said: “If all elections should be done in one day, none will influence the others. There was no movement for two days (in the past general elections) because of the election! Why do we have to shut down the country for elections?
“If we do all the elections in one day, it will reduce cost, time, and restriction hours. We can learn from the U.S., France and other countries that use the method.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (NEC) needs to plan well for it. If INEC starts planning now, it can do it.”
In another reaction to the bill on compressed elections, a former Head of Department (HOD), Political Science and International Relations, Lead City University, Ibadan, Prof. Akeem Amodu, said the ideal thing should be starting from the bottom to the top.
He noted that the gubernatorial and State Assemblies polls should be held first, followed by the presidential and National Assembly.
Amodu said, “Given the Nigerian understanding of politics and an economy that does not give room for citizens to think out of the box, the bandwagon effect will happen. There is a tendency for the party that won the presidential poll to incentivise and induce voters. As a result of this, the victorious party is ready to buy people’s votes and consciences.
“The ideal thing should be starting from the bottom to the top. The last three elections followed that pattern.
That is, local first, followed by the state poll, parliamentary and federal presidential elections to get the best. That will change the bandwagon dynamics and narrative.”
On his part, the Head of Department (HOD) of Political Science, University of Ibadan, Prof. Adewale Yagboyaju, said: “These are different options with their merits and demerits. From local to presidential elections, it will be more expensive than we have today.
“There may indeed be bandwagon effects, but that may not always be true. For instance, in Oyo State, in the 2023 presidential and National Assembly polls, the All Progressives Congress (APC) won almost all seats. Still, at the governorship and state assembly polls, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) swept them all.
“This means bandwagon effects cannot be automatic. Going back to the former method may not necessarily count. Re-ordering to the former method should come with profound outweighing benefits that we can point to. Anything we push for should be more beneficial than the existing one.”
The bill’s draft on LGEC states that the National Local Government Electoral Commission shall consist of the Chairman and 37 other members representing 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
It also states that the Chairman, who shall be the Chief Electoral Officer and members of the Board shall be appointed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the recommendation of the National Council of States and subject to the confirmation of the Senate.
The Commission is expected to provide periodic reports on its activities and the outcomes of local government elections to the President, the National Assembly, and the general public, promoting transparency and accountability in its operations.
The Commission is to, among others, be saddled with the responsibility for organising, conducting, and supervising elections into the offices of Chairmen and Councilors of all Local Governments in the Federation, including the Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory; setting the election timetable, managing polling processes, and ensuring compliance with electoral laws; and overseeing the registration of voters for local government elections, maintain an accurate and up-to-date voter register, and ensure that eligible citizens are provided with access to participate in the electoral process.
“The Secretary of the Board of the National Local Government Electoral Commission shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Board of National Local Government Electoral Commission who shall be a legal practitioner of not less than 10 years,” Ihonvbere said in his lead debate.
Appeal court as final arbiter…
THE House also passed through second reading another bill seeking to make the court of appeal the final arbiter for determining governorship election petitions in the country.
Sponsored by a lawmaker representing Ndokwa East/Ndokwa West/Ukwuani Federal Constituencies of Delta State, Nnamdi Ezechi, the proposed legislation seeks to alter section 246 of the 1999 constitution.
Section 246 of the constitution states that the court of appeal’s decisions regarding litigations arising from the national and state Houses of Assembly election petitions shall be final if the proposed legislation is passed into law; the section will include governorship elections.
Presenting the bill’s general principles, Ezechi said the proposed legislation is intended to mitigate delays and save costs in post-election litigation. According to him, if enacted, the law will prevent gubernatorial election disputes from reaching the Supreme Court.
[Guardian]
More...
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has declared that he is uncertain about his 2027 presidential ambition.
Atiku, who has contested for the presidency six times, made the remark in a yet-to-be-aired interview for a television show, Untold Stories, with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie.
His remarks came a few days after he announced the formation of a coalition of opposition leaders aiming to oust the President Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress, APC government.
When asked if he would run for the presidency in the next election, Atiku said, “I don’t know because there has to be, first of all, a viable platform, more than any other time in the political history of this country, particularly since the return of democracy.”
The former VP, however, did not rule out the possibility of contesting in the 2027 election, stating the need for Nigeria to have a competent leader.
“I have not seen Nigeria in dire need of, you know, an experienced and credible leadership than this time.
“We had a similar, you know, what would I say, merger in 2014. About four of us or is it three? We all ran for president and one of us emerged, and we all supported the one who emerged, and he won,” he said.
There are speculations that Atiku may give his support to the former Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi and former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-rufai for the 2027 election.
[Daily Post]
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions threw out Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition, saying the matter was already a subject of litigation.
The petition was written by Mr Zubairu Yakubu, one of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituents.
Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (APC – Ebonyi South) and a former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, clashed over the handling of the sexual harassment allegations.
Dr Ezekwesili, a witness, had accompanied Yakubu, who appeared before the Senate Committee, to defend the petition.
A war of words ensued between Nwebonyi and the former minister, who complained about how the allegation was being handled by senators.
However, the Committee ruled that it could not sit on the petition, in view of a pending case filed against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan by Dr. Unoma Akpabio, wife of the Senate President.
Citing Senate Rules, Senator Imasuen noted that the practice of the Senate was to desist from entertaining petitions on any matters pending before the court.
During the proceedings, tension rose as Nwebonyi described Dr Ezekwesili an ‘insult to womanhood’ and a ‘hooligan.’
The senator’s remarks followed the refusal of Dr Ezekwesili and other attendees to take an oath during the hearing.
While one of the senators insisted that either they take the oath or the committee would end the meeting, Dr Ezekwesili and her colleagues insisted on not taking the oath, during which Nwebonyi became apparently angry.
He said: “You are an insult to womanhood, hooligan. People like you are not supposed to be here, hooligan. You are an insult to womanhood.” Ezekwesili, who later spoke with reporters, accused the Senate of violating the Constitution, adding that the Senate Rule cited by the committee was not superior to the Constitution.
She said: “The Nigerian Senate keeps telling citizens they are subject to Senate rules, even when those rules violate the Constitution. This is unacceptable in a democracy.”
She argued that the embattled Kogi Central lawmaker was denied fair hearing, insisting that it is in clear breach of provisions of the Constitution.
Dr Ezekwesili added: “The Senate placed its own rules above the laws of the land. Now, with this petitioner, they have done the same thing—using procedural loopholes to avoid addressing critical issues
“If a petitioner says they do not believe the Senate committee will give them a fair hearing due to clear bias, it is only just that an independent body reviews the matter.
“The Senate must respect the Constitution. Otherwise, we risk turning our democracy into a system where powerful individuals manipulate processes to silence opposition and suppress justice,” she said.
On the alleged bias by the Senate, the petitioner cited previous remarks attributed to the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Imasuen, where he described Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition as dead on arrival during a previous Committee sitting.
“How can the chairman serve as a judge in a case where he has already publicly taken a position? What is the need for us to present our case when a verdict has already been given before hearing us?,” he queried.
Yakubu expressed disappointment over the objection by the Committee to his request that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has been suspended for six months by the Senate be allowed to testify before the panel as principal witness.
He said the suspended senator was in custody of a crucial documentary evidence to support her claims, lamenting that she had been barred from entering the National Assembly as part of her suspension.
Yakubu added: “In my petition, I clearly stated that my witness would present her evidence personally. But she was not allowed into the premises. If my key witness is denied access, how can I proceed with my case?”
Counsel to the petitioner, Dr. Abiola Akinyode also faulted the alleged inconsistencies in the Senate’s handling of the petitions.
She said: “There is nothing in Yakubu’s petition that was not in Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s original petition. If the Senate dismissed her petition as ‘dead on arrival,’ then logically, Yakubu’s should also be dismissed.”
“The Senate seems to be operating under its own rules, separate from the Constitution. That is why they can suspend a senator for six months without following due process,” Akinyode said.
She also faulted the defence by the Committee that it could not hear a petition on a subsisting case before a court of competent jurisdiction.
Akinyode said: “If they knew the case was in court, they should have simply written to the petitioner stating they could not entertain it. Instead, they invited him, only to dismiss the petition on the basis that it was already in court.”
[TheNation]
Governors of states governed by the Peoples Democratic Party have instituted a suit before the Supreme Court, challenging the six-month suspension of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the Rivers House of Assembly members were suspended for six months by President Bola Tinubu after he declared a state of emergency in the state on March 18 and appointed a sole administrator for the state.
Meanwhile, the legislatures, on their part, supported the president’s decision to implement the suspension.
However, the governors of Bauchi, Adamawa, Bayelsa, Enugu, Osun, Plateau, and Zamfara states questioned the powers the president has to carry out such action (suspension).
Mentioned as respondents in the suit are Tinubu and the National Assembly.
The seven state governors who termed the suspension as unconstitutional, through their Attorney-Generals, urged the Supreme Court to declare that “the President has no powers whatsoever or authority to suspend a democratically elected governor and deputy governor of a state in the Federation of Nigeria under the guise of or pursuant to the proclamation of a state of emergency in any state of the federation, including the states represented by the plaintiffs,” based on the provisions of Sections 1(2), 5(2), and 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The governors also urged the apex court to declare that the President has no powers to suspend a democratically elected House of Assembly of a state pursuant to Sections 192 (4) (6) and 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
The appellants (seven state governors) sought a declaration that “the suspension of Governor Siminalaye Fubara, his deputy, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly was unconstitutional, unlawful, and in gross violation of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”
The governors argued that Tinubu lacks the statutory powers to suspend a serving governor and appoint a sole administrator in their stead.
The governors urged the Supreme Court to nullify the appointment of the sole administrator appointed to govern the state.
They challenged the constitutionality of the voice votes used by the National Assembly to ratify Tinubu’s actions.
They argued that the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by the defendants did not comply with the constitutional requirements set out in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Furthermore, the litigants contended that the proclamation by the President failed to meet the stipulated conditions and procedures for such a declaration, stating that it was made for reasons beyond those specified in the Constitution.
They also argued that the National Assembly’s approval of the state of emergency via a voice vote was invalid, stressing that the Constitution mandates a two-thirds majority vote of members of each legislative chamber.
They prayed the Supreme Court for the following relief, “An order nullifying the proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State made by the first defendant and wrongfully approved by the second defendant.
“An order restraining the defendant, by himself, his servants, agents, and privies, from implementing the unlawful suspension of the governor and deputy governor of Rivers State.
“An order restraining the defendant, by himself, his servants, agents, and privies, from interfering in any manner whatsoever with the execution by the governor and deputy governor of Rivers State of their constitutional and statutory duties, as well as their electoral mandate.
“An order restraining the defendant from attempting the suspension of any other governor of any state in Nigeria, particularly the plaintiffs, or from interfering with or undermining their constitutional and statutory duties.”
[Punch]
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has appointed Professor Kamoru Olayiwola Usman, a Yoruba Muslim from Oyo State, as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), marking the first time in the institution’s history that a person of Yoruba descent has held the position.
The appointment, made by the Acting Vice-Chancellor (Ag. VC), Professor Oguejiofo T. Ujam, is part of ongoing reforms aimed at fostering inclusive governance and restoring the university’s academic excellence.
In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, the university reaffirmed its commitment to merit-based leadership and national unity.
Professor Ujam stated: “The appointment of Professor Usman reflects our resolve to prioritise competence over sectional considerations. It is imperative that we sustain this culture of inclusivity and meritocracy to move the university forward.”
In addition to Professor Usman’s appointment, the Acting VC also named Dr Mansur Adebowale Saddiq as Acting Director of the Medical Centre, further demonstrating his commitment to promoting excellence over sectional interests.
Both appointments have been widely welcomed by scholars and students from diverse backgrounds, recognising them as steps towards strengthening national unity within the institution.
Professor Usman, who succeeds Professor Urama, holds a PhD in Mathematics Education and previously served as Provost of the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo State, from 2015 to 2023.
A distinguished academic, he is a fellow of the Mathematical Association of Nigeria and a member of several professional bodies, including the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies and the Nigerian Educational Research Association. His initial tenure as DVC (Academics) will last for two years, with the possibility of renewal.
Meanwhile, the statement also highlighted that during a recent University Senate meeting, Professor Ujam emphasised the collective responsibility of repositioning UNN as a centre for ethical and innovative learning.
“A collective effort is required to place the institution on a steady path towards ethical and innovative learning. UNN must regain its pride of place as Nigeria’s premier university. We must rid the system of narrow-minded sectionalism and divisive tendencies that have eroded the enabling environment for research, comparative studies, and the adaptive application of new knowledge,” the statement read.
The Senate meeting was attended by key university officials, including the newly appointed DVC, Professor Usman, and members of the governing council, led by Engineer Olubunmi Kayode Ojo.
Professor Ujam further noted that UNN must take the lead in global educational trends, particularly in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence. He also commended the support of Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, in advocating for experiential learning.
“It is commendable that His Excellency, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, the Governor of Enugu State—our host state—has been championing the transition to experiential learning. We must align with this vision to ensure our students are not left behind in the evolving global education landscape,” he said.
The Acting VC called on the university community to work together to eliminate divisions that have hindered research, academic collaboration, and technological advancement.
“I will be firm, fair, and transparent in the discharge of my duties. UNN must not lag behind in the current technological revolution, characterised by the rivalry between OpenAI and DeepSeek,” he assured.
[Vanguard]