Natasha moves to thaw frosty relations with Akpabio

Strong indications appeared, Thursday in Abuja that the frosty relation between Sen Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio had thawed. This follows an invitation extended to the latter to attend her project commissioning event. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had scheduled the inauguration of projects executed to the benefit of her constituents in Kogi Central to take place sometime next week and extended an invitation letter to the Senate President and other colleagues. The invitation from Natasha to fellow Senators , was contained in a letter personally signed by her and read in plenary by the President of the Senate . Natasha in the letter invited the entire Senators to join her in projects commissioning in Ihima Kogi State on Sunday to mark her second year in the Senate . ” The letter reads in part : ” In marking my second year anniversary as serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria , I wish to invite fellow Distinguished Senators to join me for projects commissioning in Kogi State” Meeting point for the event as stated in the letter , is Senator Natasha Akpoti – Uduaghan residence at plot 101 Jimoh Akpoti Street Ihima , Okene Kogi State . As announced by the President of the Senate , she added in the letter that for Senators traveling by Air for the event , Obajana Airstrip can be used for landing before proceeding to Ihima by road . Apparently pleased with the invitation, Akpabio after reading the letter , congratulated Natasha in advance , saying ” Congratulations in advance ” . Recall that the feud between the duo over seat re-allocation in the hallowed chambers of the Senate in February this year , snowballed into wider crisis and suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti – Uduaghan for six months by the Senate on the 6th of March this year . Uon her resumption from the six months suspension on the 24th of last month , Senator Natasha has been interfacing with Akpabio in plenary through contributions to proceedings. One of such instance was an additional prayer she made to resolutions adopted on Criminal Code Act ( Amendment) Bill , 2025, considered in the Senate on Tuesday last week ; but her letter to all Senators , read by Akpabio on Thursday, is the closest of all so far .

NASS Clerk Clarifies Role in Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Suspension, Resumption Bid

The Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly has clarified its position in the controversy surrounding the suspension and attempted resumption of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, insisting it lacks powers to reinstate her without due process. In a statement signed by Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, Director of Information, on behalf of the Clerk, the office said it had been wrongly portrayed in some media reports and public commentary as obstructing the senator’s return. “The Clerk’s Office serves strictly as an administrative arm, providing support to the Senate in accordance with their resolutions, Standing Orders, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). The Clerk does not possess the authority to review, reverse, or interpret Senate decisions,” the statement read. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, was suspended for six months by the Senate on March 6, 2025. Although she challenged the action in court, the Federal High Court did not invalidate the suspension, and the matter remains before the Court of Appeal. On September 4, 2025, she wrote to the Clerk, notifying of her intention to resume legislative duties. The Clerk explained that while she could have directed such communication to the Senate President as protocol demands, the matter was duly conveyed to Senate leadership. According to the Clerk’s Office, the Senate leadership maintained that the issue remains sub judice, and any change in her status must come from either a new Senate resolution or a definitive court order. “This communication was what the Clerk to the National Assembly conveyed in the letter, no more, no less. The Clerk is therefore not in a position to facilitate her resumption at this time,” the statement clarified. The office also expressed concern over a letter from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal representatives, M.J. Numa & Partners LLP, accusing the Clerk of overreach and threatening legal and disciplinary action. “While the office respects the right of all parties to seek legal redress, it must be stressed that the Clerk has at all times acted within lawful administrative limits, and in faithful observance of due process,” it stated. Reiterating that the decision on her resumption rests solely with the Senate, the Clerk emphasized that its role is limited to administration and not adjudication. “The public is urged to remain patient and allow the appropriate institutions including the Senate and the courts to discharge their constitutional responsibilities,” the statement concluded.

Senate Sacks CCT Chairman Over Misconduct  

Many days for the a thief, it is said, the single day of reckoning shall dawn when the owner of the property will catch up with the burglar. This adage succinctly describes the turn of fortune for Mr. Danladi Umar, the recalcitrant Chairman of Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) as he gets the boot. Danladi’s filled up this Wednesday as the Senate has dismissed him from his position as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) due to allegations of gross misconduct. This action was carried out under Section 157(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which permits the removal of public officials after due process.   The decision followed a lengthy closed-door session during which over 84 senators supported the motion.  The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, initiated the process, citing various allegations against Umar, including corruption, absenteeism, and public misconduct.  These accusations had prompted earlier investigations by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, where Umar’s attendance was inconsistent.   The dismissal also comes amid ongoing investigations by multiple anti-corruption agencies into Umar’s conduct, further raising concerns about his suitability for the role.  The Senate highlighted the need to uphold the Tribunal’s reputation and ensure its leadership reflects accountability and integrity.   Following Umar’s removal, Abdullahi Usman Bello has been confirmed as the new Chairman of the Tribunal, marking a significant administrative shift within the institution.  This is the first time since 1999 that the Senate has invoked constitutional powers to remove a head of a federal agency. ALSO READ: PRESIDENT TINUBU’S MULTI-LAYERED COMMUNICATION TEAM: A GENIUS CONTRAPTION OR DISASTER IN THE MAKING.

Akpabio announces Bamidele Senate Leader, Ndume Chief Whip, others

Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio has announced Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) as the Senate Majority leader and former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) as the Senate Chief Whip. Reading the letter from the All Progressives Congress, APC, Akpabio also announced Senator Dave Umahi, APC, Ebonyi South as the Deputy Leader and Senator Lola Ashiru, APC, Kwara South as the Deputy Whip. Akpabio who entered the hallowed Chamber at 11:18am, immediately prayed at 11:20am and asked Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, APC, Abia North to move for the adoption of Votes and Proceedings of 14th June and seconded by Senator Ezenwa, Imo East. Recall that the four candidates nominated by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, for Senate and House of Representatives leadership won their elections in June. The four anointed candidates are Senate President Akpabio; Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau; House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas; and Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu. While Barau and Kalu emerged unopposed, Akpabio prevailed after a tough battle and Abass recorded a landslide victory over his two opponents. In the Senate where all the 109 senators took part, Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State and one-time Senate Minority leader, polled 63 votes to defeat former governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdulaziz Yari (APC, Zamfara West) who polled 46 votes. In the House of Representatives, it was smooth sailing for Abass as 353 of the 359 lawmakers inaugurated gave him their votes. His challengers, Idris Wase and Aminu Jaji polled three votes each.