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BY  Jose Munoz

The Arewa Youth Assembly For Good Leadership (AYAGL) has averred that putting into perspectives former and recent actions of the Senate President Godswill Akpabio against Northern Senators, it is crystal clear that the Senate President has something against the northern region hence fighting the North directly and indirectly.

AYAGL who also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call him to order

in the interest of justice, harmony and peace, posited that “For us as Northern Youths, we feel Akpabio is fighting the entire Northern region and would want to silence all the notable voices from the region who are critical of his high handedness and sectional politics”.

Addressing a press conference in Kaduna, the Speaker of the AYAGL, Ambassador Abdul Danbature reiterated that, “going by what has happened under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio, we believe Akpabio is fighting the North directly or indirectly. Our reasons for this belief is not farfetched. The perfunctory suspension of distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti recently has reinforced our beliefs that Akpabio is fighting the North”.

The youth group queried’ “What has Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduanghan done to warrant her suspension from legislative duties for 6 months, what has She done to warrant her change of seat? What has She done to warrant her removal as Senate Committee Chairman on Local Content and above all, what has Northern women done for continue harassment?

“What has Northern Nigeria done against Senator Akpabio to stop a motion moved by senator Natasha on NLNG gas pipeline project to Northern Nigeria? Alot of questions are begging for answers and we hope Senator Akpabio will provide answers.

“Northern Nigeria deserves more than what its getting from Akpabio as Senate President. Without the overwhelming support of our Senators from the North, Akpabio wouldn’t be sitting as Senate President today. He must stop the victimisation of Senators from the North. He must stop his selective justice. He should realise that power, position and influence are ephemeral.

Since the emergence of Godswill Akpabio as the Senate President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, it has been one drama to another and as discerning Northern Nigeria Youth, we are gradually jumping to the conclusions that Akpabio has a axe to grind with some section of the country especially, the North.

 As Youth who constitute the bulk of the population of Northern Nigeria, we have unanimously resolved to lend our voice in condemnation of the mistreatment and maltreatment Northern Nigeria Senators have been subjected to under the leadership of Akpabio. 

We have endured and tolerated Akpabio beyond limit and now it is time to speak out. We have realised our Senators from the North are afraid to call a spade a spade because of fear of witch hunting and suspension from the Senate. 

Danbature further said, Senator Akpabio must stop relegating the North, stressing that “He must stop his anti North policy. Let Akpabio quickly recall Senator Natasha Akpoti in the interest of justice otherwise, posterity will remember him harshly.

“Let our Northern leaders call Senator Akpabio to order and let the Southern leaders too do same in the interest of peace and unity. This is not just a Senate issue but a national disgrace. Senator Akpabio has ridiculed and denigrated the parliament in Nigeria. We are now a laughing stock among the comity of Nations.

“Akpabio must heed to our call to recall Senator Natasha within 48 hours else we will occupy National Assembly Complex, block lokoja -Kaduna express road and all the 19 Northern States and FCT. We are very much ready and prepared to engage in civil protest until our demands are met. 

“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to wade into this matter because some section of the North believes Akpabio could not have done this without his imprimatur”.

“As Youth, we are using this medium to tell Akpabio that Nothing last forever, no position is permanent and no power is eternal. Therefore, we will like to advise him to be circumspect and treat his colleagues equally and fairly”.

ENDS

Nigerians in Diaspora Forum (MDF) appeared divided about the planned protest against Senate President Godswill Akpabio over the recent face-off with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

According to information gathered in the communique issued after a meeting held in London on Friday, some members insisted the protests scheduled for Monday 10,2025 in London and New York must be done and others disagreed.

The communique signed by Dr. Timothy Gabriel and made available via electronic mail to some journalists, revealed that some members of the Forum, backing Senator Natasha are of the view that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio is using his office to silence and malign an innocent woman,thus he should resign immediately.

The members, who are angry about the suspension of Senator Natasha , described the action of the Akpabio led Senate as an assault on democracy and a deliberate attempt to silence women in leadership.

They insisted on the planned protests and vowed to mobilise members thinking along same line in United States of America and United Kingdom to come out for the protests and tell the world about the injustice meted out on Natasha.

However ,those supporting Akpabio described the planned protests against Akpabio as nothing, but mischief-makers who are exploiting the process to embark on the protests to cast aspersions on the Senate President’s image.

The communique captured that they appeal to the Nigerians in Diaspora to avoid any action that cast aspersions on the image of our country and leadership of the Senate over an issue that been resolved with the floor of the Senate.

We are not in support of any protest after the Senate has taken action to suspend Senator Natasha.And therefore urge members of the Forum to avoid being used for sponsored protests aimed at personal political mischief.

The Senate had taken a decision to suspend after referring the matter to the Ethics Committee for fair hearing and transparency and the ends the stirred up tension.

…Says Action Will Have Adverse Effects on Economy

In playing the role of an arbiter, Sheikh Usman  Mohammed Musa and Sheikh Abbas Ibrahim have cautioned the Rivers State House of  Assembly  members against the widely rumoured move to impeach  Governor Siminalayi Fubara. 

Recalled that recently at the plenary on Wednesday, the second after the Supreme Court restored the 27 Pro-Wike Lawmakers, in a letter  profiled the constitutional infractions they claimed Fubara has committed.

But the Imams have expressed  fears with a note of caution that any attempt to impeach Governor Fubara will not only breach the existing peace enjoyed by the good people of State ,but also have consequential effects on the growing economy of the state and country at Large.

In a seven paragraphs statement jointly signed by Sheikh Usman Mohammed Bawa and Sheikh Abbas Ibrahim on behalf  of Concerned Muslim Imams (CMI),the Imams asked the lawmakers to avoid crisis that could lead to anarchy and wanton destruction of lives and  property of our Muslim brothers and others citizens in the State.

According  to the Imams,it appears  the pro-Wike lawmakers have revived their earlier attempt to impeach Governor Fubara, whom they accused  of violating the  Constitution by appointing persons to serve as commissioners without their approval

But in the interest of peace , the clerics who called for peace and harmony between the executive arm and some members of the House of Assembly, said  the need for robust relationship between the two arms of government is of paramount importance for growth and development.

The statement reads :” We are worried because we have lots of our Muslim brothers in Rivers State and  it is our desire that they are protected and secured ,thus our resolve to appeal to Amawhule led House of Assembly to create an atmosphere of peace .”

On the economic implications of the impeachment, the Imams said ,”If the impeachment threat against Fubara is allowed to pull through, we fear the youths may carry out the threat to shut down all the flow stations in the Niger Delta. At this juncture,we are calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene to safe our refineries

“By and large, it will equally  heightened insecurity capable of scaring investors off the state. No investor is willing to put his investments where there is political instability. “

While wondering the motive behind the impeachment of a hardworking Governor such as Fubara, they queried ,” The rational behind the attempt by some members of the State House of Assembly to impeach a governor without any  known reason and recourse to the Constitution by which they came into the House and which they swore to uphold.

“We therefore urged all political actors  to sheath their swords and embrace dialogue. The state can only thrive and prosper in a peaceful and conducive atmosphere.

“We expect the political leaders amid the storm to be conscious of the fact that their actions have only succeeded in creating unnecessary tension and  fear in the minds of residents and citizens.  

“They however expressed concern that if the tension continues, it could plunge the state into an avoidable crisis with dire economic and social consequences.”

While urging Muslims in the state to support  Governor Fubara during the critical period of the threat to impeach him, the Imams called on the warring parties to set aside their grudges and iron out their differences .

Coalition of six northern based Civil Society Organisations have passed a vote of confidence Senate President Godswill Akpabio despite what it termed, “unfortunate and baseless” allegations by Senator Natasha Akpoti.

According to the CSOs , the sexual allegation coming from a lawmaker is diversionary at this critical period when Nigerians are yearning for laws to help cushion effects of the harsh economy.

The group which stated this in a press statement signed by Comrade Mustapha Jibrin Musawa, described the allegation by Senator Natasha as nothing but, a calculated attempt to damage the hard earned political image and career of the Senate President .

While condemning Natasha for making such allegation against someone who is family friend and benefactor, the Coalition comprising Arewa Good Governance Forum; Peace and Unity Forum in North, Progressives Movement for Development, Development Initiative for Better Arewa and Forum for Advancement of Youths and Women explained ,”We are beginning to see the drama of Pull-him-down actions unveils in the manner sponsored protests have been deployed across Nigeria with a view to remove him for selfish political gains”.

The statement reads: ” When we are beginning to enjoy dividends of democracy under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led government as a result of the cordial relationship with National Assembly, suddenly comes this unnecessary distractions.

“From information gathered from the senators and members of House of Representatives, the detractors under guise of the sexual allegations are plotting to plant their own stooge as the Senate President ,who help them execute their plans to frustrate the good works of President Tinubu.

“The 10th Senate under Akpabio’s leadership has demonstrated high sense of maturity and even the critics today,are beginning to have rethink about the abinitio underated tarnished image of the National Assembly.”

The statement however, noted that Senator Akpabio who is widely known for his jovial gestures and nature since during his days as Governor of Akwa Ibom state could have been misread and interpreted. And for anyone to accuse him of sexual harassment is an aberration.

It further stater : “Akpabio has a track records of good relationship with people; performance and selfless service to his motherland, and we can watch Natasha damage these good side of him .

“It is against this background that as members of Civil Society Organizations from the north, we have come out strongly to support Akpabio and Pass a Vote of Confidence on his leadership as the Senate President.

“It therefore called for a full-scale investigation into the allegations made by Senator Natasha and reject the sponsored propaganda of character assassination.”

Women Rights and Justice Forum (WRJF),a coalition of women’s associations working to protect the interest of women has concluded arrangements to storm the Federal Capital Territory on Monday , March 10 to hold one million people march in protest against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio over alleged harassment of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan .

According to women Rights group, part of reasons, it resolved to embark on the protest is call for resignation of the Senator President .

The group with members across the 36 states of Nigeria said it has already commenced mobilisation of women to come out and remain on the roads until President Bola Ahmed and the National Assembly remove Senator Akpabio from the highly exalted position of Senate President .

The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uguaghan had accused the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of sexual harassment.She also alleged that Akpabio blocked her motions from being heard on the floor of the Senate because she rejected his advances.

In a Statement issued today and made available to Journalists in Kaduna, the Women Rights and Justice Forum,which condemned in strong terms any attempt by men in high positions to harass women for personal gains, hinted that,”The Million People March will be the first of a series of protests to call for the resignation of the Senator Akpabio, who allegedly harassed a woman”.

The statement signed the Coordinator of the Forum, Hajiya Hauwa Suleiman Usman explained: ” The decision to embark on the one million man March is equally to make strong statement that women will not tolerate such oppression and harassment against women in politics.

“We have waited and watched with keen interest to see if the Senate President will tow the honourable lane and apologize to Natasha after she was compelled to speak out on Arise Television, but we later discovered that some of the lawmakers and members of the public have taken side against her .

“As women, have decided to unite to stop these overt attempts to shut women down and make them second class citizens in their own country.

“To serve as deterrent to other men, we resolved to not only talk, but take decisive action to ensure that Senator Akpabio suffer for his actions to harass and undermine a woman for rejecting sexual advances.

“It unfortunate that without investigating the allegation, Akpabio’s wife, who should know her husband better concluded prematurely and dragged senator Natasha to court . But note this she will shocked after she sees evidence.

“Senator Akpabio must resign or we remain on the roads till he does so. “

By Mike Odeh James

Kaduna, Nigeria – Former Senator representing Kaduna Central in the 8th National Assembly and human rights activist, Senator Shehu Sani, has paid a condolence visit to the family of late Nigerian football legend, Ayo Ogunlana.

During his visit to the family’s home in Kaduna, Senator Sani described Ogunlana as an icon who inspired many young people both during his active football career and after retirement.

Expressing his deep sorrow over Ogunlana’s passing, Senator Sani revealed that he had always inquired about the football star and had intended to visit him before hearing of his demise.

“I had always asked about him and wanted to visit him lately, but unfortunately, I could not. It was only when I saw a flier announcing his death that I learned of his passing,” the Senator said.

“At first, I found it hard to believe, so I sent the flier to Tijani Babangida and Daniel Amokachi to confirm. Sadly, they confirmed the painful news.”

While comforting Ogunlana’s widow and family members, Senator Sani acknowledged the deep pain of their loss but urged them to remain strong.

“The death of your husband is painful to all of us, not just to you and the children. But we cannot question God. Please take heart and be strong for the children and grandchildren he left behind,” he consoled.

He further emphasized the need to sustain Ogunlana’s legacy and expressed interest in establishing a foundation in his honor.

“It is a good thing when a person passes away, and all people have to say about them are good things. Your husband has left behind a big shoe, and his legacies must be protected,” he added.

Senator Sani also praised the love and companionship shared by the late Ogunlana and his wife.

“You are a source of comfort; God created you both to be together. Your late husband found his missing rib in you, and for 47 years, you lived in peace as husband and wife. God will comfort you,” he prayed.

Wife Recounts Last Moments of Late Ogunlana

In an emotional response, Ogunlana’s widow, Mrs. Ogunlana, thanked Senator Sani for visiting the family in their time of grief. She revealed that her husband passed away on Friday, February 14, which coincided with Valentine’s Day.

She noted that the late footballer was not sick before his sudden death.

“He was never sick. That morning, he returned from his early morning jogging and told me that he was feeling strange. He asked me to take him inside because he could no longer walk. We assisted him to the

…Vows to Join Akpabio’s wife in Legal battle

Group under aegis of Northern Democratic Alliance (NDA) has condemned what it termed , Unfounded sexual harassment allegation against the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio by Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan.

The Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Natasha Akpoti who protested the relocation of her seat accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of persistent harassment, victimization, and blocking her legislative efforts because she rejected his alleged inappropriate advances.

Natasha, who made the claim while speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Friday, detailed what she described as a troubling pattern of professional sabotage and personal intimidation — a fallout, she claimed, of her refusal to engage in an improper relationship with Akpabio.

However,in a reaction to Senator Natasha Apoti”s claim of sexual harassment, the Northern Democratic Alliance condemned the attacks on the Senate President.Saying her face-off with Senator Akpabio is unwarranted, unprovoked and shouldn’t have come from a family friend of the Senate President.

The statement reads: “We have known the Senate President since he was Governor of Akwa Ibom to his days as minister and now Senate President, and can authoritatively tell you that he’s a man who lots of respect for women .

“So , when we heard about Senator Natasha accusations, especially that of sexual harassment,it didn’t add up for us .

“The good people of Akwa Ibom,the wife of the Senate President and members of the National Assembly can also attest to fact that he’s only a cheerful personality,but a seasoned administrator who understands the implications of such act of irresponsibility while holding public office.

“It against this background that we have come to condemn Senator Natasha unsubstantiated claim of sexual harassment and victimization.”

” After careful study of the whole saga ,we have decided to join Senator Akpabio’s wife in court in legal battle against Senator , Natasha who has no evidence to prove her claim.”

… Demands Unreserve Apology for Abandoning Them

Kaduna based political group has expressed anger over the relocation of former President Muhammadu Buhari to his Kaduna residence after several years of abandoning the State .

The group, which asked Buhari to return to back to his Katsina hometown, said they never expected that he could stay away from Kaduna for 24 hours after he left office as Nigeria’s President .

According to the forum, all the privileges the former President has enjoyed and success achieved over years apparently were due to his link to Kaduna, the historical headquarters of the northern region.

It was widely reported that the former President Buhari relocated from his hometown, Daura in Katsina State, to his residence in Kaduna, marking the end of a 21-month stay since leaving office in May 2023.

In a Statement issued today and made to journalists in Kaduna the forum explained: “Buhari abandoned us after he became the President and worst still, Daura home town became his favorite place of abode .

In the statement signed Dr. Musa Ibrahim Gusau the angry members posited, ” We have always supported Buhari in all aspects of his life from the days of military rule to when he decided to join politics and ran for the highly coveted seat of President.

“He later became President in 2015 and suddenly abandoned Kaduna people from 2015 to 2023 .Today he has returned to Kaduna and expect us to give same unalloyed and organic support.

“We used to love Buhari for his regards and respect for the masses .We also strongly believe in his unquenching passion to fight corruption and work for emancipation of the talakawas ,but out mindset had changed now .

“The decision to condemn his renewed decision to relocate to Kaduna was out of anger; pains and feelings of abandonment .

“We are sad that after he became the president, he simply changed and started going to his Daura home town .Kaduna people voted for him;stood for him, but when he became President ,he abandoned Kaduna now he has returned to stay in Kaduna.

“We are therefore call on the former President to apologize to all his supporters or return to Katsina.”

By Ojo Shola

The Executive Director of Retail and Digital Business at Wema Bank, Tunde Mabawonku, on Tuesday described Artificial Intelligence (AI) as the future of Nigeria, hence the need for the right investment in it.

The bank executive spoke while remarking on the launch of an initiative to establish a state-of-the-art Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre in Nigeria, with the groundbreaking event happening in Kagarko, Kagarko Local Government area of Kaduna State.

He said, his financial outfit, in partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), decided to partner in putting the centre in place as a way of bringing AI hub to young people at the community level.

According to Mabawonku, “The goal was to create a “skillnovate” platform that enables young people to acquire ICT skills, digital skills, and social skills, ultimately adding income to them”.

Mabawonku emphasized that providing the required resources for basic coding and understanding of AI was crucial to making Nigeria an AI hub.

“Ours is to create what we call “skill novate” to empower young people and enable them to ICT skills, digital skills and social skills, and then it adds income to them.

“When people come to the NYSC for the national service, they are largely unsure of what to do within and outside the service.

“So the thinking is that for that one year or thereabouts they will spend during the national service, can they have a centre like this where they can upgrade themselves digitally so by the end of the service, they can do a lot on their own.

“So we are in partnership with the NYSC to create that platform for development for Nigerian youths.

“The best approach to making the country an AI hub is to provide the required resources for the basic coding and basic understanding of AI.

“These days, you don’t need to be a computer guru to learn AI. They are human-created tools that one can just listen to and learn greatly.

“So, we are going to equip the centre and subsequent ones with the best technology so that the young people can learn and start doing things with AI as seen in countries like China and Japan, among others.

“You can see on your social media handles how the service providers are imbuing AI in them.

“The idea of putting this facility here in Kagarko and not Kaduna is that we have noticed that when we are planning development, we always abandon the hinterlands.

“Everybody is concentrating in State capitals. So, working with the NYSC, we chose this area so we can bring the youths around together to learn and fortunately, the location is close to Abuja and Kaduna”, he added.

Tired of waiting for their entitlements to be paid after being sacked in 2017, the Kaduna State Illegally Disengaged Teachers Forum has publicly condemned former Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s administration for its actions. The teachers, who were dismissed after allegedly failing a competency test, claim the test was unfair and designed to reduce the workforce.

According to the teachers, God will punish El-Rufai for making them suffer untold hardship over the past seven years without paying their entitlements. They also expressed happiness that El-Rufai is already facing the consequences of his actions.

The El-Rufai-led government had sacked 21,000 out of 30,000 primary school teachers who failed the competency test. However, the State Coordinator of KSIDF, Comrade Aminu Maitama, revealed that the test was not conducted in good faith. Maitama personally scored 70% on the test but was still sacked, leading him to question the motives behind the test.

Maitama accused El-Rufai’s administration of using the test as a pretext to reduce the number of teachers and cut costs, without considering the impact on education in the state.

The teachers have appealed to Governor Uba Sani to reconsider their case and pay their entitlements. They also commended Governor Sani for releasing N548 million in withheld funds to the Nigerian Union of Teachers Endwell scheme. Additionally, they requested another competency test to assess their eligibility for reinstatement.