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Tag: Godswill Akpabio

  • State of emergency: Akpabio opens up on alleged $15,000 bribe to senators

    State of emergency: Akpabio opens up on alleged $15,000 bribe to senators

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio has debunked insinuations of a $15,000 bribe allegedly parceled to senators to endorse the proclamation of a state of emergency on Rivers State. He has described the rumours as part of a hate campaign directed against his person.

    Akpabio spoke for the first time on the swirling rumour in the social media space that he facilitated the disbursement of the dollar for votes in his Maitama residence during the breaking of fast with senators.

    Saturday Vanguard reports that the Senate President was alleged to have facilitated the disbursement of the dollars on two consecutive days; first $5,000 on Tuesday and then $10,000 on Wednesday, the eve of the vote on the proclamation.

    However, dismissing the allegation as part of the campaign of hate and malice against his person, Akpabio speaking through his Special Adviser on Media, Hon Eseme Eyiboh said:

    “I am aware and it is true that since Senator Godswill Akpabio, the president of the Senate assumed that position he has been breaking fast. He did it last year, he did it this year, so why is it turning it into a rumour?”

    Asking why Akpabio would be giving out dollars to his colleagues, he continued:
    “On the issue of the dollars, he is giving the money for what? I am aware of the breaking of the fast but I can tell you I am not aware and it is not true of the dollars, whether $5,000 or $10,000, people are just conjuring it to be able to give flavour to their malice and hate campaign.

    “People are just conjuring the story of the $5,000, $10,000 to add flavour to their malice and hate campaign. He has been doing it. He did it last year, so why is this one associated with money,” Eyiboh asked?

    Saturday Vanguard reports that the Senate and the House of Representatives passed the proclamation on a state of emergency in Rivers State with a unanimous voice vote on Thursday.

  • Senate, Reps approve Tinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers; Dickson tackles Akpabio

    Senate, Reps approve Tinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers; Dickson tackles Akpabio

    The Senate and House of Representatives, today, Thursday, passed and adopted the state of emergency proclamation of President Bola Tinubu in Rivers state, and the six-month suspension he slammed on Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

    Hours earlier, the House of Representatives passed and adopted the proclamation through a voice vote with 243 members in attendance.

    The House also made recommendations to the proclamation.

    The House recommended that a national committee should be set up to mitigate and restore peace back to Rivers State.

    Secondly, the National Assembly should take over the activities of the state Assembly within six months.

    Senate…

    At the upper chamber, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, announced the passage after a closed-door session that lasted over one hour.

    According to him, the Senate relied on its Orders 133, 134, 135 and 136.

    Earlier, Akpabio disclosed that Tinubu had written the Senate a letter of proclamation on the six-month suspension he slammed on Fubara.

    The letter read, aloud at plenary by Akpabio, said: “In compliance with the provisions of Section 305, Subsection 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, I hereby forward, for the Constitution of the Senate, copies of the official Gazette of the State of Emergency Proclamation 2025.

    “The main features of the proclamation are as follows:

  • I slept in Dangote cement factory on Natasha’s wedding day – Akpabio

    I slept in Dangote cement factory on Natasha’s wedding day – Akpabio

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio has claimed that he slept inside the Dangote Cement factory in Obajana Kogi State on the wedding day of the Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

    Akpabio, a former Minister of the Niger Delta, stated this on Thursday during plenary at the National Assembly.

    Akpabio described Natasha’s husband as his good friend, stressing that his attendance at their wedding signifies his closeness to the family.

    He said, “ I slept in the Dangote cement factory in Obajana, Kogi State on the night of Senator Natasha’s wedding because the Kogi airport lights were in a poor state.

    TodayPriceNG Online reports that the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions had recommended the suspension of the Kogi lawmaker for six months.

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio has claimed that he slept inside the Dangote Cement factory in Obajana Kogi State on the wedding day of the Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

    Akpabio, a former Minister of the Niger Delta, stated this on Thursday during plenary at the National Assembly.

    Akpabio described Natasha’s husband as his good friend, stressing that his attendance at their wedding signifies his closeness to the family.

    He said, “ I slept in the Dangote cement factory in Obajana, Kogi State on the night of Senator Natasha’s wedding because the Kogi airport lights were in a poor state.

    PUNCH Online reports that the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions had recommended the suspension of the Kogi lawmaker for six months.

  • Akpabio Vs Natasha: ACF calls for thorough, transparent investigation

    Akpabio Vs Natasha: ACF calls for thorough, transparent investigation

    Kaduna – The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed deep concern over the ongoing controversy in the 10th Senate involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central.

    In a statement issued by Prof. Tukur A. Muhammad-Baba, the ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, the group acknowledged the serious nature of the allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation raised by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, which have dominated media discussions and public discourse.

    “Many individuals and groups have voiced strong opinions on this matter. Even Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s husband has been compelled to speak publicly. These interventions risk tarnishing the reputation of the National Assembly, a body entrusted with making laws for the country,” the statement read.

    The ACF noted that while the dispute persists, the interests of Kogi Central constituents are not being adequately represented in the Senate.

    Furthermore, the group raised concerns about a possible bias against Northern Senators, pointing out that only lawmakers from the North have faced heavy sanctions, including suspensions, in the current Senate.

    “While this may seem far-fetched, ACF hopes that this is not part of a thinly veiled anti-Arewa agenda pervading Nigerian politics. The unfolding events raise questions about whether this is a pattern or merely a series of coincidences.”

    ACF calls for an independent, open, and transparent inquiry into the allegations to ensure justice is served and to prevent undue interference.

    The Senate must return to its core duty of law-making, especially at a time when Nigerians are struggling with economic hardships.

    The Northern Caucus in the 10th Senate should rally around Akpoti-Uduaghan to ensure she gets a fair hearing and is treated with respect and dignity.

    The National Assembly leadership and members must uphold moral rectitude, discipline, decorum, and integrity in their conduct.

    The 10th Senate’s reputation is at stake, and its members must act in a manner befitting their responsibilities.

    The ACF concluded by urging all parties involved to prioritize national interest and ensure that the Senate maintains its credibility both locally and internationally.

  • Civic group raises alarm over alleged AI voice cloning conspiracy targeting Akpabio

    Civic group raises alarm over alleged AI voice cloning conspiracy targeting Akpabio

    A civic organization known as the Societal Safety Network (SSN) has issued a warning regarding a purported scheme aimed at damaging the reputation of Senator Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Nigerian Senate, through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

    During a press conference held in Abuja on Sunday, Comrade Olalere Benedict, the Deputy Director of Publicity for SSN, asserted that this campaign involves the creation of AI-generated voice recordings and manipulated videos designed to disseminate false information about Senator Akpabio.

    The group claims that this alleged initiative is part of a larger strategy to discredit the Senate President and erode the integrity of the National Assembly.

    Benedict further accused Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of previously engaging in similar tactics, referencing controversies associated with the Ajaokuta Steel Company.

    In light of these serious allegations, the SSN has called upon Nigerian security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Police Force, and the National Security Adviser (NSA), to thoroughly investigate the situation.

    The organization also cautioned the public to be wary of misleading content generated by AI, emphasizing that this purported conspiracy could lead to misinformation and damage the Senate’s reputation.

    “We urge security agencies to stay alert and take the necessary actions to prevent the proliferation of this harmful propaganda,” Benedict said.

  • Alleged Sexual Harassment: Lawyers demand Akpabio’s probe

    Alleged Sexual Harassment: Lawyers demand Akpabio’s probe

    ABUJA– Legal practitioners, on Friday, demanded an urgent probe of the allegation of sexual harassment that was raised against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio by the female lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

    In separate interviews with Vanguard, the lawyers, described as weighty and grave, the female lawmaker’s claim that she was being victimized for refusing sexual advances from the Senate President.

    Warning that the matter should not be swept under the carpet, the legal practitioners however maintained that the law placed the burden of proof on the Kogi state lawmaker.

    According to Chief Chukwuma Nwachukwu, who is an Abuja-based human rights lawyer: “It will be in the interest of legislative sanctity for this issue not to be swept under the carpet as is usual in our political theater.

    “Matters of sexual harassment against women are taken very seriously in all civilized climes, especially since women are a vulnerable species and deserve to be afforded all available legal and institutional protections.

    “In the instant case, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has made a very grave allegation against the head of the legislative arm of Government in Nigeria, Senator God’s will Akpabio but she has an onerous burden to prove it as we hold it trite in law that he who alleges must prove.

    “So, the Female Senator must discharge this burden which the law has placed on her and I assure you that these are interesting times for the Senate of the Federal Republic nay the National Assembly.

    “If eventually found true, the Auguean stable must be cleansed. Institutional safeguards must be emplaced to ensure that matters as this do not have any space in our legislative system.”

    Another lawyer, Mr. Albert Effiong, said: “The allegation by Senator Natasha is a very serious one. It is important for the Federal Government to immediately constitute an independent investigative panel to look into the matter. In doing so, the Senator, who has alleged, must be allowed to produce her evidence as required by law. He or she who alleges must prove.

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    “Since Senator Akpabio is the head of the Senate, it will not be appropriate for the Senate to conduct the probe. However, if the Senate must carry out the investigation, then, Senator Akpabio must temporarily step down to make room for an objective probe. It is elementary law that one cannot be a judge in his case.

    “It is unfortunate and very embarrassing that both the accused and the accuser are very senior legal practitioners,” Effiong added.

    On his part, Mr. Obeta Williams said: “If indeed the allegation of sexual harassment against the Senate President is true, I believe that Senator Natasha, being a legal practitioner, knows what to do.

    “To me, going to the media to raise such a weighty allegation was wrong. I believe that there are internal mechanisms she could have explored. She could have forwarded a petition to the appropriate authorities.

    “This issue has not only rubbed ash on our apex lawmaking body, it has brought a national shame as Nigeria is currently trending for a negative reason.”

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