National

By Uzair Adam 

Suspended senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) has alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio made inappropriate comments about her, including remarks about her waist.  

In an interview with the BBC, she claimed Akpabio would “squeeze my hands in a very suggestive way,” adding, “We women, we know what it means when a man squeezes our hands in a suggestive way.”  

Akpoti recounted an incident where she forgot to wear her ring and was confronted by Akpabio in the presence of other senators.  

“There was a time I forgot to wear my ring because I rushed to work, and there were about five senators there. 

“Akpabio said, ‘Oh Natasha, you are not wearing your ring… is this an invitation to treat?’” she said.  

She further alleged that Akpabio made another remark about her body, saying, “Natasha, your husband is really enjoying. It looks like you’d be able to make good movements with your waist.”  

According to Akpoti, other senators laughed at the comments, highlighting how such issues are often overlooked in Nigeria.  

“I just want a place where I would just work. I thought the worst was over, but I guess for a woman, it’s never really over, right?” she said.  

Akpoti was suspended by the Senate on March 6 for “gross misconduct and unruly behavior” following a confrontation with Akpabio over seating arrangements. 

The suspension came just a day after she submitted a petition accusing the Senate President of sexual harassment.  

However, the Senate has insisted that her suspension was unrelated to the petition.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Following a prolonged silence and social media appeals urging NNPP chieftain and former governor of Kano State, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, to address the ongoing political situation in Nigeria, Kwankwaso issued a statement to the press through his social media accounts.

Kwankwaso strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. The proclamation includes the suspension of Governor Similayi Fubara and all elected state legislators, a move Kwankwaso deems unconstitutional and dangerous for Nigeria’s democracy.

Reflecting on past political lessons, he expressed concern over the National Assembly’s rapid ratification of the president’s decision, calling it a deviation from proper legislative procedures. “This 10th Assembly has become more rubberstamp than any of its predecessors,” he stated.

Kwankwaso also condemned the involvement of military leadership in a civilian power structure, warning that such actions could lead to chaos and erode public trust in democratic institutions. He emphasized the risks of permitting military influence over civilian governance, recalling the need to keep military forces away from political power.

As the situation unfolds, the implications for democracy in Rivers State and across Nigeria remain uncertain, highlighting the necessity for political and judicial bodies to uphold the rule of law.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Prof. Salisu Shehu, has raised concerns over the deteriorating state of the Council’s library, describing it as “decaying and shameful.”

Prof. Shehu stated this during the opening ceremony of the Writing Workshop for Research and Development Database (RDD) & Library Management Information System (LMIS) Documentation and User Manual Development.

The event was held at Freshland Hotels, Mararaba, Nasarawa State, from March 17 to 20, 2025.

Voicing his disappointment over the library’s condition, Prof. Shehu questioned why Research Officers, Academic Staff, and Administrative Officers had not prioritized its improvement.

He further urged all employees, regardless of their departments, to take action in addressing the issue.

He described the library as the think tank of Nigerian education but lamented its current state.

According to him, this neglect is a collective failure that requires immediate attention. He stressed that he expected real change after the workshop.

Since assuming office, Prof. Shehu said he had visited the library multiple times and observed minor improvements. However, he maintained that these efforts were not enough.

He called for comprehensive reforms to transform the library into a modern center for knowledge and research.

Speaking on the purpose of the workshop, he explained that its primary aim was to develop system documentation and a user manual for the R&D Database and LMIS.

He noted that once these systems are fully implemented, they will enhance access to educational research by serving as a repository for completed studies, improve library management to ensure efficiency, and facilitate collaboration between the Council’s library and other research institutions.

He added that it’s of utmost importance to have a well-structured Library Management System and a robust Research and Development Database.

He also urged the Library and Informatics Centre and the Book Development Centre to ensure that all assessed books, whether recommended or not, are properly documented and easily accessible.

Earlier, Dr. Mandela Asebiomo, Director of the Library and Informatics Centre, explained that the workshop was to develop a dual-purpose software application for the Research and Development Database and the Library Management Information System.

He stated that digitizing research records and reports would support policy formulation and academic collaboration. He further noted that integrating the library with online access capabilities would enhance research interconnectivity and information sharing.

The workshop brought together experts from NERDC and other key stakeholders to develop practical solutions for modernizing the Council’s library and research database systems.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The federal government’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State has sparked widespread criticism, with legal experts and political analysts condemning the move as unconstitutional and politically motivated.

Prominent legal practitioner Abba Hikima, Esq. argues that President Bola Tinubu lacks the legal authority to suspend a democratically elected governor, deputy governor, and the members of the State House of Assembly. He insists that both Nigerian law and judicial precedents explicitly prohibit such actions.

“There’s nothing in the law or practice of proclamation of a state of emergency in Nigeria that empowers the president to suspend elected officials. Several judicial precedents outrightly prohibit this, and the president is not unaware,” Hikima said.

He further lamented a growing trend in Nigeria where those in authority deliberately violate the law to weaken their opponents. According to him, victims of such unconstitutional acts are often forced into long and uncertain legal battles, with little hope of enforcing favorable judgments.

State of Emergency Justification Questioned

Hikima also questioned the rationale behind declaring a state of emergency in Rivers, arguing that the conditions required for such a measure have not been met.

“There is no actual breakdown of law and public order in Rivers State that necessitates extraordinary federal intervention. Several states in Northern Nigeria currently face worse security challenges, yet the president has not declared a state of emergency there,” he said.

While clarifying that he is not advocating for emergency rule in any part of the country, Hikima described the Rivers case as unfair, unwarranted, and driven by political motives rather than genuine security concerns.

Violation of Democratic Principles

The lawyer also criticized the appointment of a sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs, pointing out that the president himself admitted that no government can function without all three arms.

“By appointing a sole administrator who will act as both lawmaker and executor, the president has contradicted his own statement. This move goes against the spirit of Nigeria’s legal and political system,” Hikima added.

Under a state of emergency, the federal government assumes temporary control over certain state functions, which could include deploying security forces, restricting rights such as movement and assembly, imposing curfews, or directing state resources toward security operations. However, Hikima warns that this latest declaration sets a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democracy.

National Assembly Urged to Resist Approval

With the National Assembly in session, Hikima has called on lawmakers to reject what he describes as a “brazen constitutional overreach.”

“The National Assembly has the power to prevent this embarrassment. The state of emergency can only come into effect after being approved by both houses with a two-thirds majority. Lawmakers have 48 hours to stand against this unconstitutional action,” he said.

As debate rages over the legality and necessity of the state of emergency in Rivers State, all eyes are now on the National Assembly to determine the next course of action.

By Uzair Adam 

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revoked the land allocated for the new National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja’s Central Business District.  

The Daily Reality reports that the 12-story building, which has remained uncompleted for two decades, was initially estimated to cost N16 billion when construction began in 2008. 

Despite raising over N62 billion through fundraisers and electoral activities, the project remains unfinished.  

A letter confirming the revocation, signed by the Director of Land Administration, Chijoke Nwankwoeze, on behalf of the minister, was addressed to the PDP National Chairman. 

Dated March 13, 2025, the letter cited the party’s failure to pay annual ground rents for 20 years—spanning from January 1, 2006, to January 1, 2025—as the reason for the decision.  

The letter referenced several public notices issued by the FCT Administration since 2023, urging allottees to clear outstanding dues on their properties. 

It also cited Section 28, Subsection 5 (a) and (b) of the Land Use Act, which grants the government the authority to revoke land over breaches of the terms of occupancy.  

With the revocation now in effect, the land has reverted to the FCT Administration, which plans to take immediate possession. As of the time of filing this report, PDP had yet to issue an official response.

By Bilyamin Abdulmumin, PhD

On the 25th of February, the former president Mallam Alhaji Shehu Shagari posthumously celebrated his 100th birthday. To honor this significant occasion, his grandchild, Bello Shagari, wrote him a letter in heaven, where he now resides, inshallah.

In the letter, Shagari told his grandfather the entire story he had missed during the seven years since he left. He perhaps started with what would have concerned him the most: Muhammadu Buhari completed his eight-year tenure but never fulfilled the promise to honor him, even though a similar gesture was extended to MKO Abiola for recognizing June 12 and renaming the Abuja stadium after him, as well as completing a mausoleum for Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.

The letter continued: Bola Ahmed Tinubu has become the President of Nigeria, but surprisingly, Nigerians are now more patient with the burden of reforms than they were before when they celebrated coups.

Another piece of information shared in the letter was the launch of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida’s autobiography, a book surrounded by controversies on all sides. Interestingly, the book cleared Shagari of corruption.

The objective of this article was the Presidential Library the Shagari family is considering, as mentioned in the letter. The family hopes to achieve that by converting his decaying house into a historical monument.

Just before that birthday, a fatherly figure sent me a viral video of an old house belonging to Shehu Shagari, which had fallen into disrepair. The video was interestingly captioned with a suggestion: converting the house into a presidential library. The viral video may have already reached the Shagari family, who might have already contemplated it.

I think that so far, the only official presidential library we have in Nigeria is the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL). The complex is described as a mini village, featuring an open-air amphitheater, an auditorium, a hotel, an amusement park, a wildlife park, an observation point, restaurants and bars, a Jumu’at mosque, and of course, a church.

I was surprised to learn that OOPL has a Jumu’at mosque. This highlights not only the size of the village surrounding the library but also the diverse local and international users.

Ultimately, a promising archive of this significance—a repository of presidential documents, a tourist attraction, and an academic center—stands as a proud monument not only for a specific state or region but for all of Nigeria.

As the only democratically elected president of Nigeria’s Second Republic, the call to preserve his legacy for future generations cannot be overstated. Dear Nigerians, in memory of Alhaji Shehu Shagari, let’s make this dream a reality.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of new ambassadors to represent Nigeria in its foreign missions. This ends an 18-month diplomatic vacuum that began after all ambassadors were recalled in September 2023.

The recall, which impacted both career and non-career ambassadors, was due to funding constraints and a wider restructuring of Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements. However, sources within the presidency confirm that the financial issues have now been resolved, clearing the path for new appointments.

The selection process for the new envoys is already underway, with security agencies conducting background checks on nominees before their formal announcement and confirmation. The move is expected to restore Nigeria’s diplomatic presence globally and strengthen bilateral relations with key partners.

Nigeria currently operates over 100 embassies and high commissions worldwide, and the prolonged absence of ambassadors has raised concerns about the country’s foreign policy direction. Despite these challenges, President Tinubu’s administration has prioritized economic recovery, allocating N302.4 billion ($198.3 million) in the 2025 budget for Nigeria’s foreign missions.

During meetings with foreign leaders, President Tinubu assured that vacancies would be filled soon, recognizing the need for a strong diplomatic corps to advance Nigeria’s global interests. The new appointments are expected to refresh Nigeria’s foreign policy and enhance its influence internationally.

Observers note that the new ambassadors will foster economic partnerships, attract foreign investments, and promoteNigeria’s image abroad. With their deployment approaching, stakeholders are watching how the diplomatic team navigates the global landscape to advance Nigeria’s interests.

By Zayyad I. Muhammad

The 2027 game will not only be interesting but will also mark a significant turning point in Nigeria’s political landscape. The voting patterns and intricate scheming that shaped the 2023 elections will not be replicated in their exact form, yet their influence will still be felt. While the key political figures who played major roles in 2023 will remain central to the unfolding drama, they will adopt new strategies, shift alliances, and engage in different forms of political maneuvering.

The battle for power will be defined by strong political platforms, influential players, a formidable war chest, scientifically crafted strategies, and carefully calculated negotiations. The presidential race, in particular, will be a high-stakes contest, shaped by a mix of ambition, ideological shifts, and pragmatic political decisions.

An incumbent seeking a second term will be a bulldozer—with an enormous war chest, a solid structure, and the full weight of state power behind them. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will fight tooth and nail to secure reelection, as mostly, any first term president will do so. However, the APC stronghold – the North, is gradually slipping from the party’s grasp. In fact, 75% of President Tinubu’s second-term resources and energy will be expended in the North—making it a crucial battleground for his team. If the Tinubus have played their card very well, the North would have been firmly in the arms.

The North will be the main battleground, while the Southwest will find itself in a dilemma—torn between supporting their own and upholding their deep-rooted tradition of rewarding excellence. The Southeast will watch from the sidelines with arms akimbo but will ultimately follow their hearts, while the South-South may take a more indifferent stance, adopting a “let’s just move” attitude.

The recent resignation of Nasir El-Rufai from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) is just one of many major developments that will reshape the political terrain in the coming months and 2027 approaches. El-Rufa’i’s early defection serves as a catalyst for the unfolding political drama. The Tinubu team is fortunate to have this early warning, giving them ample time to strategize. Meanwhile, the opposition will be on the offensive, while the APC will be forced into a defensive position.

For the opposition, the biggest challenge will be balancing the interests of four key groups: the Atiku camp, the Kwankwaso camp, the Peter Obi camp, and the El-Rufai/Buhari former ministers’ camp. They must navigate these competing interests carefully if they hope to strike the winning formula.

As political camps solidify and realign, new alliances will emerge, while old ones will fracture under the weight of conflicting interests. The electorate, too, will evolve—demanding more from their leaders and scrutinizing candidates beyond party affiliations.

Ultimately, the 2027 game will be a masterclass in political strategy and power dynamics—one that students of politics, analysts, and observers alike will find fascinating to study for years to come.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Abuja, zaymohd@yahoo.com, 08036070980

By Fatimah Yusuf Usman

The political exclusion of women in Nigeria has once again come to the fore with the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Her alleged offense? Speaking up. Her punishment?

A swift and harsh six-month expulsion from the Senate, her office sealed, salary cut off, and access to the National Assembly revoked. Her ordeal began when she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, an allegation that was neither investigated nor given a fair hearing.

Instead, the Senate’s Ethics Committee moved with unusual speed to shut her out. This raises an urgent question. Is there space for women in Nigerian politics beyond tokenism, or must they submit and endure injustice to survive?

Sexual harassment remains a global crisis, yet many societies, including Nigeria, prefer to sweep it under the carpet. Worldwide, one in three women, about 736 million, has experienced physical and or sexual violence.

But when victims muster the courage to speak up, they are often met with disbelief, scrutiny, or punishment. Natasha’s case is no different. Rather than handling the matter with fairness and transparency, the Senate wasted no time in punishing her.

A six-month suspension without pay seems less like a disciplinary measure and more like a warning to women in politics. Know your place or face the consequences. If this can happen at the highest levels of government, what hope is there for the ordinary Nigerian woman facing harassment in her workplace, school, or community?

Women in Nigeria’s political space face a glass ceiling reinforced with steel. Out of 109 senators, only a handful are women, a stark reminder of the gender imbalance that continues to define governance in the country.

And when women like Natasha refuse to conform to the unwritten rules of submission, the system moves to silence them. But even as she was escorted out of the Senate chambers, Natasha refused to be broken.

“This injustice will not be sustained,” she declared. Her words are a rallying cry, not just for herself, but for every woman who has been silenced, sidelined, or denied justice. The idea that politics is a “man’s world” must be dismantled.

Nigeria cannot claim to be a democracy while women’s voices are suppressed. Gender equity in governance is not a privilege. It is a right. The Senate’s handling of this case has only reinforced the perception that powerful men can get away with anything while women who dare to challenge them are punished.

If Natasha’s case has taught us anything, it is that the struggle for women’s political inclusion is far from over. But if we do not confront this now, when will we? How long will women continue to be punished for demanding dignity, fairness, and equal representation?

This is no longer just about Natasha. It is about every woman who has been ignored, intimidated, or denied justice. If we allow this injustice to stand, we send a dangerous message that a woman’s voice does not matter. But we refuse to accept that.

We stand with Natasha. We stand with every woman who has been silenced. And we demand justice, not just for her, but for all of us.

Fatimah Yusuf Usman is a Corps Member serving at PRNigeria Centre, Abuja. can be reached via: fatimahborkono@gmail.com

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

In a significant move to honour a distinguished Nigerian statesman, President Bola Tinubu has officially renamed the Federal University of Education in Kano (formerly Federal College of Education) to Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education. This decision, announced on March 10, 2025, pays tribute to the late Alhaji Sule, who played a vital role in Nigeria’s socio-political landscape throughout his life.

Alhaji Sule, who lived from 1929 to 2017, was renowned for his extensive contributions to the nation. He served as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York and was Chairman of the UN Special Committee Against Apartheid. 

The political journey of Alhaji Sule, also known as Dan Masanin Kano, included roles as Chief Whip of the Federal House of Representatives from 1954 to 1959, Leader of Nigeria’s Delegation to the Conference of Independent States in 1960, the First Federal Commissioner of Public Complaints in 1976, and Minister of Mines and Power.

In his statement, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of commemorating Ambassador Sule’s legacy, stating that it would inspire younger generations to embody values such as integrity, patriotism, character, and nationalism.

The Federal University of Education, Kano, which is one of seven specialized universities of education established by the Federal Government, will continue to play a crucial role in the training of teachers, further strengthening Nigeria’s education sector. 

This renaming reflects a commitment to recognizing leaders who have made impactful contributions to the nation’s development, setting a precedent for future generations.