Nelson Ugwuagbo

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, is set to return to the National Assembly this month following the completion of her six-month suspension.

Her counsel, Victor Giwa, confirmed the development in Abuja, noting that the lawmaker is currently on vacation in London but has made arrangements to resume plenary when the Senate reconvenes on September 23.

“Actually, she’s ready to resume her term. She’s in London. Everything is in place, and the six months have expired. The only thing left is her resumption,” Giwa said.

He added that the Senate leadership is not expected to hinder her return. “We have been told that even the leadership of the Senate is ready to welcome her. So that’s the situation at the moment. There is no obstacle at all,” he assured.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has expressed concern over Nigeria’s escalating debt profile, cautioning that it has reached a level capable of undermining the country’s economic stability.

Abbas raised the alarm on Monday in Abuja while speaking at the 11th Annual Conference and General Assembly of the West Africa Association of Public Accounts Committees (WAAPAC).

He disclosed that Nigeria’s total public debt stood at ₦149.39 trillion (about $97 billion) in the first quarter of 2025, a significant increase from ₦121.7 trillion recorded the previous year.

According to the Speaker, the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio has climbed to 52 percent, surpassing the 40 percent legal threshold.

“This is no longer just a budgetary issue but a structural crisis,” Abbas warned. “We must strengthen oversight, embrace transparency, and ensure every loan we take delivers real benefits to citizens.”

The Department of State Services (DSS) has given human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, a one-week ultimatum to delete a social media post it described as “false, malicious, and inciting” against President Bola Tinubu.

In a letter dated September 7, the DSS accused Sowore of making criminal and derogatory remarks in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on August 26, in which he referred to Tinubu as a “criminal” and accused the president of lying to Nigerians by claiming that corruption no longer exists under his administration.

According to the agency, the remarks have provoked public outrage and could potentially incite “disturbance, disunity, and even insurrection.”

The warning, signed by the DSS Director of Legal Services, Uwem Davies, stated that failure to comply would leave the service with no option but to “explore all lawful means” to safeguard national security and public order.

Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and a prominent pro-democracy activist, has not yet issued an official response to the directive.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned recent incidents in Kaduna, Katsina, and other parts of the country, describing them as a dangerous assault on civic freedoms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Atiku’s reaction followed Thursday’s invitation of former Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai and seven leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by the Kaduna State Police Command over alleged conspiracy, incitement, and public disturbance.

In a statement issued on Friday, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faulted the police action, warning that such moves amount to an attempt to silence opposition voices.

He also pointed to the attack on former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and the violent disruption of a meeting of the Katsina Elders Forum on security reforms as part of what he described as a disturbing pattern.

“These incidents are not isolated. They signify a coordinated assault on dissenting voices, civic freedoms, and the essence of pluralistic democracy,” Atiku said.

The former Vice President cautioned that criminalizing opposition activities and undermining civic engagement risk pushing Nigeria towards authoritarian rule.

He urged citizens to recognize the urgency of defending democratic values, stressing that safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy must be a shared responsibility.

The Coordinator Delta United for Progress, Chris Madu has said that the appointment of Ms. Isioma Theodora Ndah as the South-South Coordinator for the Reserved Seats for Women Bill is not only a testament to her unwavering commitment to women in politics but also a mark of trust in her proven leadership and her ability to mobilise, unify, and inspire.

In a statement by Chris Madu he said; “It is official. The office of the APC National Women Leader has confirmed the appointment of Ms Isioma Theodora Ndah as the South-South Coordinator for the Reserved Seats for Women Bill.

He said; “appointed by Dr Mary Alile Idele, National Women Leader of the APC, Ms Ndah steps into this role with deep political experience, a strong voice, and an unshakable commitment to fairness and inclusivity. A daughter of Delta State, she has long been recognised as one of the strongest political voices of South-South women, a bridge builder whose work cuts across divides, and a leader whose truthfulness and courage command respect.”

“Her political journey speaks volumes. She was the APC candidate for the Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency in the 2019 elections. She is also the National Coordinator of the National Frontiers and Mobilisation Initiative and the driving force behind the Odinma Anioma Group, both frontline APC support groups.”

“Her relentless work has consistently strengthened the party, advanced the cause of women, and built followership that goes beyond politics it is service to people, especially women who have been left behind in the corridors of power,” Madu said.

According to him, the Reserved Seats for Women Bill, now approaching its third reading in October 2025, represents a historic step towards balancing Nigeria’s political landscape.

“With this bill, women’s voices, long underrepresented, will finally find structured space and power in decision-making. And at the centre of this mission is Ms Isioma Ndah, whose new role will see her mobilise the South-South, galvanise women, and ensure the momentum does not fade.

“Her appointment is a merit to women, a strength to the APC, and a beacon of hope for millions of young women who now see that political leadership is not beyond their reach. Ms Ndah embodies the truth, resilience, and determination that this movement requires.

“In her, women find a unifier, the APC finds a dependable strategist, and Nigeria finds a new hope for inclusive governance.

“As the 2027 elections draw near, the name Isioma Theodora Ndah will not only stand as a Federal Representative-in-waiting but also as a living proof that women’s time in leadership is here, and it cannot be denied any longer.

“Isioma Ndah is more than an appointment. She is a voice, a movement, and a force,” Madu said.