Nelson Ugwuagbo

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, formally submitted a petition to the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment. This action follows her previous allegations made during a national television interview.

In response, Senate President Akpabio denied the allegations, stating, “I will like to state clearly that at no time did I ever attempt any sexual harassment on the said Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan or any other woman for that matter.”

Earlier in the day, protests erupted at the National Assembly complex, with supporters of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan calling for Akpabio’s resignation, while a pro-Akpabio group dismissed the allegations.

Prior to the formal submission, the Senate had stated that it could not investigate the allegations without a formal petition.

The Senate is expected to review the petition and determine the appropriate course of action in response to these allegations.

For further insights into the reactions surrounding these allegations, you might find the following video informative:

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force on Wednesday dispersed supporters of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as they attempted to access the National Assembly Complex.

The protesters, who arrived at the assembly gate as early as 8:00 a.m., coincided their demonstration with the resumption of plenary and the scheduled hearing of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.

However, police officers deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd, citing security concerns and the need to prevent a potential breakdown of law and order.

Following the intervention, the demonstrators reportedly relocated to the Unity Fountain in Abuja, where they continued their protest.

The demonstration comes amid rising tensions following a February 20, 2025, dispute between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements in the Senate chamber. The disagreement led to her referral to the Senate’s ethics committee.

Last Friday, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, alleging that she was being targeted for rejecting his advances. The claims have intensified public scrutiny of the Senate leadership.

Supporters of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and members of civil society organizations staged a protest at the National Assembly on Wednesday, calling for Senate President Godswill Akpabio to step down pending an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against him.

The protesters arrived at the National Assembly gate as early as 8:00 a.m., ahead of the day’s plenary session. Holding banners with inscriptions such as “Akpabio Must Go” and “Protect Women’s Rights”, they demanded accountability and urged the Senate to launch a probe into the allegations.

The protest follows accusations by Akpoti-Uduaghan, who alleged that Akpabio harassed her and retaliated after she rejected his advances. She made the claims during a live television interview, intensifying tensions within the Senate.

The controversy erupted after a seating arrangement change on February 20, 2025, which Akpoti-Uduaghan described as an act of retaliation.

A spokesperson for the protesting groups emphasized the need for an impartial investigation.

“We are here to demand justice for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and ensure accountability. No one is above the law,” the spokesperson said.

As of press time, neither Akpabio nor the Senate leadership had issued an official response to the demands.

The demonstration remained peaceful, with security operatives monitoring the situation.

An explosion at Gabster Mega Petrol Station in Orita Challenge, Ibadan, claimed two lives on Tuesday, the Oyo State Fire Services Agency has confirmed.

In a statement, Yemi Akinyinka, General Manager of the agency, said the victims—a petrol tanker driver and his motor boy—were burnt beyond recognition.

The fire service received a distress call about the incident at approximately 5:15 a.m. and immediately deployed personnel to the scene.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the tanker driver lost control due to a brake failure, causing the vehicle to spill its contents, which subsequently ignited.

“We got information about the GABSTAB Mega Petrol Station, Orita Challenge, fire incident at 5:15 a.m. and deployed our men immediately. The driver and motor boy were burnt to death,” Akinyinka stated.

He added that the fire had been extinguished and further details would be provided as investigations continue.

The House of Representatives has directed MultiChoice Nigeria to suspend the recent increase in subscription rates for its DStv and GOtv packages.

The resolution was passed during Tuesday’s plenary session following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Esosa Iyawe, a lawmaker from Edo State.

On February 24, MultiChoice announced a price hike across its subscription packages, nearly a year after a similar increase. Under the new pricing, which took effect on March 1, the DStv Premium bouquet rose from N37,000 to N44,500, while Compact+ increased from N25,000 to N30,000. The Compact package also saw a rise from N17,000 to N19,000.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) had earlier, on February 27, ordered MultiChoice to maintain its current subscription rates pending the conclusion of an investigation into the price adjustments.

Presenting the motion, Iyawe argued that MultiChoice holds a dominant position in Nigeria’s pay-TV sector, and its frequent price hikes place undue financial pressure on consumers. He noted that many subscribers have voiced their frustration on social media, citing a lack of service improvement despite the repeated increases and the government’s perceived inaction.

The motion was adopted after Speaker Tajudeen Abbas put it to a voice vote.

Following the resolution, the House mandated its Committee on Information to investigate the alleged arbitrary pricing by MultiChoice and ensure the implementation of cost-effective policies in the pay-TV sector for the benefit of consumers.

Senator David Jimkuta (APC-Taraba South) has alleged that 19 senators were denied permission to land at Kashimbilla Airport in Taraba State.

Speaking during his Senatorial Empowerment Programme in Wukari, where he distributed various items to constituents, Jimkuta expressed disappointment over the incident.

He explained that the Senate had selected the lawmakers to accompany him and witness the empowerment initiative. However, he was later informed that the airport had been temporarily closed, despite all necessary flight procedures being completed.

Jimkuta, who also serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Councils, said the visit was intended to help the senators assess the state’s needs and identify areas for intervention. He lamented that the unexpected closure of the airport had prevented them from attending the event.

During the programme, the senator urged beneficiaries not to sell the empowerment items but to utilize them for self-improvement. He also pledged logistical support to security agencies to enhance safety in the district.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has reduced the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, from N890 per litre to N825 per litre as competition intensifies in the country’s downstream sector.

NNPCL’s spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, confirmed the development in an interview with reporters on Monday. He stated that since the deregulation of the petroleum sector, the company has continued to adjust prices in response to market dynamics.

“As an energy company, it is not our practice to issue press releases or make public announcements for routine price adjustments at the pump, as such changes are a fundamental aspect of a market-driven system,” Soneye said.

He explained that the adjustments reflect prevailing market forces and ensure energy security while fostering an open and competitive environment in compliance with regulatory frameworks.

The price reduction follows a similar move by Dangote Refinery, which on March 1, 2025, lowered its ex-depot price by N65 per litre. This led its partner retail outlets to adjust pump prices to N860 per litre in Lagos, N870 in the South-West, N880 in the North, and N890 in the South-South and South-East.

Dangote Refinery stated that the adjustment was aimed at providing financial relief to Nigerians, particularly in celebration of the Ramadan season. The company said the move aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic recovery policy and is part of its commitment to reducing the cost of refined petroleum products.

The refinery noted that this marks its second price reduction in February 2025, following an earlier N60 decrease. It also recalled a previous reduction of N70.50 per litre in December 2024 during the Yuletide period, as part of efforts to ease the cost of living for Nigerians.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has called for urgent intervention in the dispute between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central.

Chairman of the association, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, described the feud as “shameful and unfortunate,” urging well-meaning Nigerians to step in to restore peace and maintain decorum in the National Assembly.

“There is a need for elders to intervene in the Akpabio-Natasha feud because all members of the National Assembly are honourable and should be accorded respect. Nigerians hold them in high regard,” he said.

Hayab emphasized that lawmakers must take necessary steps to resolve the issue and allow peace to prevail, stressing the importance of responsible conflict resolution.

He also cautioned against downplaying allegations of sexual harassment, stating that Nigeria had moved past the era where individuals claimed to be underdogs or minorities to evade serious accusations.

The CAN chairman urged the media to avoid sensationalizing the conflict, warning that such coverage could further divide the nation.

He called on National Assembly members to focus on improving the lives of Nigerians through their legislative duties, particularly after passing the 2025 national budget.

Hayab appealed to all parties involved in the dispute to exercise restraint and refrain from comments that could deepen divisions along gender or regional lines.