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Senate

Natasha Akpoti
Headlines

Row In Senate As Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Dropped From UN Summit Delegation

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

A fresh controversy has erupted in the Senate over Nigeria’s delegation to the 2026 session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York, as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that she was excluded from the official delegation despite indications that she was earlier being prepared for the trip.

The dispute surfaced as the global conference on gender equality and women’s empowerment commenced on Monday in New York, drawing government officials, activists, and policymakers from across the world.

At the centre of the controversy was the Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Ireti Heebah Kingibe, who chairs the Senate Committee on Women Affairs.

Kingibe had earlier taken a strong position during a Senate budget presentation session, reportedly warning that she would boycott the international conference if Akpoti-Uduaghan was excluded from the delegation.

The FCT senator, according to sources at the meeting, said, “If Senator Natasha Akpoti is not going to attend the programme, it means I am not going to attend too.”

The remark was widely interpreted within the National Assembly as an expression of solidarity with the Kogi Central senator.

However, subsequent developments appeared to contradict that position.

In a letter dated March 5, 2026, addressed to Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan sighted by THISDAY last week, Kingibe clarified that only two senators had been officially nominated and registered for the CSW meeting by the Senate leadership.

“For the sake of clarity, I can confirm that at this stage, only two members of the Senate have been officially nominated by the Senate President and have confirmed registration: myself and Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire,” the letter stated.

Kingibe also explained that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs had yet to finalise the broader list of delegates or conclude travel and accommodation arrangements for the Nigerian team.

But documents and messages circulating online suggested thatAkpoti-Uduaghan might have been initially considered for the trip.

A WhatsApp message allegedly sent by an aide linked to Kingibeshowed a request to the Personal Assistant to the Kogi Central senator asking for the “principal’s data page,” a reference to her international passport, for the CSW programme in New York.

The message read: “Good afternoon ma’am… Please we need your principal’s data page for CSW New York.”

Shortly after, an image of an international passport data page was reportedly forwarded in response.

The development has fuelled speculation within political circles about what might have changed between the early preparations and the final list of nominees.

The controversy has also ignited debate about Nigeria’s representation at a global conference dedicated to women’s rights and gender equality.

Nigeria currently has very few female senators in the National Assembly, including Kingibe and Akpoti-Uduaghan.

 

 

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Headlines

Senate adopts electronic, manual transmission of election results

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Senate on Tuesday made a U-turn by rescinding its earlier decision rejecting real-time electronic transmission of election results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission Results Viewing Portal (IReV) “provided that if the electronic transmission fails and it becomes difficult to transmit the results, the form EC8A will be the primary means of collation.”

The resolution followed its consideration and approval of a motion moved by the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North) during its emergency plenary session in Abuja.

The Minority Leader, Abba Moro, seconded the motion.

The proposal in clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026, was amended by the Senate before it was passed by the Senate.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the new amendment before putting it to vote.

Akpabio said: “The clause being debated provided that presiding officers shall electronically transmit the results from the polling units to the INEC’s IReV portal and provided that if the electronic transmission fails and it becomes difficult to transmit the results, the Form EC8A will be the primary means of collation.”

Monguno’s motion titled “Motion for rescission on clause 60(3) of the electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2026” read: “The Senate: Recalls that the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill was passed by the Senate on Wednesday, 4th February, 2026;

“Notes that upon careful examination of the Bill, fresh issues have emerged in respect of Clause 60(3), which requires further legislative consideration in order to ensure the conduct of smooth, transparent, and credible elections in Nigeria; and

“Relying on the provisions of Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023 (as amended).

“Accordingly resolves to: (i). Rescind its earlier decision on Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill as previously passed; and (ii). Recommit Clause 60(3) to the Committee of the Whole for further reconsideration and passage.”

Monguno said the decision to rescind the Senate’s earlier rejection of electronic transmission was informed by the need for the Electoral Act to reflect the wishes of Nigerians.

“This amendment is to bring our laws to make it a replica of the wishes and aspirations of the people,” he said.

Majority of Senators voted to approve the new amendment when the new amendment was put to vote.

 

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NIgerian Military
Headlines

JUST IN: Senate Approves Troops Deployment to Benin Republic

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to deploy Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin as part of regional efforts to restore stability following last weekend’s attempted coup in the neighboring country.

The approval was announced on Tuesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary, after lawmakers considered the request in the Committee of the Whole in accordance with Section 5, Part II of the Constitution.

Senators unanimously endorsed the deployment, giving legislative backing to Nigeria’s participation in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) security response.

Akpabio described the move as necessary for regional stability, noting that political unrest in any West African state poses potential threats to others.

“An injury to one is an injury to all,” he said, stressing Nigeria’s responsibility to support its ECOWAS partners.

In his letter to the upper chamber, President Tinubu said Nigeria carries a historic obligation under existing ECOWAS security arrangements to assist Benin. He warned that the situation demanded swift intervention to prevent further deterioration.

The attempted coup occurred on Sunday, when a group of soldiers identifying themselves as the “Military Committee for Refoundation” appeared on state television to announce the removal of President Patrice Talon. Loyalist forces, however, quickly regained control, thwarting the plot.

Following the failed takeover, ECOWAS announced the activation of its standby force.

According to the bloc, the regional force will comprise troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana, with a mandate “to support the Government and the Republican Army of Benin to preserve constitutional order and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Benin.”

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Headlines

BREAKING: Senate Confirms Ex-CDS Christopher Musa as Defence Minister

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Senate has approved the appointment of former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, as Minister of Defence following a five-hour questioning by lawmakers on Wednesday.

General Musa was approved by lawmakers in the Senate chambers after his screening, just a day after President Bola Tinubu put forward his nomination for the role.

More details to follow…

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Senator Natasha
Headlines

JUST IN: You can’t resume Senate now, NASS tells Natasha

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The National Assembly (NASS) has informed suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, that she cannot resume her legislative duties yet after serving her six-month suspension.

According to the National Assembly bureaucracy, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension remains in effect as the case is still before the Court of Appeal.

Tribune Online earlier reports that after the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled in favour of the Senate, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, dissatisfied with the judgment, approached the appellate court seeking redress.

In a letter dated September 4, 2025, and signed by the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly (Ag. CNA), Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, the Parliament acknowledged receipt of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s notification of her intended return to the Senate on the same date, which she cited as the end of her six-month suspension.

However, the letter clarified that her suspension, effective from March 6, 2025, remains in force while the matter is subjudice.

“The matter, therefore, remains subjudice, and until the judicial process is concluded and the Senate formally reviews the suspension in the light of the court’s pronouncement, no administrative action can be taken by this office to facilitate your resumption,” the letter read.

Dr. Danzaria further assured that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan “will be duly notified of the Senate’s decision on the matter as soon as it is resolved.”

Recall that Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Senate in March 2025 following an alleged misconduct involving a dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seat arrangements during a plenary session on the floor of the Red Chamber.

The letter emphasised that the Senate will only review her suspension after the Court of Appeal delivers its final judgement.

 

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Senate
Headlines

N210tn Probe: Senate Blasts NNPCL for Absence, Vows Constitutional Action

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Nigerian Senate Committee on Public Accounts has issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) following the company’s failure to appear before lawmakers probing alleged financial discrepancies amounting to over N210 trillion in its audited financial reports from 2017 to 2023.

Despite being formally summoned, NNPCL officials and external auditors failed to attend Thursday’s session. In contrast, representatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Department of State Services (DSS) were present.

Reading a letter dated June 25 from NNPCL’s Chief Financial Officer, Dapo Segun, the committee was informed that the company’s top executives were away on a management retreat. The letter also requested a two-month extension to enable the collation of relevant documents and responses.

“Having carefully reviewed your request, we hereby request your kind consideration to reschedule the engagement for two months from now… Members of the board and senior management team are currently out of the office for a retreat,” the letter stated.

Lawmakers, however, rejected the request, describing it as evasive and unacceptable.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Aliyu Wadada, insisted that NNPCL had already been served 11 specific audit queries and was only expected to provide oral responses.

“For an institution like NNPCL to ask for two months to respond to questions from its own audited records is unacceptable,” Wadada said. “If they fail to show up by July 10, we will invoke our constitutional powers. The Nigerian people deserve answers.”

Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) stressed that the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Bayo Ojulari, who assumed office on April 2, 2025, must personally appear before the committee at the rescheduled session.

Supporting the stance, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) remarked that the request for more time appeared to be an attempt to evade accountability.

“We will still grant them a fair hearing, but they must appear by July 10,” Nwebonyi said.

Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) issued a stern warning to NNPCL: “If they fail to appear again, Nigerians will know the Senate is not a toothless bulldog.”

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Boko Haram
Headlines

Senate Task Military Redeployment to Borno, Yobe Over Renewed Boko Haram Attacks

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday called on the military to urgently redeploy personnel and advanced equipment to Borno and Yobe states in response to a resurgence of Boko Haram attacks in the North-East.

The resolution followed fresh insurgent assaults in the region, including the killing of more than a dozen soldiers in Marte, Monguno Local Government Area, on Monday, May 12, and another attack on Gajiram, headquarters of Nganzai Local Government Area, early Tuesday.

Raising a motion on the matter, Senate Chief Whip Tahir Munguno noted that although two-thirds of Borno’s local government areas were previously under Boko Haram control, a joint effort by the military and the civilian joint task force had reclaimed the territories.

He explained that the relative peace restored in the area had led to a shift in tactical military focus to the North-West, where security forces are currently battling banditry and kidnapping.

Munguno expressed concern over the evolving strategies of the insurgents, citing their use of modern technologies such as drones and an increase in improvised explosive devices, which have resulted in heavy civilian and military casualties, as well as the disruption of transportation routes.

The Senate, in its resolution, urged the military high command to promptly redeploy sufficient troops to the affected areas and ensure they are equipped with modern technology to counter the renewed threat. It also mandated its Committees on Army and Air Force to monitor the implementation of the directive.

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Senate
Headlines

JUST IN: Senate passes tax reform bills

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The two bills passed are the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.

These bills were passed after the senators reviewed the report of an ad hoc committee chaired by Niger East Senator Sani Musa. The committee was constituted to address controversies and disputes surrounding the proposed reforms. On Wednesday, each clause of the bills were debated and considered at the Committee of the Whole.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced passage of the bills after a majority of the senators supported them through voice vote.

Mr Akpabio said the Senate will set up a committee to harmonise its decision on the bills wit the version passed by the House of Representatives in March. Once harmonised, the unified bills will be transmitted to President Tinubu for assent.

The senate president said the remaining two bills, the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024 and the Tax Administration Bill, would be passed on Thursday.

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Senate
Headlines

Senate Sets Up 18-Member Committee to Oversee Rivers Sole Administrator

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Nigerian Senate has constituted an 18-member committee to oversee the activities of the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.).

According to the Senate, the move aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the governance of the state.

Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, was appointed chairman of the committee. The announcement was made by Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, during Tuesday’s plenary session.

Akpabio emphasized the importance of the committee’s mandate, describing it as crucial for ensuring effective legislative oversight in Rivers State. He also noted that the committee’s composition may be reviewed following further consultations.

Members of the committee include Senators Adamu Aliero, Osita Izunaso, Osita Ngwu, Kaka Shehu, Aminu Abass, Tokunbo Abiru, Adeniyi Adebire, Sani Musa, Simon Lalong, Asuquo Ekpeyong, Adams Oshiomhole, Ireti Kingibe, Onyekachi, Idiat Adebule, Ide Dafinone, and Mohammed, along with the Clerk of the Senate.

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Natasha
Headlines

BREAKING: Senate Suspends Senator Natasha for 6 Months

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Nigerian Senate has suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over allegations of misconduct, effective today, March 6, 2025.

This follows the recommendation of the Senate Committee on Public Conduct, Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.

The panel had recommended a six-month suspension for the senator. The committee also proposed that during the suspension period, her office will be locked, and she will be barred from accessing the National Assembly premises during the suspension period while her salaries and those of her legislative aides will be withdrawn.

In February, Senator Natasha had a disagreement with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements in the chamber. The situation escalated a few days later when she accused Akpabio of sexual harassment.

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