By Adenike Lawal

The Peoples Democratic Party in Benue State has demanded the immediate reinstatement of 13 suspended lawmakers, describing their removal as an assault on democracy and a ploy to silence opposition.

In a fiery statement on Tuesday, the party’s spokesperson, Tim Nyor, condemned the action of the Benue State House of Assembly as unjust and unconstitutional, accusing the leadership of punishing lawmakers who resisted what he called an illegal move to oust the Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambwese.

“These lawmakers were targeted for standing in defense of democracy and the rule of law,” Nyor said. “Their suspension is not only undemocratic but denies nearly two million constituents their right to representation.”

The PDP warned that the incident reflects dangerous executive interference in legislative affairs and undermines judicial independence.

Nyor added that despite public backlash and legal outcry, the government has remained unmoved.

Calling the move a betrayal of democratic values, the PDP urged the Assembly to recall the affected lawmakers without delay, insisting their return is vital to restoring legislative integrity and the voice of the people in Benue.

By Adenike Lawal

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has lashed out at former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi over critical comments he made about Nigeria during a lecture at Johns Hopkins University in the United States.

Speaking at the event, Obi outlined Nigeria’s economic struggles over the past 25 years, blaming missed opportunities and poor governance for the nation’s deepening poverty.

He compared Nigeria unfavourably with countries like China, Vietnam, and Indonesia, claiming that Nigeria now has more people living in poverty than the three countries combined.

Reacting sharply, Sanwo-Olu accused Obi of damaging Nigeria’s image on the global stage rather than offering constructive criticism.

In a statement titled “Factually Addressing Mr Peter Obi’s Criticism of Nigeria at Johns Hopkins University,” he argued that patriotism demands leaders promote their country abroad despite political differences.

“It is one thing to criticise a government constructively; it is another to demarket the entire nation on foreign soil. That is not patriotism,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He questioned Obi’s credibility on poverty issues, citing statistics showing that poverty in Anambra State rose from 41.4 percent to 53.7 percent during Obi’s tenure as governor.

In contrast, he noted, Obi’s successor, Willie Obiano, reportedly slashed the rate to 14.8 percent.

Sanwo-Olu also criticised Obi’s record on infrastructure, stating that he failed to build new schools or stand-alone hospitals while in office, weakening his position to lecture others on poverty alleviation.

Highlighting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts, Sanwo-Olu pointed out that Tinubu’s government had already facilitated the construction of over 200 schools, provided credit facilities worth more than 500 million dollars for SMEs, and approved student loans for over 200,000 undergraduates within two years.

“These are tangible steps to fight generational poverty—steps that Mr Obi failed to take when he had the opportunity,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The Lagos governor insisted Obi’s portrayal of Nigeria was selective and misleading, ignoring both his own shortcomings and the broader challenges facing a developing nation.

By Adenike Lawal

Suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has unleashed a stinging satirical “apology” aimed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio, sharply criticizing what she calls the culture of submission over merit in Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber.

In a statement posted on her Facebook page on Sunday, Akpoti-Uduaghan cloaked serious accusations in biting sarcasm.

She mockingly apologized for the “crime” of maintaining dignity and refusing to bow to what she described as inappropriate demands.

“With the deepest sarcasm and utmost theatrical regret,” she wrote, “I tender this apology for the grievous crime of possessing dignity and self-respect in your most exalted presence.”

She accused Akpabio of presiding over a Senate where loyalty is prized above competence, hinting that her refusal to yield to alleged sexual advances partly led to her suspension.

“How remiss of me not to understand that my refusal to indulge your… ‘requests’ was not merely a personal choice, but a constitutional violation of the unwritten laws of certain men’s entitlement,” she added.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months on March 6 after the Senate’s Ethics Committee accused her of misconduct during a February 20 plenary session.

Following her suspension, she lost her office, security details, and pay, and was barred from identifying as a senator both at home and abroad.

Although the Senate had demanded a written apology as a condition for lifting her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s response appears anything but submissive.

Taking her battle beyond Nigerian borders, she addressed delegates at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting at the United Nations in New York on March 11, claiming harassment and political persecution.

While the IPU promised to review her claims, a Nigerian delegate at the event insisted her suspension was purely procedural.

Meanwhile, security agencies have launched a probe into how she gained access to the UN session, alleging breaches of diplomatic protocol—an accusation she dismissed, saying she registered independently as a past attendee.

As investigations unfold, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s fierce stand continues to spark debates on gender rights, political power play, and accountability in Nigeria’s Senate.