Author: Our Correspondent

By Joyce Babayeju

A Kogi central pressure group under the name of, Kogi Central Concerned Stakeholders have faulted Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan over her recent outburst against Senate President Godswill Akpabio in which she accused him of sexual harassment.

The group in a statement, signed by its covener, AbdulRaheem Adeku and made available to Daybreak Nigeria in Abuja apologized to the Senate President on behalf of Ebira people and also threatened to initiate Senator Natashia Akpoti Uduaghan’s recall if what they described as her “bad conduct” persists.

Details of the letter is reproduced below:

An Open Letter to distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio (GCON) President of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria: Kogi Central Concerned Stakeholders dissociates district from Senator Natasha’s Actions.

We the Kogi Central Concerned Stakeholders have observed with utmost dismay the ongoing brickbat between the Senate President, distinguished senator Godswill Akpabio and the senator representing Kogi central, Natasha Akpoti and wish to firmly dissociate ourselves from the unfolding events that has become a national concern.

As a revered institution of government, there is no gain saying that the National Assembly has standing rules that must be obeyed as an integral part of keeping the order but we regret to note in absolute terms that a matter that has to do with a simple compliance to rules has degenerated to a vitreous attack on the personality of the distinguished senate president, Godswill Akpabio.
We recall the immense support the senate president extended to senator Natasha long before she became a member of the National Assembly by virtue of his relationship with her then fiancée now husband who has been a family friend for over twenty years.

We shall not forget in a hurry how Kogi central stood still when the senator Akpabio led a contingent of very important personalities and politicians to attend the wedding ceremony of now senator Natasha to his friend and ally, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, a wedding ceremony that remained talk of the town even many months later.

This is testament to the respect shared and value of the relationship between Senator Akpabio and his friend, our in-law. Not to forget also that at the time hope was lost for senator Natasha’s bid to represent her people at the Senate, a glimmer of hope was restored again through the unwavering support of the senate president who at the time had nominated senator Abubakar Ohere as Chairman committee on Local Content to invariably hold space for Senator Natasha who was soon declared winner by the Court of Appeal.

Senator Natasha despite being a first timer, enjoyed the privilege of stepping into the reserved role, she become the Chairman Senate committee on local content, a committee many could describe as a juicy one.

As made public by senator Natasha, she also enjoyed the privilege of travelling to high profile international events with the Senate President where she took a number of selfies with him, additionally she enjoyed sundry privileges many of her Senator colleagues dared to get due to an existing family relationship.

It is also on record that due to Senator Natasha’ s first line of influence and connection to the Senate President, she was able to attract meaningful empowerment programmes which she has leveraged to boost and advance her political career back home.

It is however shocking to see that since the sexual harassment allegation against the Senate President, there has been so many allegations and counter allegations in both the social media and conventional media space, putting the peaceful people of Kogi central on the pedestal of public scrutiny.

Having acknowledged the overarching support, she has enjoyed over the past few months from the leadership of the senate, we would like to categorically dissociate and distance ourselves from the uncanny and inappropriate behavior of Senator Natasha.

We expect Senator Natasha to recognize her strength as an equal to other members of the red chamber, act as a distinguished member of the red chamber, concentrate on the mandate given to her by her people to protect our overall interest and desist from distracting everyone towards events that yield no common good.

As a people we are known for showing gratitude, loyalty and fidelity to friendship, we therefore condemn the actions, utterances and smear campaign of our daughter against distinguished senate president, Godswill Akpabio.
This is not in our character, hence, we the Kogi Central Concerned Stakeholders may be compelled by any further stretch of the ongoing public abuse of privilege of representation at the senate, commence the process of recall against Senator Natasha.

While pledging total support and loyalty to the senate president and entire members of the red chamber, we call on the senate to proceed with the laid down disciplinary measure, take the necessary and appropriate action to serve as deterrent to other serving senators.

Best wishes
AbdulRaheem Adeku
Convener

By Anne Azuka 

Delta State Government on Monday declared that any miner caught involving in unauthorized mining sites activities, especially those mining stones along the Ugbolu corridors in Oshimili North Local Government Area of the State would be arrested to face the wrath of the law.

The government frowned that such activities pose serious environmental hazards, threaten public safety, and violate existing mining regulations.

Speaking to newsmen in Asaba, the State Commissioner for Rural and Riverine Roads, who also serves as the Commissioner for Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu warned that government has vowed to crack down on offenders, ensuring they face legal consequences for their actions

He however, condemned the activities of illegal miners, stating that they pose a serious threat to the development of areas designated for infrastructure projects.

He specifically cited Ugbolu in Oshimili North Local Government Area, where the state government is actively working on expansion efforts as part of the Asaba Capital Territory Development Plan.

According to him, in addition to our efforts for human capital development, the Ugbolu heights, an area that we are bringing a map for development as part of the expansion of our urban renewal programs in the capital territory.

“These miners are destroying the landscape of that height, digging too deep and destroying the whole of the topography of that environment.

“As from henceforth, any of such persons found engaged in such activities along that Ogbolu heights will be arrested because they are causing a lot of harm to the environment and they are doing so without the permission of government.

“Even when they do realize that the place has been acquired by government for the purpose of advancing the development
of the capital territory.

“So in that form, the Ugbolu heights is not for mining. It is hereby prohibited”, he declared.

By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto

About 300 talented participants from Gada and Goronyo Federal Constituency have successfully completed a transformative 5-day entrepreneurship and skills acquisition training on agriculture/livestock production.

To kickstart their entrepreneurial journeys, the participants have been presented with a fifty one million naira (₦51,000,000.00) grant as a seed capital, with each getting ₦170,000.

Speaking during the ceremony, the representative of the ministry, Comrade Ayodele  Olawande said the gesture serves as a significant step toward creating jobs, and driving economic growth in our communities.

By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto

State Commissioner of Health Dr Faruku Umar Abubakar Wurno disclosed this when he paid an unscheduled visit to General hospital Kware and WC-WC hospital Gidadawa area, Sokoto.

Dr Faruku Umar Wurno said that the decision was in line with the Ahmed Aliyu’s administration desire to provide conducive environment in all Health facilities across the state as well as providing them with working tools for effective service delivery.

At Kware General hospital,the Commissioner expressed displeasure over the poor turnout of the staff there and directed the management of the hospital to present the names of sixteen Nurses that were found absent during the visit.

He stressed that gone were days when Health personnel would be absconding from their duty post despite the numerous gestures being extended to them by the state government.

While at WC-WC hospital Gidadawa, Dr Faruku challenged the Management of the health facility to give much emphasis on Antenatal care by extending the days for the ANC services from two to five days.

To this end,the Commissioner stressed the need for community participation in the Health sector so as to complement the effort of the state government in that regard.

He commended the Management of WC-WC hospital Gidadawa for maintaining good sanitary condition of the Hospital and charged them to keep it up.

The Commissioner was accompanied on the visit by the Executive Director State Hospital Services Management Board Dr Bello Abubakar Attahiru and Directors from the Ministry of Health and the Board.

By Laiatu Augustine Bamaiyi kebbi.

Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has officially commissioned the newly renovated General Hospital Argungu, reinforcing his administration’s commitment to enhancing healthcare services in the region. 

The extensive renovation, which cost ₦973.8 million, is part of a larger initiative to upgrade healthcare infrastructure across the state.

During the commissioning ceremony held on Monday, Gov. Idris emphasized that the revitalization project reflects his administration’s pledge to provide accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare for all citizens. 

“This intervention is part of our campaign promises to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people,” he stated.

The General Hospital Argungu is one of six healthcare facilities undergoing comprehensive upgrades, alongside Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital, the State Teaching Hospital in Kalgo, and General Hospitals in Yauri, Zuru, and Koko. 

The projects aim to modernize facilities, equip hospitals with advanced medical technology, and enhance human resources for improved service delivery.

Over the past 18 months, Gov. Idris highlighted significant investments in the health sector, including the upgrade of the Kebbi Medical Centre Kalgo, the review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Scale to address brain drain, the procurement of new ambulances, and the renovation of 13 primary healthcare centers.

 He also announced the installation of solar-powered systems in the State Teaching Hospital to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply.

Kebbi State is participating in the World Bank-funded IMPACT project to strengthen primary healthcare services, with a goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030. 

The Governor urged the Ministry of Health and hospital management to maintain the newly upgraded facility properly.

In a notable move, Gov. Idris dismissed the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the renovated hospital, Dr. Emmanuel Ehiem, citing poor service delivery as the reason for his removal. “I received a text from a patient who complained about the condition of the hospital. Upon visiting the hospital at night, I witnessed the situation firsthand,” he lamented. 

The Governor directed the Ministry of Health to appoint a competent replacement who can effectively manage the hospital.

The event also featured a donation from the Chairman of Argungu Local Government Area, Hon. Sani Aliyu Gulma, who provided 15 new motorcycles to the local government party executive committee and sewing machines for local women. 

The inauguration was attended by various government officials, traditional rulers, and community leaders, all united in their support for the improved healthcare initiative.

By Laiatu Augustine Bamaiyi 

Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, has approved a reduction in official working hours for state civil servants in the state.

This decision, announced in a statement by Hon. Awwal Manu Dogondaji, the Commissioner for Establishment, Pension, and Training, is aimed at accommodating the spiritual needs of the community during this sacred period.

Effective immediately, the new working hours for state civil servants will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, and from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Fridays.

 The commissioner emphasized that these hours will revert to normal following the conclusion of Ramadan.

In his statement, Dogondaji also called upon the residents of Kebbi State to remain steadfast in their prayers for enduring peace and stability, both within the state and across Nigeria as a whole.

By Eshioleh Abu

Senate President Godswill Akpabio finds himself starring in a comedy of his own making. The plot thickens, the stakes rise, and the audience, comprising the entire nation, watches with bated breath as the untouchable “Uncommon
Transformer” scrambles to salvage his reputation from the jaws of scandal. But alas, the strategy employed by his camp is as flimsy as a house of cards in a windstorm, and their moves are more desperate than a gambler betting his last naira on a losing horse.

Enter Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the new activist of the Senate, armed with a joker card she claims she possesses, that could very well be the political equivalent of a nuclear bomb. Her allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio have sent shockwaves through the corridors of power, leaving the Senate President scrambling for cover. But instead of facing the music like a man, Akpabio has chosen to hide behind a human shield, his wife, Unoma Akpabio, and a battalion of proxies. It is a move so cowardly that even the most seasoned political analysts are left scratching their heads.

Unoma Akpabio’s sudden emergence onto the battlefield is nothing short of a political Hail Mary. Picture this: a general, instead of leading his troops, sends his wife to the frontlines armed with nothing but a handbag and a megaphone, running to the court with all manner of emotional this and emotional that. Who in their right mind thought this was a stroke of genius? Whoever advised her to make such a laughable move must have been sipping on a cocktail of poor judgment and sheer audacity. If this isn’t a poorly scripted joke designed to scare Natasha away, then that lawyer needs to pack their bags, head back to law school, and beg for a refund. This isn’t strategy; it is a comedy of errors, and the only thing it is achieving is turning Akpabio’s camp into a laughingstock. If this is their idea of a legal masterstroke, then Natasha must be laughing all the way to the the courtroom.

It is a scene so absurd that it could easily be mistaken for satire. But this is no laughing matter. Unoma’s foray into the fray might be a desperate attempt to take attention away from the real issues. She has become the face of a damage control operation that reeks of panic and poor judgment. But let’s be clear: sending Unoma to the battlefront is like using a teacup to bail out a sinking ship. It is not just ineffective; it is downright embarrassing. The optics are terrible. Instead of projecting strength, Akpabio is projecting weakness. Instead of demonstrating accountability, he is demonstrating evasion. And instead of earning sympathy, he is earning ridicule, even as he tries to use his influence to curry public favour. The message is clear: when the going gets tough, Akpabio hides under his wife’s skirt.

While Unoma plays the role of the sacrificial lamb, Akpabio’s proxies are busy spinning a web of wishy-washy nonsense. These hired hands, armed with nothing but half-baked excuses and empty rhetoric, are tasked with the impossible: defending the indefensible. They scurry about like rats in a maze, issuing statements that are as convincing as a Nigerian prince’s email scam. But their efforts are futile. The more they talk, the more they expose the cracks in Akpabio’s crumbling facade.

Natasha has drawn a clear line in the sand, and it is directed squarely at Akpabio’s wife, Unoma: “Stay out of the fight between me and your husband.” With the confidence of someone holding a royal flush, Natasha has declared that she has enough evidence to nail Akpabio to the wall. This bombshell comes just hours after a visibly rattled Unoma announced she had filed legal proceedings, demanding damages for defamation.

But here is the kicker: Unoma didn’t see this counterpunch coming. Natasha’s response was swift, sharp, and loaded with the kind of scandalous ammunition that leaves opponents scrambling for cover. It is almost as if Natasha is saying, “The more you talk, the more I will unload. Keep digging, and I will bury you.” Unoma’s legal move, instead of intimidating Natasha, has only fueled the fire, turning what was already a political inferno into an all-out blaze. The message is clear: Natasha isn’t just playing the game; she is rewriting the rules. And Akpabio’s camp is learning the hard way that when you poke a lioness, you would better be ready for the roar.

And then there are the poor women of Uyo, paraded on TV like pawns in a poorly orchestrated PR stunt. These women, presumably mobilised to vouch for Akpabio’s character, are nothing more than props in a desperate attempt to sway public opinion. But let’s be real: no amount of staged rallies or scripted endorsements can erase the gravity of Natasha’s allegations. If anything, these theatrics only serve to highlight Akpabio’s desperation.

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is no ordinary politician. She is a force to be reckoned with, a woman who has proven time and again that she’s not afraid to go toe-to-toe with the political elite. You can ask former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello. You can as well ask the White Lion of Kogi why it took him an eternity to show his face before the EFCC? Or better yet, why he chose to pull a disappearing act at the most inconvenient time? While the world scratches its head, wondering what game he was playing, Natasha was quietly orchestrating moves from the shadows, playing the devil’s advocate with the precision of a chess grandmaster.

Her allegations against Akpabio are not just accusations; they are a ticking time bomb. And if she decides to drop her “nuclear bomb,” the fallout could be catastrophic for Akpabio’s career. The Senate President knows this, which is why he is pulling out all the stops to silence her. But here is the thing: you can’t bench a player who is already on the field. Natasha is not just in the game; she is calling the shots. And unless Akpabio comes clean and addresses the allegations head-on, he risks being permanently sidelined.

Now, High Chief Emmanuel O. Uduaghan has stepped into the storm surrounding his wife, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, likening the situation to a tempest threatening to overshadow the truth. He describes his wife as a trusted tree, deeply rooted in integrity and commitment, bearing the fruits of her people’s trust. He said despite his efforts to calm the winds by engaging Akpabio as a mediator would, the storm persists, with his wife enduring relentless gusts of harassment. Uduaghan reaffirms his support for her and urges the Senate and its President to treat her with the dignity she deserves, while allowing the courts to address the underlying issues.

The solution to Akpabio’s predicament is simple, yet it requires something he seems to be in short supply of: courage. He must recuse himself as Senate President to allow for an independent investigation into Natasha’s allegations. This is not just the right thing to do; it is the only thing to do. Continuing to hide behind his wife and proxies will only deepen the crisis and further erode public trust. Akpabio must understand that the days of sweeping scandals under the rug are over. In an era where social media can turn a whisper into a roar, transparency is no longer optional, it is imperative.

If we lived in a society where norms and decency still held sway, Akpabio would have shown some semblance of respect for the high office he occupies. Instead of cowering behind proxies, spin doctors, and his wife’s skirt, he should have stepped forward immediately to address the allegations head-on. After all, it is not just Akpabio the man who stands accused, it is the office of the Senate President that has been dragged into the mud. The allegations suggest a grotesque abuse of power, an attempt to use the weight of his position to coerce and manipulate. The Senate Presidency isn’t some cheap trinket to be toyed with; it is a sacred institution, a symbol of legislative authority and public trust. Yet, Akpabio seems to have forgotten this, treating it as though it were a personal fiefdom rather than a position of service.

The longer he hides, the louder the whispers grow: if the Senate President can’t uphold the dignity of his own office, how can he possibly uphold the dignity of the nation? I do not know how much longer can Akpabio hold on. The Senate President must recognise that his attempts to deflect and deny are only digging him deeper into a hole. The time for games is over. The time for accountability is now. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has thrown down the gauntlet, and Akpabio must decide whether to face it head-on or continue hiding under proxies. The choice is his!

By Emameh Gabriel

Yesterday, the world witnessed such a moment, where a visiting President, whose nation is under siege, was publicly chastised in the very heart of American power. It is a scene that would be almost comical in its absurdity were it not so deeply troubling. Imagine, if you will, a guest arriving at your doorstep, battered and weary, seeking refuge and support. Instead of offering a hand, you berate them for their appearance, accuse them of ingratitude, and demand they justify their very presence.

No matter how murky international politics may appear sometimes to us, there must always remain a baseline of decorum, especially when the spectre of a potential war looms and the lives of countless people hang in the balance. Decorum and respect must be the currency of engagement.

The treatment of the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, by President Donald Trump and his vice DJ Vance, during his visit to the White House was less a Shakespearean tragedy and more a pantomime of poor taste. It was a spectacle so brazen, so devoid of basic decency, that one might have mistaken it for a poorly scripted reality show rather than a meeting between world leaders. Alas, this is the new normal in the court of King Trump, where diplomacy is reduced to a motor-park brawl, and the aggrieved are left scrambling for dignity on a rug that has been unceremoniously yanked from beneath their feet.

To say that President Zelenskyy of Ukrainian was treated with indignity would be an understatement. It was as if he had wandered into a lion’s den, only to find the lions had swapped their regal manes for ill-fitting toupees and were more interested in preening for the cameras than engaging in anything resembling statesmanship.

The visit, which should have been a moment of solidarity and support for a nation embroiled in conflict, instead became a masterclass in how not to treat a visiting head of state. One might have expected a modicum of respect, a gesture of goodwill, or at the very least, a handshake that didn’t resemble a WWE smackdown. Instead, what unfolded was a diplomatic car crash, with Trump and his vice playing the roles of reckless drivers, careening through the norms of international etiquette with all the subtlety of a bull in a china shop.

The crux of the matter lies in Trump’s inability, or perhaps unwillingness, to act as an honest broker in the ongoing dispute between Ukraine and its aggressor. A mediator, by definition, must remain impartial, a neutral arbiter who can navigate the choppy waters of conflict with fairness and integrity. But Trump, in his infinite wisdom, has openly taken sides, aligning himself with the very forces that have sought to undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty. It is akin to a referee donning the jersey of one team mid-match and then having the audacity to blow the whistle as if nothing were amiss. The rug, as they say, has been pulled from beneath the feet of the most aggrieved, and the world watches in stunned silence as the so-called leader of the free world tramples over the principles of justice and fairness.

This, in essence, is what unfolded in the Oval Office. Vice President Vance’s question to President Zelenskyy, “Do you think that is respectful to come to the Oval Office of the United States of America and attack the administration that is trying to prevent the destruction of your country?”, is not only tone-deaf but emblematic of a broader disregard for the gravity of Ukraine’s plight

The irony, of course, is palpable. Here is a leader, Zelenskyy, whose country has been ravaged by war, whose people have endured unimaginable suffering, and whose very existence as a nation hangs in the balance. He arrives in Washington not as a supplicant, but as a partner, seeking solidarity and support in the face of aggression. Yet, instead of being met with empathy and resolve, he is subjected to a lecture on “respect” from an administration that has, at best, been inconsistent in its commitment to Ukraine’s cause.

The question itself is a masterclass in deflection. It shifts the burden of responsibility onto the victim, implying that Zelenskyy’s very presence is an affront, rather than acknowledging the moral imperative to stand with a nation under siege. It is a rhetorical sleight of hand, designed to obscure the administration’s own failures and to cast Ukraine as the offending party. This is not diplomacy; it is gaslighting on a global stage.

Moreover, the spectacle of President Trump standing by, watching this exchange unfold, is equally damning. A true leader would have intervened, would have reminded his vice president of the gravity of the moment and the importance of treating a visiting head of state with dignity. Instead, Trump joined Vance and asked the Ukrainian President not to speak and even went further to remind him that he was in no position to speak. This speaks volumes. It suggests either a tacit endorsement of Vance’s approach or a profound indifference to the norms of international diplomacy. Either way, it is a dereliction of duty.

This incident is not merely a breach of protocol; it is a betrayal of the values that the United States claims to uphold. It sends a message to the world that American leadership is no longer guided by principles of fairness, respect, or solidarity, but by pettiness and self-interest. It undermines the moral authority of the United States and emboldens those who seek to destabilise the international order.

The indignity heaped upon the Ukrainian president is not merely a reflection of Trump’s personal disdain for diplomatic norms; it is a symptom of a broader malaise that has infected the White House. This is a place where motor-park diplomacy reigns supreme under Trump’s watch, where the art of negotiation is reduced to a series of brash tweets and schoolyard taunts. It is a world where subtlety is sacrificed at the altar of spectacle, and where the delicate dance of international relations is replaced by a clumsy shuffle, more befitting of a rowdy pub than the hallowed halls of power.

Let us be clear: no visiting president of any nation should be subjected to such treatment. The Ukrainian president came to the White House seeking support, seeking solidarity, seeking a partner in the fight for his country’s survival. What he received was a lesson in humiliation, a reminder that in Trump’s world, there is no room for empathy, no space for decency, and no respect for the rules of engagement, it is nothing but business.

And yet, for all its crassness, there is a certain tragicomedy to the whole affair. Trump, in his quest to recreate the world in his own image, has become a parody of leadership, a caricature of power. His attempts to bulldoze his way through the complexities of international diplomacy are as effective as a chocolate teapot, and his disregard for basic decency is as jarring as a kazoo solo at a symphony. The world may have grown accustomed to his antics, but that does not make them any less appalling. Basic decency, after all, will never go out of fashion, no matter how hard Trump tries to convince us otherwise.

In the end, the treatment of the Ukrainian president is clear picture of the dangers of unchecked power and the erosion of diplomatic norms. This is what happens when leadership is reduced to a spectacle, and when the principles of fairness and respect are cast aside in favour of ego and self-interest. The world deserves better. Ukraine deserves better. And as for Trump, perhaps it is time for him to step out of the motor-park and into the real world, where diplomacy is not a game, and where the stakes are far too high for such childish antics.

In the words of the Bard, “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” But in this case, it is not a lady who protests, but the entire world, watching in disbelief as the so-called leader of the free world continues to trample over the very values he claims to uphold. The rug may have been pulled, but the world is watching, and history will not be kind to those who have turned diplomacy into a farce.