News
Why Natasha’s sexual harassment petition against Akpabio won’t stand — Senators

By Francesca Hangeior
The sexual harassment petition submitted by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio has taken a new plot twist after senators disagreed on the grounds through which it was submitted.
Akpoti-Uduaghan formally submitted the petition on Wednesday following the claim of the senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, that the only petition before the senate is the senator’s disobedience to orders of the red chamber.
This action led to wide public debate in the country, with many of the supporters of the senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District trooping out en masse to seek justice for the senator and the resignation of Akpabio in the matter.
However, some senators have supported Akpabio while dismissing the petition because it doesn’t follow the order of the Senate, despite the Senate President’s ruling on the hearing of the petition.
Speaking, the senate chief whip, Mohammed Monguno (Borno, APC), while quoting Order 40, rule 7 of the Senate Standing Order, said the issue contained in Senator Natasha’s petition is already in the court of law, and the rules of the senate do not permit deliberation on such matters.
“The matter is in the court of law. Senator Natasha herself has gone to court in respect of this matter, and also the wife of the Senate President has equally gone to court for this matter.
“The Senate, therefore, does not have the jurisdiction to entertain this matter. That the matter should be referred to the ethics and petition committee is not necessary,” he said.
Another senator, Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North Senatorial District, APC) subjected the matter to the Ethics committee to decide the appropriate order and the interpretation of the rules raised by Senator Mungono for clarification.
In his remarks, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central District, APC) stressed the senate standing rule’s order 40, sub 4 which notes that no senator bringing in a petition shall be the author of same, adding, “The essence of the rule is to lay petition of behalf of constituents not to be the author.
“Mr President, I sympathise with you, as a man being accused of sexual harassment, but I am not going to comment on that because there will be ample opportunities for the relevant authorities to deal with that but I know that Senator Natasha went to court on the matter then appeared on national TV on the sexual harassment matter and the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Uloma Akpabio went to court and parties have been served.”
Countering her colleagues’ claims, Akpoti-Uduaghan said her harassment petition was not before the court, and that the only matter in the court is that of cyberbullying made by Akpabio’s special assistant on New media, Patrick Udom, who described her “decent outfit” as transparent by depicting that she dresses naked to the chambers.
She further appealed to Akpabio to accept and forward her petition to the Ethics and Privileges Committee for deliberation.
Akpabio had earlier denied allegations of sexual harassment made against him. (https://punchng.com/natasha-akpabio-denies-sexual-harassment-allegations/)
He said, “At no time did I ever harass any woman. I was raised very well by my late single mother, and I have always upheld respect for women. I was even awarded the most gender-friendly governor in Nigeria.”
Akpabio said he had been receiving calls about the matter since February 25 and was aware of the discussions on social media.
He, therefore, urged Nigerians and the media to avoid making conclusions, asking them to wait for the court’s decision.
News
Wike in Italy, to meet with Lombardy Region’s President, agribusiness investors

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike yesterday arrived Milan, Italy, ahead of official engagements with the President of Lombardy Region, Attilio Fontana.
Wike is also expected to meet with agribusiness investors in the country.
The minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, announced this in a statement in Milan.
The statement said Wike departed Abuja on Tuesday night and arrived in Milan around 4:30 a.m. yesterday. He was received by the Charge d’Affairs of the Embassy of Nigeria in Italy, Ambassador Mustapha Mohammed.
“While in Milan, the FCT minister will hold a meeting with the President of Lombardy Region on Thursday, and also meet agribusiness investors.
“Lombardy is adjudged as the first region of Italy in terms of economic importance, with a population of about 10 million people. It is the second most populous region of the European Union (EU) and the second region of the European Union by nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“The FCT minister’s meeting with the Attilio Fontana will centre on seeking collaboration and evaluating possible prospects in the areas of Agriculture and Vocational Education, as well as strategic development partners with the Lombardy Region.
“Subsequently, Wike will meet investors in agribusiness and experts in vocational training, with a view to unlock new opportunities.
“The FCT Mandate Secretaries for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, and Mandate Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development, Lawan Geidam, as well as the Senior Special Assistant on Administration, Dr. Udo Samuel Atang, and Senior Special Assistant on Legal and Multi-Lateral Cooperation, Benedict Daudu, accompanied the Minister on the trip,” the statement said.
News
Ramadan: HoR Minority Caucus counsels Muslim faithful to uphold tenets of Islam, pray for peace, unity

The House of Representatives Minority Caucus advises Muslim faithful across Nigeria to abide by the tenets of Islam, pray for peace, unity and national security this Ramadan.
This was contained in a statement jointly signed by the caucus leaders, Rep Kingsley Chinda, Ali Isa JJC Minority Whip, Isa Madaki Deputy Leader and George Ozodinobi Deputy Minority Whip.
The caucus said “we congratulate the entire Muslim Ummah on the commencement of this year’s Holy Month of Ramadan; which is one of the major tenets of Islam.
“Conscious that Ramadan is a sacred time for spiritual growth; renewal of utmost believe in our Creator; time for seeking forgiveness, and direction.
” We urge all Muslim faithful to use this period to among other requests; pray for peaceful co-existence, love, unity, and development in Nigeria.
” Also, we urge the Muslim Ummah to pray for the security, and protection of lives and properties across the country, where, sadly, blood birth is gradually resuming in our communities.
“As we warmly felicitate with all Muslim faithful for being alive in good health to observe the Ramadan fasting, we counsel that, in this sacred month, all followers of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), Peace Be Upon Him, should embrace deep reflections, renewed faith, and demonstrate gestures of kindness to all and sundry.
“As admonished in Islam teachings, we urge our brothers and sisters to consciously extend acts of compassion, generosity, and good neighborliness towards all, especially the needy, and less privileged in the society.
“Given our firm commitment to the preservation of the lives of all Nigerians, and the need to deepen good governance, the Caucus calls on Federal Government to tackle the resumed cases of killings in the society.
“It is imperative to also call on all security agencies to ensure that such cases of killings, maiming, and bloodletting are comprehensively curtailed during the Holy Month of Ramadan, and post-fasting period.
“Finally , as Muslim faithful rededicate themselves, and reflect on the purpose and lessons of Ramadan, we are confident that Almighty Allah will accept the fasting, prayers, and supplications as an act of Ibadah, Amin.
Ramadan Kareem!!!
News
Akpabio Gate: Social media abuzz as Natasha hails ex-Gov Fayemi for upholding her integrity

…as netizens hammer Senator Fasuyi
…it was prayers galore for the senator that she will triumph
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has applauded former Governor of Ekiti Kayode Fayemi for upholding her integrity as he denied there was no time the Kogi Senator accused him of sexual harassment.
Taking to her FB account, Senator Natasha thanked him for standing out for truth.
But netizens did not spare Senator Cyril Fasuyi who concocted the lie as they lay heavy causes on him.
Hear Senator Natasha:
“Thank you H.E. @kfayemi for speaking truth out. My activity during his time as a minister was strictly an advocacy to revive Ajaokuta steel company.
“Shame unto Senator Cyril Fasuyi for lying against me right in the hallowed chambers while quoting the bible.
Indeed, God is patient.
Senator @natashaakpoti Uduaghan Kogi central.
See reactions below :
God is delivering you from the hands of wicked and unreasonable men both in the chamber and outside the chamber……The truth will always prevail
Thank God the good people of Kogi State recognize n love you as ours…. indeed God is patient if not, many for kpai instantly for lying against God’s choosing one.
Dear Natasha H Akpoti I don’t really know you and I don’t fully support you either, but you see that Cyril Fasuyi, I want to advise you not to take the word of that Cyril Fasuyi.
He’s a useless and incompetent senator who was brought to us by APC government. He has no meaning impact in his constituency till date.
Worry not, this is his only term as a senator, as he will never win any election in Ekiti North again.
Your Excellency Ma, you are one of the few Senators doing well at the National Assembly at the moment Ma. May it occur to you that, Kogi and indeed Nigeria is Proud of your outstanding performance and Capacity and are looking forward to seeing you do more for the Constituents.
May this very issue as bad and sad as it may be, not come to serve and fulfill it purpose of distracting your good intentions for your people to drive away the zeal.
May God almighty in his infinite Mercies and wisdom grant all of you the Divine Providence and Grace to come to terms with each other and return to round table discussion for the greater Nigeria of our Dreams Amen.
Long live our beloved Mother Dist Sen Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan,
Long Live Nigerian Senate,
Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Hon Stephen Suega TseAgu is the Chairman A P C Media Team Vandeikya Local Government area of Benue State.
Your grace is high. God is with you. We appreciate a good prince that God gave you as a crown over your head. May God reward him abundantly. Let no man underestimates you. You would always triumph in the mix of lies and gang ups. May God guide, protect and show you more ways to teach these men hard lessons. They think they can bewildered you and scuttled your good work, intelligent and productive representation of kogi central senatorial people and Nigerians. We are with you in prayers, by God’s grace. All their evil plans, weapons shall fail them.
Our amiable senator Natasha H akpoti. Senator Cyril Fasuyi didn’t say you sexually harass former Gov Fayemi he said you accused him of selling Ajaokuta steel company that till today Ajaokuta is still federal govt property. Pls stop Feeding us with lies you. We are still supporting you don’t need to tell us lies we all heard the senator’s speech.
Idiot of people want you to use what you have to get want you want like i always said, whoever fight with Grace will be disgrace, Allah Rahma Always Ozi anebra Oboro
He quoted the Bible just so he can fabricate a lie. His intel had a network failure. so much for a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dear Distinguished Senator Natasha H Akpoti you have overcome so much already and I know you have the strength to get through this. Every challenge is an opportunity to grow stronger. Don’t give up, you are making a difference.
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