Last night,  the Nigerian Senate finally lifts suspension on Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

APRIL FOOL!

The fallout from a tense Senate committee hearing last week has escalated into a cultural dispute with Senate Deputy Chief Whip Onyekachi Nwaebonyi vowing to report former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili to Igbo traditional leaders over what he described as a “public insult.”

The conflict stems from a Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions hearing on March 25, where Ezekwesili, appearing as a witness, told Nwaebonyi to “compose himself and stop making noise” before pointedly saying: “will you shut up?”

The committee hearing was convened to review a petition from Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, who accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment.

Ezekwesili had joined Abiola Akiode, counsel to Akpoti-Uduaghan, and petitioner Zubairu Yakubu as a witness.   Nwaebonyi appeared on behalf of Akpabio. Tension, however, ran high when Ezekwesili rebuked  Nwaebonyi for interrupting her.

The remark elicited an immediate reaction from the senator, who considered it a grave affront.

While the former minister admitted on live television that she used the words ’’ shut up,’’   Nwaebonyi in another programme apologised to her on grounds of an age difference and the fact that she admitted.

But during a television programme yesterday, the Senator who represents Ebonyi North again voiced his outrage.  He stressed that he would never speak to anyone in such a manner as Ezekwesili, especially in a public setting.

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Three officials of Lagos State House of Assembly (LSHA) have tendered formal apologies to the Department of State Services (DSS) after being arrested for assaulting DSS operatives during the recent leadership crisis at the legislative house.

The assembly had requested DSS presence through a letter dated February 14, 2025, signed by Acting Clerk A.T.B. Ottun. The letter, with reference number LSHA/FAD/0/7554/323, asked the DSS to secure the facility from February 15 until further notice.

However, upon arrival, DSS personnel were reportedly attacked by three assembly workers. Relying on CCTV footage, the security agency arrested the suspects and subsequently filed charges against them.

In separate letters of apology dated March 28, 2025, the arrested officials—Ibrahim Olarenwaju (Public Affairs Officer), Miss Adetola Oluwatosin and Adetu Adekunle (both officers with the Sergeant-at-Arms unit)—expressed regret for their actions.

The apologies, addressed to DSS Director General, Mr. Adeola Ajayi, were routed through the State Director of Security, Lagos State Command.

One of the letters read: “I, Ibrahim Abdul-Akeem Olarenwaju, hereby tender my unreserved apology for any act or omission that I might have caused your distinguished office and personnel in the course of my duty at the hallowed chamber of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa, on the 27th day of February, 2025.”

The other assembly workers echoed similar sentiments, pledging to conduct themselves appropriately in future and avoid any action that could undermine DSS personnel.

During the leadership crisis at the assembly, several media outlets had initially published reports claiming that DSS operatives invaded the legislative complex. However, upon reviewing the facts, many media organisations retracted their reports and issued apologies to the DSS.

This development highlights the importance of accurate reporting and the need for professionalism in handling security-related matters at public institutions.