Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, has declared that she will officially return to the Senate chamber on Tuesday.

This follows a recent Federal High Court ruling that nullified her earlier suspension by the Senate.

In a video message that surfaced on social media, the Kogi Central representative expressed appreciation to her supporters for their loyalty throughout the ordeal.

“I thank you for your support. I am glad we are victorious today. We shall resume in the Senate on Tuesday by the grace of God,” she stated.

The decision by the Abuja Federal High Court came last Friday.

The court ruled that the senator’s six-month suspension was excessive and in breach of constitutional provisions, effectively disenfranchising the people of her senatorial district.

The judge ordered her immediate reinstatement.

However, while the court granted her relief, it also imposed a fine of N5 million on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for contempt of court. Justice Binta Nyako cited a Facebook post she made during the litigation, a satirical statement aimed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio as a violation of a standing court order.

According to Justice Nyako, the post ran afoul of the interim injunction issued on March 4, 2025, which prohibited all involved parties from making public statements or engaging in social media commentary regarding the ongoing case.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension had been enforced in March 2025, following a tense Senate plenary in which she accused Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment.

The incident sparked national debate and ultimately led to a legal showdown that has now concluded in her favor.

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Edo State has indefinitely suspended four party members for actions considered harmful to the party’s unity, integrity, and proper functioning.

The suspended members include Organising Secretary Tony Alile, Publicity Secretary Chris Ojiekere, Youth Leader Benjamin Omonzokpia, and Woman Leader Yami Jatto.

This decision was announced in a communique released on Sunday following a party meeting held in Benin, Edo State, on Saturday.

The communique, signed by the state party chairman, Elder Felix Obayagbon, the secretary, Hyacinth Esangbedo, and ten others, cited violations of Article 19, Sections 19.1, 19.2, and 19.3 of the SDP constitution.

The statement reads, “The Edo State Chapter of the Social Democratic Party has suspended four members indefinitely for conduct deemed detrimental to the unity, integrity, and orderly functioning of the party.

“The party has taken decisive disciplinary action against four members whose actions constitute gross violations of Article 19, Sections 19.1, 19.2, and 19.3 of the Party’s Constitution.

“Their conduct has been deemed detrimental to the unity, integrity, and orderly functioning of the party.

“Effective immediately, Organising Secretary, Tony Alile, Publicity Secretary, Chris Ojiekere, Youth Leader, Benjamin Omonzokpia, and Woman leader, Yami Jatto have been suspended indefinitely from the party.

“Their infractions include, but are not limited to, convening unauthorised meetings in defiance of established party protocols, making disparaging and inflammatory remarks against the party and its leadership.”

Other reported violations involve illegally attempting to suspend the recognised state chairman and secretary, trying to relocate the state secretariat without approval, thereby undermining the party’s operational framework.

“Others are using the state chairman’s name to issue a condolence message without his knowledge or consent and travelling to Abuja without obtaining the necessary approval from the state chairman,” the communique added.

The party also expressed concern that Alile and Ojiekere, who only joined the SDP in April 2025, have quickly adopted a course of insubordination and anti-party conduct, damaging the party’s image and undermining its constitutionally established leadership.

The communique further stated that these individuals are conspiring with a group of transactional politicians and opportunists who typically emerge during election cycles to strike self-serving deals at the party’s expense.

This alliance has been revived ahead of the August 2025 bye-election, with the intent to hijack the party structure for personal political gain.

The statement concluded, “Such actions represent egregious violations of the SDP constitution and are entirely incompatible with the party’s foundational principles.

“The SDP, Edo State Chapter, remains unwavering in its commitment to internal democracy, discipline, and unity.

“The party will not tolerate actions that jeopardise its integrity, legality, or collective vision.”

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to instruct the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, to investigate individuals allegedly responsible for obstructing the publication of the forensic audit report on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The audit report, which covers the period from 2000 to 2019, was commissioned under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and submitted in September 2021.

Despite public interest and repeated demands, the report has yet to be made public.

In a letter dated July 5, 2025, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the group urged Tinubu to also direct relevant anti-corruption agencies to identify and prosecute those who allegedly prevented the report’s release.

“While the audit report may make uncomfortable reading for the indicted officials and politicians, your government has a constitutional responsibility to publish it and act upon its recommendations,” SERAP stated.

The organisation described the ongoing delay as a deliberate obstruction of justice and a denial of accountability for the people of the Niger Delta, many of whom have suffered from corruption and numerous abandoned projects.

“The forensic audit report of the NDDC can no longer be left to gather dust.

“The continued failure to publish the audit report undermines public trust and confidence, particularly of victims of corruption in the Niger Delta who have waited far too long for justice and accountability.”

SERAP warned that if the Tinubu administration does not act within seven days of receiving the letter, it will pursue legal action at the ECOWAS Court of Justice to compel the government to comply.

According to the group, the report alleges the embezzlement of over N6 trillion and documents more than 13,000 abandoned projects across the Niger Delta.

It further claims that some high-ranking government officials and politicians obstructed the report’s release to shield themselves from prosecution.

The organisation also blamed the Buhari administration for failing to act on the report after receiving it.

The letter partly reads, “The fact that the forensic audit undertaken at public expense has been gathering dust on an official’s desk for several years shows the failure of the Buhari administration to deliver justice for the people of the Niger Delta.

“The failure to publish the report and fully implement its recommendations would seem to suggest that the forensic audit was not commissioned to provide transparency and accountability, but merely as a ruse to defer and avoid it.

“Victims of grand corruption in the Niger Delta would lose faith in public investigations of corruption if the audit report is not immediately published and its recommendations acted upon.

“Victims would like to see the recommendations and what progress has been made to make the NDDC fit for purpose.”

SERAP further alleged that contracts within the commission were largely awarded to members of the National Assembly, while a former minister’s wife reportedly collected N48 billion within 12 months for a women’s training scheme.

“Obstructing the release of the forensic audit report or hiding it is a grave and wilful attempt to obstruct, prevent and pervert the course of justice.

“Delaying the implementation of its recommendations has enabled suspected perpetrators to evade justice and denied access to justice for victims.”

The group added that despite Nigeria’s vast oil wealth, many Niger Delta residents have seen little benefit due to widespread corruption and mismanagement within the NDDC.

“The missing N6 trillion and over 13,000 abandoned projects in the Niger Delta have continued to have a negative impact on the human rights of Nigerians, undermining their access to basic public goods and services, such as education, healthcare, and regular and uninterrupted electricity supply,” the letter stated.

SERAP also noted that about N1.4 billion was reportedly paid to auditors for the exercise and raised concerns about the sincerity of the government’s anti-corruption agenda given the report remains hidden.

Citing sections of the Nigerian Constitution and the UN Convention against Corruption, the organisation argued the government is obligated to investigate and punish any interference with justice and prosecute those implicated in the report.

“Bringing those suspected to be responsible for the grand corruption documented in the NDDC forensic report and recovering any proceeds of corruption would advance the right of Nigerians to restitution, compensation, and guarantee of non-repetition,” SERAP concluded.

Seun Adelore, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State, has officially resigned his membership from the ruling party in the state.

Adelore, known as a close ally of Governor Seyi Makinde, submitted his resignation letter citing “deep-seated injustice within the party, a lack of reward for loyalty, and a growing departure from democratic principles.”

The letter, obtained by our correspondent in Ibadan on Sunday, also accused the party of being run like a private enterprise by select factions.

Sources within the PDP revealed that Adelore’s resignation is linked to the alleged imposition of Folajimi Oyekunle, the Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Makinde, as the consensus candidate for the Ibadan North Federal Constituency bye-election.

This followed the withdrawal of other aspirants, who pledged support for Oyekunle after a high-level meeting involving Makinde and the contenders for the party ticket.

Adelore stated that his decision came after extensive consultations with his political supporters across the state and was motivated by a desire to uphold personal integrity and democratic ideals.

He lamented, “The PDP in this state is increasingly being run like a private enterprise by select factions, undermining the collective spirit and transparency that should define party politics.”

He further criticized “vindictiveness, high-handedness, and a disregard for human dignity” within the current party administration.

The former Waste Management Board Chairman expressed his disappointment at the erosion of core values and the rise of intolerance and imposition.

In his resignation letter, Adelore wrote, “I write to formally tender my resignation as the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ibadan North Local Government, effective July 7, 2025. I also hereby withdraw my membership from the party.

“This decision was not made lightly. After deep personal reflection and wide consultation with my supporters, I have chosen to step aside in order to preserve my integrity and honour.”

“Despite my significant contributions to the party since 2018 alongside other loyal members, which contributed to the success of the current administration, I have watched with deep concern as values have deteriorated within the party.”

“Vindictiveness, authoritarian tendencies, and a lack of respect for human dignity have unfortunately become pervasive.”

“As Niccolò Machiavelli observed, despots often mask cruelty with gestures of charity, while trampling those who helped bring them to power. This pattern has become evident in the state, where loyalty is often punished rather than appreciated.

“Over the past two years, I have witnessed a growing trend of imposition, intimidation, and disregard for democratic processes—practices that conflict with the foundational principles of the PDP. I can no longer lend my name and reputation to such contradictions.

“I am deeply grateful to my supporters, whose unwavering belief in my leadership has been humbling. It has been an honour to serve the party and contribute meaningfully to the progress of the state.”

“I remain firmly committed to the ideals of true democracy and the genuine development of our state, not superficial accomplishments promoted by surrogates.”

As of press time, the state party Secretariat had not issued an official response, and attempts to reach the state PDP Chairman, Dayo Ogungbenro, were unsuccessful.

Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has ruled out the possibility of Peter Obi ever becoming Nigeria’s president, asserting that the former Anambra State governor has missed his chance.

Speaking on Sunday, July 6, 2025, during a thanksgiving service celebrating the completion of several new projects in Abuja, Wike launched a scathing attack on the ADC-backed opposition coalition, singling out Obi as its central but fading figure.

“Peter Obi can never be president again; his time has passed,” Wike said pointedly during the event.

He went further to accuse the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate of hypocrisy, claiming that Obi only began to question Nigeria’s democratic system after he lost political relevance.

“Now he says democracy is no longer working. But when he was governor of Anambra, democracy was working,” Wike added, criticizing what he described as Obi’s shifting political rhetoric.

Wike’s comments come amid rising political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections, with various opposition forces coalescing into new alliances and the Labour Party threatening punitive actions against defectors.

A prominent voice within the APC-led federal government, despite his roots in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Wike has never shied away from controversy.

Administrator Iheanachor

The Rivers State Police Command has declared two senior officials of the Ahoada East Local Government Area wanted in connection with a violent assault on the council administrator, Hon. Goodluck Iheanachor.

The officials named are Hector Ekakita, the Chief Security Officer of the council, and Mr. Aloni Olodi, the Chief of Staff.

Iheanachor is one of 23 local government administrators appointed by State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) to oversee the affairs of the state’s LGAs.

The development was announced in a statement released on Sunday by Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson for the State Police Command.

According to the police, the two officials are accused of leading an attack involving about 30 youths on June 20, 2025, during which the LG Administrator was beaten, forced to sign a resignation letter under duress, and had vital documents and personal items taken from his office.

The statement further noted that the suspects face charges including criminal conspiracy, stealing, assault occasioning harm, and attempted murder.

“The Rivers State Police Command has declared the following individuals wanted for criminal conspiracy, stealing, assault occasioning harm, and attempted murder in connection with the violent attack on the Sole Administrator of Ahoada-East Local Government Area, Hon. Good luck, Iheanachor, which occurred on 20th June 2025 at the Council Secretariat, Ahoada East,” the statement read.

Iringe-Koko explained that despite being formally invited to appear for questioning at the State Police Headquarters in Port Harcourt, both suspects failed to show up, prompting the Commissioner of Police, Olugbemga Adepoju, to declare them wanted.

She said: “Despite a prior public notice and formal invitation to report to the Police State Headquarters for questioning, the following suspects have blatantly ignored the directive: Mr. Hector Ekakita – Chief Security Officer, Ahoada-East LGA, and Mr. Aloni Olodi – Chief of Staff, Ahoada-East LGA.

“These individuals, alongside a gang of about thirty persons, are alleged to have conspired to assault the Sole Administrator, inflicted bodily harm on him, forcefully obtained his signature under duress, stole his mobile phones and vital documents, and carted away both personal and official properties from his office.
The Sole Administrator continues to receive medical attention due to the injuries sustained during the attack.”

She further stated that anyone aiding or shielding the suspects would face prosecution.

“They are hereby advised, in their own interest, to report to the Police State Headquarters, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, immediately.
The Police Commissioner warns that anyone found aiding, hiding, or assisting the wanted individuals to evade arrest will face the full weight of the law.”

“The Rivers State Police Command remains resolute in its commitment to justice and ensuring public peace and safety,” Iringe-Koko said.

The police urged members of the public with credible information on the whereabouts of the suspects to contact the State Headquarters or call dedicated hotlines to aid swift apprehension.