Betty Akeredolu, wife of the late former Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, has strongly criticized Senate President Godswill Akpabio for involving his wife in his ongoing dispute with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

She described the move as “highly disingenuous” and an attempt to evade responsibility.

In a post on her official X handle, Akeredolu condemned Akpabio’s handling of the controversy surrounding the reassignment of Senator Natasha’s seat without her consent.

She argued that in more advanced democracies, such a situation would have led to the resignation of the Senate President to clear his name rather than dragging his wife into the matter.

“In more civilized societies, Akpabio would have stepped down by now to defend himself. Instead, he has chosen to involve his wife in the battle, throwing her under the bus in the process. That’s an unfair strategy,” she stated.

Akeredolu emphasized that the reassignment of Natasha’s seat without her knowledge was a violation of her rights and a sign of disrespect.

She praised the senator for standing her ground, noting that while male lawmakers may have remained silent on similar issues in the past, Natasha’s boldness in speaking out deserves commendation.

“Some women are busy making baseless arguments, blaming Natasha for being emotional. That is completely beside the point! She has shown courage by voicing her frustration after enduring so much, and that’s exactly the kind of leadership we need more of in the National Assembly,” she added.

Akeredolu also drew attention to the poor representation of women in Nigeria’s Senate, highlighting that out of 109 senators, only four are female.

She called for greater support for women in politics, likening Natasha’s stand to that of Rosa Parks, who became a symbol of resistance against injustice.

“Nigerian women have been sidelined and silenced for too long. It’s a shame that out of 109 senators, only four are women. Natasha’s outburst has forced the country to take a closer look at what really happens in the National Assembly. We need more of her kind in the next election cycle,” she said.

Quoting Kenyan legislator Millie Odhiambo, she concluded: “Good girls don’t get corner offices.”

Senator Yemi Adaramodu, the spokesperson for the Senate, has clarified that the sexual harassment allegation leveled by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio is not currently before the Senate for consideration.

Speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Monday, Adaramodu stated that the only issue presently before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions concerns Akpoti-Uduaghan’s alleged failure to comply with the Senate’s standing orders.

“The only matter before the Senate is between Senator Natasha and the rest of the senators, regarding her non-compliance with the Senate’s standing orders. No other issue has been formally brought forward,” he said.

He further explained that if any new allegations arise, including those against any senator, they would be reviewed by the Ethics Committee once officially referred.

“If any issue is raised tomorrow concerning a senator, the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions will review it as an internal affair. In the hallowed chamber, whatever we do or say is not actionable in court, so the committee will handle matters as they come,” Adaramodu stated.

He also emphasized that the Senate President does not interfere in committee proceedings, as the committee operates independently.

“The Senate does not dictate the committee’s operations, and the Senate President does not control its members. It is an independent committee,” he added.

Heavy security presence has been reported at the Lagos State House of Assembly as security personnel have restricted access to the premises, preventing journalists from covering Monday’s plenary session.

The session, scheduled for 1 PM, has been shrouded in uncertainty as officers from the police, civil defense, and Lagos State Neighbourhood Security Corps have taken positions around the complex, heightening tensions.

This development follows the controversial return of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa to the Assembly last Thursday.

Obasa, who was impeached on January 13, 2025, by over 30 of the 40 lawmakers, has continued to insist that he remains the rightful Speaker.

His removal led to the election of Mojisola Meranda as his replacement, but the crisis has since deepened, fueling speculation about possible power struggles within the House.

The presence of security operatives suggests an attempt to prevent any disruption as the political battle within the Assembly unfolds.

As of the time of filing this report, the situation remains tense, with lawmakers and staff facing restricted movement within the premises.

Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing internal betrayal, anti-party activities, and a lack of discipline within the party.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos, the former PDP governorship candidate said his decision followed months of reflection and consultations with his family, political allies, and supporters.

He expressed deep disappointment in the party’s leadership at both the state and national levels, accusing them of working against the interests of dedicated members.

Jandor recalled that his 2023 governorship campaign was met with resistance, not just from rival parties but also from within the PDP itself.

He claimed that some party leaders viewed his candidacy as a threat to their personal influence, leading to internal sabotage.

Despite facing multiple attacks during his campaign, he noted that the party leadership failed to condemn the incidents or stand by him.

He specifically criticized Chief Olabode George, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees, for openly supporting a rival candidate, and accused Lagos PDP Chairman, Philip Aivoji, of misleading voters with false claims of an alliance that never existed.

Jandor further pointed to Lagos Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat’s revelation that several PDP leaders secretly worked against their own candidate, yet no disciplinary action was taken against them.

His frustration deepened when Chief Olabode George was later appointed Vice Chairman of the PDP’s Disciplinary Committee, a move Jandor described as an insult to loyal party members.

He stated that he could no longer remain in a party that rewards disloyalty and undermines internal democracy.

While he did not disclose his next political move, Jandor assured his supporters that his political career was far from over.

He pledged to continue working for the progress of Lagos, promising to consult widely before making any decisions about his future.

“This is the beginning of a new chapter,” he declared. “One that will be defined by sincerity, progress, and true service to the people.”

The Rivers State House of Assembly has directed Governor Siminalayi Fubara to re-submit the 2025 budget within 48 hours.

The directive was issued during the House’s plenary session on Monday in Port Harcourt.

This development follows a recent Supreme Court ruling that reinstated an earlier judgment barring the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant General of the Federation from disbursing statutory monthly allocations to the state.

Meanwhile, heavy security presence was observed at the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters in Port Harcourt on Monday, as lawmakers gathered for their sitting.

Multiple squads of police officers and operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) were deployed to the area.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, had earlier issued a notice for the sitting on Monday morning.

While the full agenda of the plenary remains unclear, sources indicate that discussions on local government administration in Rivers State may dominate proceedings.

This comes just days after the Supreme Court ruled that Amaewhule and his colleagues should resume legislative activities, following a prolonged political standoff in the state.

Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has called on Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State to neutralize the political influence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, before the 2027 elections.

Adeyanju made this statement on his X handle while reacting to the Supreme Court’s recent judgment that outlawed caretaker committees in local governments and halted federal allocations to Rivers State.

Blaming Wike for the ongoing political crisis in the state, Adeyanju urged Fubara to take decisive steps to make the former governor politically irrelevant.

“Since Wike has chosen to act against the collective interest of Rivers people, he must be dealt with accordingly,” Adeyanju said.

“His influence must be curtailed, and his opposition to progress should be met with the full weight of Governor Fubara’s authority.”

He expressed confidence that by 2027, Fubara would emerge stronger and fully capable of defeating any political resistance from Wike.

The Supreme Court’s ruling also directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant General of the Federation to withhold allocations to Rivers State until Fubara ensures governance aligns with constitutional provisions.

The court further ruled that legislative activities in the state must continue under Martin Amaewhule’s Speakership.