Kingibe Denies Endorsing Akpoti-Uduaghan Suspension

Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the Senate, has firmly denied endorsing the committee report that recommended the suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The FCT senator insists she neither saw nor reviewed the document before it was submitted, raising questions about Senate procedures and the transparency of the disciplinary process. Kingibe made the disclosure on Wednesday during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time, where she addressed growing concerns surrounding the controversial suspension. According to the lawmaker, she was not present when the report was handled and had no opportunity to review its contents before the decision was taken, adding that she believes the entire process could have been handled differently.

Speaking during the interview, Kingibe explained that she attended the committee meeting briefly before leaving for a tax reform retreat, which she considered more important because of its direct impact on her constituents. “I did tell everybody that I was not there. I wasn’t there. I was in the retreat with him. He came to meet me there, and when I heard about the report, I said, ‘But we were here,'” she stated. According to the FCT senator, she and three or four other senators on the Committee of Petitions, Public Complaints and Petitions signed the attendance register, but she left to attend the tax reform retreat. “We attended the Committee on Petitions and Public Complaints, signed the attendance register, and I later left for the tax reform retreat, which I considered more important at the time. It affects my constituents much more than disciplining a senator, and I figured that the other people who were not part of that committee would take care of it,” she explained.

While acknowledging that a photocopy of her signature appeared on the document recommending Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, Kingibe maintained that she did not sign the report itself. “I even complained to other senators, specifically Senator Barau; I complained to him very bitterly that I have not seen that report. I didn’t see it then; I have not seen it till now,” she said. She also mentioned that she complained to Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe over the matter. “I couldn’t have endorsed the committee report; I didn’t see it,” she insisted. The FCT senator clarified that she has never accused anyone of forging her signature, stating emphatically: “But I did not say anybody forged my signature.”

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The senator questioned the Senate’s procedural practices, arguing that lawmakers should be allowed to review committee reports thoroughly before signing them. “The truth of the matter is there are many, many things that I feel should not be the way they are. Number one, I feel that we should be given reports to read when they are ready, and then we sign them. Not that the reports are written and then they’re just… sometimes we’re just given to sign,” she explained. “It is unlikely that I signed without being aware that was what I was signing. We’re supposed to read the report to then sign it. A photocopy of my signature is on it,” she insisted, questioning how her signature could have appeared on a document she had never seen.

While discussing the broader controversy surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, Kingibe noted that disciplinary issues within the Senate are often resolved through apologies, suggesting the dispute could have been settled much earlier. “It can definitely be improved on. And truly, before now, every senator that has had a problem has been suspended for three months. But by the same token, every time any senator is out of order, being out of order ends as soon as you say, ‘Distinguished colleagues, I apologize for being out of order,'” she said. Kingibe cited instances where she herself had apologized after throwing a “tantrum” and noted that Senator Ndume does the same regularly without facing suspension because they promptly apologize when they realize they have contravened Senate rules. “It took as long as it did because it was absolutely unnecessary. Senator Natasha could have apologised,” she added, suggesting that a simple apology could have averted the entire controversy.

The controversy deepened earlier when Senator Adams Oshiomhole alleged that the names of at least three senators were improperly included on the Senate Committee report that recommended Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension. Speaking during an interview on Africa Independent Television (AIT), Oshiomhole cited Senator Kingibe as one of the lawmakers whose name was allegedly misused. “The committee does a hearing; members are expected to sign the report to endorse it. If you don’t agree, you can abstain. But some said they didn’t sign, yet their names were published. People like Senator Ireti Kingibe. She told me, ‘But I didn’t sign that report. But my name was published,'” Oshiomhole said. However, Oshiomhole later backtracked on his forgery allegations, clarifying that his remarks were misrepresented. In a statement, he said: “The insinuation that I said signatures of senators were forged is a complete misrepresentation of what I actually said.” He explained that he never claimed any lawmaker’s signature was forged, but was merely referencing a comment made by a member of the committee.

In response to the allegations, Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu dismissed Oshiomhole’s claims, insisting that no signatures were forged. Adaramodu, who was a member of the Ethics and Public Petitions Committee that investigated the matter, maintained that senators are mature and independent-minded individuals who would raise objections on the floor of the Senate if their rights were violated. “That is not true. Signatures forged, over what?” Adaramodu queried. He added that if Senator Kingibe had any concerns about procedure, she would have raised them on the floor of the Senate, not to an individual. “Nobody will say that he or she was coerced or somebody’s signature was forged; that has never happened in the Senate and it cannot happen. It has never happened,” he stated. Adaramodu confirmed that the Senate leadership would examine Oshiomhole’s comments and take an official position after reviewing the claims.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March 2025 for six months following allegations of gross misconduct and unruly behavior during a dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio regarding sitting arrangements in the chamber. The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions recommended the suspension after Akpoti-Uduaghan protested the reallocation of her seat in the Senate chamber. The committee recommended that Akpoti-Uduaghan submit a written apology before the Senate could consider lifting or reducing her suspension. Her office was ordered locked, her salaries and allowances suspended, and her security details withdrawn for the duration of the suspension, marking one of the harshest disciplinary actions taken against a senator in recent years.

Kingibe Denies Endorsing Akpoti-Uduaghan Suspension

Former Minister Diezani Speaks on Emotional Toll of 11-Year Battle

Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has described her nearly 11-year legal and personal ordeal as “arduous” and “traumatic,” saying her faith in God and family support have remained central to helping her endure the long-running experience.

In a video circulating online and first reported by Tribune Online, Alison-Madueke reflected on what she said has been almost 11 years of challenges linked to her time in public office, stating that the experience has affected not only her but also members of her immediate family.

She specifically referenced the emotional toll on her elderly mother in Port Harcourt and her son, noting that the prolonged period of uncertainty had placed significant strain on close relatives who continued to support her throughout the process.

The former minister expressed gratitude to friends and associates who stood by her during the years of legal scrutiny and public controversy, saying she had remained “surrounded by friends” despite the difficulties.

According to her, the support system around her played a crucial role in sustaining her through what she described as a prolonged period of hardship and emotional pressure.

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Alison-Madueke, who served as Nigeria’s petroleum minister between 2010 and 2015, has faced multiple corruption-related allegations in Nigeria and abroad, including accusations linked to the management of oil revenues during her tenure. She has consistently denied wrongdoing.

Her legal challenges have included investigations and proceedings in the United Kingdom, where authorities previously sought to recover alleged proceeds of corruption, as well as ongoing scrutiny from Nigerian anti-corruption agencies over her time in office.

Despite the controversies, she reiterated her belief that her eventual vindication lies in divine judgment, maintaining a strong religious tone throughout her remarks.

“God will always do as God wills, and God will be God,” she said, adding that “God is not a man that He should lie.”

She further stated:

“It has been almost 11 years I’ve been here. I did my job to the best of my ability… God is not a man that He should lie. God is God, and we thank Him. Praise the Lord.”

Alison-Madueke’s comments add to ongoing public interest in her case, which remains one of the most high-profile corruption-related controversies involving a former Nigerian government official.

The video has continued to generate reactions online, with renewed discussion around accountability, due process, and the personal toll of prolonged legal battles involving former public office holders.

Former Minister Diezani Speaks on Emotional Toll of 11-Year Battle

NLC, TUC Demand New Minimum Wage as Inflation Bites

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have announced plans to begin negotiations with the Federal Government in July 2026 for a fresh minimum wage review, insisting that the current N70,000 minimum wage can no longer sustain Nigerian workers amid rising inflation and worsening economic hardship.

The labour unions disclosed their position during a joint address at the 114th International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland, where they called for the introduction of a “living wage” that reflects current economic realities.

According to the unions, soaring prices of food, transportation, housing, healthcare, electricity and other essential services have significantly eroded the value of workers’ earnings since the implementation of the current wage structure in 2024.

The NLC and TUC argued that while the wage increase approved by President Bola Tinubu’s administration provided temporary relief, persistent inflation and the depreciation of the naira have left millions of workers struggling to meet their basic needs.

Nigeria’s current N70,000 minimum wage was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on July 18, 2024, following months of negotiations between organised labour, state governors and the Federal Government.

The wage law initially provided for a three-year review cycle. However, the Federal Government later adjusted the framework, making the review period every two years, effectively setting 2026 as the next review point.

In preparation for the review, labour leaders said they would formally engage the government in July 2026 to avoid the delays and disputes that characterised previous wage negotiations.

“The current Act expires early next year, and we have announced that renegotiation will commence by July 2026 to avoid the painful delays of the past,” the unions stated.

They added that organised labour would immediately write to the Federal Government to demand the commencement of discussions on a new wage framework.

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The labour centres also strongly opposed any attempt to impose taxes on minimum wage earners, describing such proposals as anti-worker and insensitive to the current economic realities.

According to the unions, taxing low-income earners would worsen poverty and deepen hardship for millions of Nigerians already battling high living costs.

“We demand nothing less than a genuine living wage that reflects today’s harsh economic realities. We also demand immediate relief measures by governments at all levels until a new minimum wage is signed into law. We reject outright any attempt to tax the minimum wage or impose further burdens on the poor,” the labour leaders said.

Beyond wage negotiations, the unions urged federal and state governments to implement emergency relief programmes to cushion the effects of inflation on workers and vulnerable citizens.

They argued that many Nigerians are facing severe financial pressure due to rising costs of transportation, education, healthcare, rent and utilities.

According to labour leaders, waiting until the completion of wage negotiations could leave workers exposed to further economic hardship.

The NLC and TUC also used the Geneva conference to highlight Nigeria’s growing security challenges, warning that insecurity is increasingly affecting workers and economic activities across the country.

The unions said persistent attacks by terrorists, bandits and kidnappers have disrupted livelihoods, displaced communities and made commuting unsafe in several parts of Nigeria.

They noted that thousands of Nigerians have reportedly been killed or displaced by violence in recent months, with the situation negatively impacting productivity and national development.

Labour leaders warned that worsening insecurity could trigger wider social and industrial tensions if urgent measures are not taken to address the crisis.

The unions further expressed concern over rising poverty and unemployment, arguing that economic reforms have yet to translate into improved living standards for ordinary Nigerians.

According to organised labour, millions of citizens continue to struggle with declining purchasing power despite government efforts aimed at stabilising the economy.

The labour leaders maintained that future wage negotiations must focus on protecting workers’ real incomes rather than simply announcing nominal salary increases that are quickly eroded by inflation.

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the NLC and TUC disclosed plans to develop a charter of demands that will guide their engagement with political parties and candidates.

The charter is expected to focus on key issues including security, job creation, wage reforms, healthcare, education, social protection and respect for labour rights.

The unions said support from organised labour would be reserved for political actors willing to commit to policies that improve workers’ welfare and address Nigeria’s economic challenges.

The labour organisations also accused some state governments of interfering in union affairs and attempting to undermine democratically elected labour leadership structures.

They insisted that organised labour would resist any effort to weaken union independence, stressing that workers’ rights and collective bargaining must remain protected.

The NLC and TUC maintained that the forthcoming minimum wage negotiations will be crucial in determining whether Nigerian workers receive a wage that reflects current economic realities or continue to face declining living standards amid rising inflation.

NLC, TUC Demand New Minimum Wage as Inflation Bites