Group says Natasha’s recall will deepen democracy

The Campaign for Democracy, a civil society organisation, on Thursday said the recall of Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP-Kogi Central) by her constituents would deepen democracy in Nigeria.

The pro-democracy group also said that such action by her concerned constituents would help put lawmakers on their toes to serve them well.

The group made this known in a statement issued in Lokoja by its President, Mr Ifeanyi Odili.

It expressed worry over what it described as “avoidable” crisis between embattled suspended Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio a few weeks ago.

According to the group, the incident has put Nigeria’s image on trial before the global community.

The CSO said it was worried that, rather than addressing the core issues surrounding her (Akpoti-Uduaghan) suspension within the framework of Nigeria’s democratic institutions, she chose to “engage in a campaign of calumny against the Senate as an institution.”

“It’s unfortunate that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s activities within and outside the country since the beginning of the controversy have cast an unfortunate dent on the image of Nigeria, for which she must apologise.

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“This is nothing but gross misconduct against Nigeria,” it said.

It advised respected Nigerian leaders to always identify when not to play opposition politics with delicate national issues, in the best interest of the nation.

“More worrisome is the fact that she has distorted the facts preceding her suspension and curiously held on to her sexual harassment allegations against the Senate President as the reason for the initial actions taken against her.

“Taking such misrepresentation to the world stage and representing Nigeria illegally at the Inter Parliamentary Union to air such views can be described as nothing but gross misconduct against the country.

Group says Natasha’s recall will deepen democracy

We welcome Gov Makinde’s U-turn on Shari’ah panel – MURIC

The Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde, has at a Ramadan lecture sponsored by the Oyo State government, acknowledged the legitimacy of Shari’ah and gave his nod to the use of Shari’ah panels by Muslims in Oyo State.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), in its reaction, has expressed satisfaction with the governor’s new position. However, the human rights group said it hoped the statement had no political undertone specifically aimed at 2027.
MURIC’s reaction came in a statement released on Friday, 28th March, 2025 by the Executive Director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
The full statement read:

“The Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde, yesterday at a public function acknowledged the legitimacy of Shari’ah and gave his nod to the use of Shari’ah panels by Muslims in Oyo State (https://insideoyo.com/shariah-law-makinde-clears-air-says-we-will-support-anything-in-line-with-constitution/).
“The governor spoke at the annual Iftar (Ramadan evening breakfast) programme organized by the Oyo State Government for Muslims in the state which was held on on Wednesday, 26th March, 2025 at the frontage of the Presidential Lodge, Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.
“MURIC welcomes this development. It is a significant milestone in the Shari’ah debate and an important landmark in the dialogue between Yoruba Muslims and the rest of the population in Yorubaland, particularly the Christians and the traditionalists.

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“This new position stands in contradistinction to the widely circulated threat to challenge Shari’ah in court allegedly made by Governor Seyi Makinde (https://punchng.com/makinde-plans-suit-as-oyo-sharia-panel-begins-sitting/). It is noteworthy that the governor used the occasion to deny planning to go to court.
“Every Nigerian can now see that Shari’ah is constitutional. No court in the land can dismiss it and no reasonable person can challenge it in court no matter how highly placed. We are vindicated.

“Those who have been misinformed should learn to accept this fact. Truth is colourless. Truth uses no makeup. It needs no embellishment. It is constant. The Bible says, ‘You will know the truth and the truth shall set you free’ (John 8:32).

“We only hope that Makinde’s volte-face at the Iftar on Wednesday has no political undertone specifically aimed at his 2027 presidential ambition. Anyway, we will cross that bridge when we get there.

“Meanwhile it is important to clarify a remark made by Governor Makinde in his speech which is already being misunderstood. His words, ‘So, on this particular Sharia Panel, whoever wants to patronise it and feels it is an alternative dispute mechanism, it is okay’ has been misinterpreted in some quarters to mean that even Christians are free to approach the Shari’ah panel.

“We do not want to believe this was the governor’s intention. Part of the basic rules of Shari’ah is that Christians should not be involved in the operation of Shari’ah whether as plaintiffs or defendants. We therefore advise Christians and traditionalists to continue using their common and customary law. We are not interested in attracting adherents of other religions into Islam through Shari’ah.

“MURIC feels sanctified that the governor now recognizes the Shari’ah panel as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism (ADR) capable of decongesting the heavy logjam of cases before the conventional courts.

“In his own words, the governor had said, ‘The interpretation on my own side is that, even in our families, it is not every issue we take to court. When people have disagreements, the elders in the family try to settle the dispute … It will help the government and ensure that the cases going to our judges are reduced… We will encourage alternative dispute resolution mechanism…’

“We urge Governor Seyi Makinde to go the whole hog. Now that he has admitted that Shariah is constitutional, he has a duty to protect the constitution which he swore to defend, including this constitutional Shari’ah, an integral part of our grund norm.

“The losers are the noise makers, the hysterical hooligans who threatened to use violence against Muslim leaders and their families and called us bastards and other unprintable names on account of the Shari’ah saga. What have you gained now? Makinde is here to deal with you. Seyi is now the undisputed defender of our Constitutional Shari’ah. All hail the governor!”

We welcome Gov Makinde’s U-turn on Shari’ah panel – MURIC

How immigration officer was shot in Niger State, FG speaks on new action

The Federal Government has offered more insights into the February 21 shooting incident at a Chinese company in Niger state, saying the victim, a female officer of the Nigerian Immigration Service NIS, was hit by a stray bullet while passing by the firm.

Preliminary reports had indicated that the officer, who was in uniform, was shot by a personnel of a sister-agency on the orders of a Chinese expatriate.

However, Babatunde Alao, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said the minister did not issue a conclusive statement regarding the incident.

The Federal Government also expressed commitment to deepening bilateral ties with its partners, including China.

He said; “Although preliminary investigation suggests that the officer was hit by a stray bullet, it is important to clarify that the Honourable Minister’s remarks were made in the context of expressing deep concern over the seriousness of the allegations brought to his attention.

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“His comments were intended to underscore the sanctity of Nigeria’s sovereignty and the protection of uniformed officers serving the nation.

“The matter is still under thorough investigation by security agencies, as such, any assertions made are not to be construed as a final report or judgment on the incident.

“The Honourable Minister remains committed to upholding due process, and he has full confidence in the investigative mechanisms in place to ascertain the facts and ensure accountability where necessary”.