By Adedapo Adesanya

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued the Senate and its President, Mr Godswill Akpabio, for not lifting the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The Senate recently suspended Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, after she reportedly ‘spoke without permission’ and ‘refused her new seat in the Senate chamber.’

Her salary and allowances have also been withheld for the duration of the suspension, and she has been barred from identifying herself as a senator.

In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/498/2025 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio to rescind the unlawful suspension of Mrs Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, reinstate her, and fully restore all her legislative rights, entitlements, and privileges.”

In the suit, the group argued that: “Granting this application would serve the public interest and promote respect for the rights of everyone in the National Assembly.”

According to SERAP, “Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension is based solely on the peaceful exercise of her right to freedom of expression in the Senate. All the other grounds cited by the Senate for her suspension seem to be a pretext to further restrict her fundamental human rights.

“Suspending Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan for peacefully exercising her right to freedom of expression has made her opinion in the Senate ineffective,” the organisation noted.

The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare and Mrs Adelanke Aremo, read in part: “No member of the Senate should suffer any consequences for peacefully exercising their freedom of expression.

“Any application of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 by the Senate must conform with constitutional and international human rights norms and standards relating to freedom of expression and should not jeopardise the right itself.

“A higher degree of tolerance is expected when it is a political speech and an even higher threshold is required when it is directed towards government officials including members of the Senate.

“The unlawful restriction of Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s right to freedom of expression has indirectly violated Nigerians’ right to receive information and ideas and seriously undermined the right of her constituency to political participation.

“Given the impracticality of direct participation of all citizens, article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights provides that a citizen shall exercise political power either directly or through freely chosen representatives.

“The suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate has restricted and seriously undermined the ability of the residents of her Kogi Central Senatorial District to effectively participate in their own government.

“The Senate has the obligations to uphold the rule of law and the provisions of section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution and Nigeria’s obligations under article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Rivers State House of Assembly has adjourned its legislative duties indefinitely, frustrating the re-presentation of the 2025 budget by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Recall that this week, precisely on Wednesday, Mr Fubara was at the makeshift premises of the parliament to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the Rivers Assembly as directed by the Supreme Court, but he was shut out.

He was not allowed to enter for the presentation of the budget. He, right there, informed journalists that he had earlier called the Speaker, Mr Martin Amaewhule, on the phone of his intention to be at the Assembly.

The next day, during a media chat, his predecessor, Mr Nyesom Wike, who is currently the Minister of FCT, lambasted his successor, saying he was trying to blackmail the state legislators.

At the plenary on Friday, the lawmakers, who are loyal to Mr Wike, agreed to indefinitely suspend sittings, a move that could make it impossible for the Governor to legitimately spend any government funds.

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

No fewer than one million bags of rice weighing 10kg each will be distributed in the 774 local government areas of Nigeria by the Aliko Dangote Foundation.

The organisation made this disclosure on Thursday at the launch of the 2025 Annual National Food Intervention Project valued at N16 billion.

The distribution of the food item will begin in Kano State, and then to other states, the chairman of the foundation, Mr Aliko Dangote, disclosed.

“This annual initiative, which embodies compassion, solidarity, and shared responsibility, is part of our response to the current economic challenges facing our nation. It reflects our commitment to supporting our communities in line with our core values,” the businessman, who was represented by his daughter, Ms Marya Aliko Dangote, explained.

“We are collaborating with state governments to ensure that the food reaches the most vulnerable individuals in each state.

“Our foundation focuses on improving the living conditions of Nigerians through support for projects which tackle hunger and water supply problems, strengthen the quality and scope of health and education, and promote economic empowerment at the community level

“I believe that today’s event will help tackle hunger and help the most vulnerable people break their fast. We are playing our role in enhancing the living conditions of our people.

“I urge other industrialists and firms to lend a helping hand in combating hunger through programmes and initiatives that will place food on the tables of vulnerable Nigerians.

“This job should not be left to the government alone, rather we need a public-private partnership that will help us in fighting the scourge.

“I commend the government at all levels for efforts in addressing the food crisis. I am certain that with time, we shall overcome these challenges; therefore, let us support the government in achieving its target of a better life for Nigerians,” the richest man in Africa stated.

The Governor of Kano State, Mr Abba Yusuf, who flagged off the event, said the intervention reflects the unwavering commitment of Mr Dangote in addressing poverty and hunger in Nigeria.

Mr Yusuf, represented by his deputy, Mr Aminu Abdulsalam Gworzo, said 120,000 bags of 10kg rice would be distributed across the 44 Local Government Areas of the state, describing the industrialist as humane.

To ensure transparency in the distribution process, he said the state government has set up a committee comprising of relevant ministries, CSOs, religious leaders, departments and agencies, local authorities, the Hisbah Board and security agencies.

On her part, the chief executive of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Ms Zouera Youssoufou, said the gesture was a way of giving back, and supporting governments in fighting poverty and hunger in Nigeria.

“We are going to other states to distribute the products, but we’ve just flagged off in Kano,” she told newsmen on the sideline of the Kano Government House, venue of the flag off,” she stated.