A group – Annang Union Foundation has expressed disdain following the revelation by Dr Sandra Duru (Prof Mgbeke) of the ‘many lies, mudslinging and coordinated falsehoods and tactics’ by the suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to tarnish the image of Nigeria’s Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The group also frowned at Prof Mgbeke’s report, which claimed that the purpose of controversy between both senators was a plan by Natasha to derail and truncate the government of President Bola Tinubu, calling it a “Yoruba Government.”

Recall that Prof Mgbeke, a US-based activist and media personality, had in a Facebook Live on Thursday night displayed phone call logs and WhatsApp conversations, alleging that Natasha offered her ₦200 million to publicly accuse Akpabio of sexual harassment and organ harvesting, associating him to the 2021 death of a young woman named Umoren.

Reacting to the revelation, the Anang Union Foundation in a statement co-signed by its President Adede Nsikak Affia, and Secretary-General Adede Adaha Etuk said, “We condemn in its entirety, the labelling of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a “Yoruba Government” and call on all patriotic sons and daughters of Nigeria to flay such categorisation.

“The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration came to power through the collective and majority votes of Nigerians across tribes, religion and cultures and it is therefore very wrong and treasonable to be labelled a “Yoruba Government.

“We view this statement as inciting, unpatriotic, insulting, repulsive, disgusting and intensely distasteful. We appeal to the Federal Government to take appropriate steps to call suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and her cohorts to order.”

The group emphasised that throughout the reign of President Muhammadu Buhari, no Nigerian of any tribe called it a “Fulani Government” or tried to stop it from having a second term, adding that, “what is good for the goose, is good for the gander.”

The foundation, therefore, said the actions, inactions and statements credited to Senator Natasha on the Tinubu-led administration were a direct invitation to chaos, disunity and war.

The Anang Union Foundation also condemned the alleged attempt by the Senator to ridicule the National Assembly and Nigeria in the international space. “We submit that suspended Senator “Natasha’s action is condemnable, unethical, unwarranted, unwholesome, preposterous, nauseating, rash and repugnant”

The group therefore commended Prof Mgbeke for her patriotism, truthfulness, courage and concern for Nigeria’s future and sheer audacity and revolutionary stance.

The group commended Senator Akpabio for showing leadership, being a man of peace and honour, and exhibiting maturity, passing a vote of confidence on him for coming out strong and undaunted in the face of such intimidation and tempest.

“We warn that people should not capitalize on the Senate President’s simplicity and compassionate disposition to tar and or malign our revered Leader, Chief (Dr) Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON. Like our people used to say: “Jak akpatre ntang unen ature ke edong” translated as: “let the last feather of the hen stops at the knees.” Enough is Enough!

“Any further distraction from any individual, groups or quarters would be faced with stiffed opposition. This is not the first Senate President and will not be the last.

“We call on all well-meaning indigenes of this country to rally round and ensure that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu government delivers on its mandate and serve its tenure till 2031,” the statement added.

Faction of  Labour Party, LP, loyal to Julius Abure said it will not be part of any coalition ahead of the 2027 general election.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its National Executive Council, NEC, meeting held on May 2 at the party’s national headquarters, the faction said it would rather focus on rebuilding and strengthening its structures.

The communiqué was signed by Abure and the National Secretary of the party, Farouk Ibrahim. 

“NEC declared that the party is not and will not be part of any coalition towards the 2027 general election,” part of the communique reads.

“The party will rather continue to rebuild, reposition, re-strategise, reconcile, strengthen, drive its programmes and policies, win more members towards winning the 2027 general elections.”

The party reaffirmed the validity of the 2024 national convention held in Nnewi on March 27, noting that the gathering followed due process.

The faction said a notice for the convention was issued to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on December 4, 2023 and that changes in date and venue were also duly communicated.

The council ratified the list of the ad-hoc delegates elected across the 36 states and the FCT, a decision originally taken at its NEC meeting in Asaba on March 20.

The party commended the Supreme Court for affirming the supremacy of political parties and validating decisions taken by recognised party organs in its April 4 ruling.

“NEC commends the apex court for standing on the sound principle of the supremacy of political parties and the sanctity and bindingness of decisions taken by the validly convened recognised organs as created by the party’s constitution,” the communique added.

The council reiterated support for the Abure-led National Working Committee, NWC, and expressed confidence in its ability to “lead the party to victory”.

NEC also congratulated George Moghalu, who emerged as the party’s governorship candidate in Anambra State, and called on residents to back him in the November 8 poll.

NEC extended an olive branch to aggrieved members and called for reconciliation in the interest of the party and the nation.

LP announced the constitution of a five-member disciplinary committee to investigate the alleged anti-party activities of the governor of Abia State, Alex Otti,  and other erring members.

The panel is chaired by Ayo Olorunfemi and has Umar Farouk Ibrahim as Secretary, with Kehinde Edun, Dudu Manuga and Callistus Ihejiagwa as members.

The committee has been given two weeks to submit its report.

Justice Sherifat Sonaike of  Lagos State High Court, sitting at  Tafawa Balewa Square Annex, has sentenced a Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, driver, Andrew Ominikoron, to death by hanging for the murder of 22-year-old Oluwabamise Ayanwola.

Ominikoron was arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on murder, conspiracy and rape, in connection with the death of Ayanwola, as well as the sexual assault of Dr Anosike Victoria and the rape of Maryland Ojiezelu.

Delivering judgment yesterday, Justice Sonaike ruled that the Lagos State government, which prosecuted the case, had successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

“For the death of  Ayanwola, you will be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May God have mercy upon you,” the judge declared in her pronouncement.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The convict was tried on a five-count charge, including conspiracy, rape, murder and sexual assault, brought against him by the Lagos State vovernment.

According to the charges, the incident occurred on February 26, 2022 around 7pm, near  Lekki-Ajah Conservation Centre, Lekki-Ajah Expressway, Lagos.

The prosecution said  Ominikoron  forcibly had sexual intercourse with  Ayanwole before murdering her.

The offences contravened Sections 411, 223, 260, and 165 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The deceased was last seen on February 26, 2022 after she boarded a BRT bus driven by Ominikoron in the Ajah area of Lagos.

Her disappearance triggered widespread outrage and a city-wide search.

Her body was discovered nine days later on Carter Bridge, Lagos Island.

During the trial, the state called 11 witnesses who testified against the convict.

The convict, who opened his defence on October 17, 2024, denied raping nor killing Oluwabamise.

Ominikoron, who was led in his defence by his counsel, Abayomi Omotubora, told the court that he picked the late Bamishe at Chevron, and at Agungi, he picked three male passengers.

According to him, one of the male passengers was coming forward and he thought it was to pay him, but then the passenger threw something at his head and showed him a gun, asking him to cooperate.