A former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, has said that he has no plans to facilitate the defection of Governor Hyacinth Alia from the All Progressives Congress, APC to the People Democratic Party, PDP.

In a statement he signed on Wednesday, Maku said his participation in the recent Good Governance Tour of development projects in Benue State was completely apolitical.

As DAILY POST earlier reported, Governor Alia sparked fresh defection rumours following reports that he had engaged Maku, a member of the PDP, into his media team.

The move was interpreted in political circles as a calculated signal of realignment.

However, the former minister dismissed the speculations as false, saying it was only a sincere, non-partisan initiative.

“The Good Governance Tour is a professional effort designed to shift the focus of political leaders – across all parties and at all levels – away from endless political quarrels towards the urgent need for development and service delivery, particularly to the grassroots,” Maku said in the statement.

He explained that the concept is not new, adding that it began during his time as Minister of Information, when he initiated the National Good Governance Tour as a non-partisan platform for assessing and showcasing development efforts of incumbent leaders across the country.

“Prof Jerry Gana also undertook a nationwide media tour during his time as the Minister of information and National Orientation,” he added.

“At that time, it became clear that our political space was dominated by power tussles and not enough attention was being paid by political actors and the media to the real needs of the people.

“The tour helped many leaders to refocus on their core mandate, which was service to the people.

“As sitting Minister then, I led journalists to states governed by different political parties, and the feedback was very encouraging. Several state Governors confessed that the tour prompted them to take their development agenda more seriously.

“Since leaving office, I have remained concerned about the continued lack of priority attention to governance.

“It was in response to this troubling trend that I reached out to like-minded professionals, including Dr. Mike Omeri, former DG of the National Orientation Agency, to revive the good governance tour as a tool for civic accountability and public engagement.

“We have approached political leaders across party lines, requesting permission to assess and showcase their projects and policies. A number of them have responded positively. The Governor of Benue State, Rev (Dr) Hyacinth Alia happened to be the first to officially invite us to tour his state.

“The Governance Tour of Benue was conducted transparently and broadcast across multiple media platforms. It included a lively town hall where citizens directly engaged the government, asked tough questions, and received honest answers on development and security efforts.

“We have since received a wave of positive feedback from citizens across Nigeria, many of whom are urging us to bring the good governance tour to their own states. The widespread enthusiasm underscores the importance of what we are doing.

“Let me be clear: No part of our mission to Benue State involved persuading Governor Alia to switch political parties. That narrative is absolute fiction. Those who know him understand that he is not driven by desperation for 2027, but by a burning desire to serve.

“We are far more interested in promoting development initiatives and concrete service delivery by our leaders than in the endless cycle of political scheming and bitter power games.”

[DailyPost]

The Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) has dismissed reports claiming it has 10,000 job openings, describing the information as false and misleading.

In a statement released on Tuesday and signed by the Commission’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Taiwo Hassan, the FCSC clarified that only 2,130 vacancies were available under its recently concluded online recruitment exercise, which ended on March 17.

“The attention of the Federal Civil Service Commission has been drawn to a publication circulating on conventional and online media, which stated that the Commission’s available vacancies were 10,000. This is not true,” the statement read.

It also announced that the shortlisting process had been completed, and candidates selected for the next stage—the Computer-Based Test (CBT)—would be notified through various media platforms and its official website: www.fedcivilservice.gov.ng.

[TheNation]

The Premier League has officially commenced the 2025/26 season following its Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday, June 4.

With the administrative transition now complete, all 20 clubs — including promoted sides Leeds United, Burnley, and Sunderland — have been formally recognised as members of the top flight.

“The change from 2024/25 to the 2025/26 campaign has been formalised,” the League confirmed in a statement posted on its website on Wednesday, marking the official start of the new season.

Promotions, relegations confirmed

Leeds, Burnley, and Sunderland have received their Premier League share certificates, the final legal step confirming their promotion.

Each club was entered into the Premier League’s share register and awarded a framed certificate, officially recognising their top-flight status.

“A new share certificate for each promoted club has been signed by the Premier League directors and company secretary. As required under company law, the three clubs have been entered into the share register.”

Meanwhile, relegated clubs Leicester City, Ipswich Town, and Southampton have returned their Premier League shares, concluding their membership.

“The three relegated clubs have transferred back the share certificates that conferred Premier League status, and the Premier League Board has confirmed the cancellation of these shares,” the statement added.

Fixture release date

With all 20 clubs confirmed, attention now turns to the release of the 2025/26 fixtures, scheduled for Wednesday, 18 June at 09:00 BST.

The full schedule for the upcoming season will be unveiled ahead of the opening matchweek on Saturday, 16 August.

“All 20 clubs can now look forward to 09:00 BST on Wednesday, 18 June, when they will discover their fixtures for the 2025/26 season,” the League said.

In the meantime, the Premier League table has been reset, listing all 20 clubs in alphabetical order.

The League’s social media channels have also begun following the official accounts of Leeds, Burnley, and Sunderland, symbolising their full integration.

“The Premier League table has been reset, while the League’s social media accounts now follow those of the three promoted clubs,” it stated.

What’s next?

With the 2025/26 season officially underway, clubs will intensify their pre-season preparations. Several teams have already announced their summer schedules, including friendly matches and overseas tours expected in the coming weeks.

“Wednesday, June 4, marks the official changeover to the new season as Leeds, Burnley, and Sunderland become Premier League clubs,” the League added.

The countdown to a new campaign — promising fresh rivalries, renewed ambitions, and new narratives — has begun.

[Punch]

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has warned Disc Jockeys (DJs) of performing other people’s music publicly without license or owner’s authorisation.

Dr John Asein, Director-General of  NCC, gave the warning in an advisory issued on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to him, the attention of  NCC has been drawn to the practice of some DJs, who publicly perform music without obtaining the requisite copyright licences from rights holders or their approved Collective Management Organisations (CMOs).

He said under sections 9 and 12 of the Copyright Act, 2022, the owner of copyright in a musical work or sound recording had the exclusive right to reproduce, perform or communicate it to the public.

“Engaging in any of these acts without the owner’s authorisation constitutes an infringement under the Act.

“Such infringement may constitute a civil wrong or a criminal offence under section 44 (7), punishable upon conviction by a fine of not less than N1 million or imprisonment for a term of not less than five years or to both.

“The public performance of music by a DJ, whether at hotels, event centres, clubs, gardens, or recreational facilities, constitutes both a public performance and a communication to the public of the musical work and sound recording, as provided for under the Act,” he said.

He advised them to obtain appropriate licences and pay royalties to the approved Collective Management Organisation (CMO) prior to engaging in such performances.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the approved CMO for musical works and sound recordings in Nigeria is the Musical Copyright Society, Nigeria (MCSN).

“The Commission is aware that the Disc Jockey’s Association of Nigeria (DJAN), as the umbrella body representing DJs in Nigeria, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with MCSN.

“Under the arrangement, DJAN is authorised to work with MCSN to facilitate the payment of royalties by DJs nationwide, based on the tariff that DJAN had negotiated

with MCSN,” he explained.

The DG, however, stressed that the commission would not hesitate to investigate, arrest and prosecute any DJ found to be in contravention of the law.

He added that henceforth, the commission would be working with other relevant authorities to support the initiative of DJAN, to ensure that DJs carry out their trade in compliance with the Copyright Act.

(NAN)

An analysis of public holidays and official leave days as a percentage of total available workdays in a year indicates that Nigerian workers spend approximately 15.7% of their time away from work.

This is according to a review conducted by Nairametrics Research, which relied on officially declared public holidays and statutory annual leave entitlements.

In a typical calendar year with 261 potential working days excluding weekends, Nigerians are entitled to between 41 to 46 days off.

These include public holidays, annual leave, and sick leave, as stipulated by labour regulations and employment contracts.

This estimate, however, excludes workers engaged in essential services such as healthcare, security, emergency response, and those in shift-based roles, who may not observe all national holidays or who work on rotational schedules that reduce or redistribute time off.

For a country navigating the complexities of economic recovery, youth unemployment, and increasing global competitiveness, the volume of time spent off work has sparked heated boardroom debates and policy roundtables.

Yet, for the average Nigerian, these breaks are not just welcome, they are necessary.

In the United States, the term “holiday” typically refers to fixed dates of national or religious significance. In the UK and Commonwealth nations, it’s interchangeable with “vacation.” But in Nigeria, holidays and leave are deeply ingrained in the socio-cultural and religious fabric of the nation.

Holidays like Eid, Easter, Christmas, and Democracy Day are observed nationwide and often serve as periods of rest, family reunions, and communal activities. These pauses, while seemingly disruptive to productivity, are considered essential for both cultural cohesion and worker rejuvenation.

A breakdown of the 41 days of rest 

• Christmas Holidays(Dec 25 &26): 2 days (Christmas Day & Boxing Day)
• New Year(Jan 1): 1 day
• Easter Holidays: 2 days (Good Friday & Easter Monday)
• Muslim Holidays: 5 days (Eid-el-Fitr, Eid-el-Kabir, and associated days)
• Democracy Day (June 12): 1 day
• Labour Day (May 1): 1 day
• Independence Day (October 1): 1 day
• Annual Leave (Statutory): 20-28 days
• Sick Leave (Approximate): 5 days

Additionally, workers are entitled to approximately 5 days of sick leave annually, although not all employees take full advantage of this provision. So, this comes to a total of 41 to 46 days, depending on the number of sick leave days permitted or taken.

How Nigerians perceive holidays 

While some business leaders have expressed concern over the volume and distribution of public holidays, particularly when they fall mid-week and disrupt operations, data from surveys and academic research suggest that most Nigerian workers value these breaks as essential to their well-being.

• A 2020 survey of 247 bank employees in Anyigba, Kogi State, found that over 90% of respondents viewed public holidays as vital for religious observance, family bonding, and mental recovery.
• The study, published in the KIU Journal of Social Sciences, revealed a strong preference for preserving national holidays, despite occasional concerns about workflow disruption.
• Global research echoes this sentiment. A 2006 report by Ernst & Young, cited in Boyd (2014), indicated that employees who took more leave achieved higher performance reviews, with each additional ten hours of leave translating to an 8% improvement in annual ratings.

Similarly, studies by Kühnel & Sonnentag (2012) and Zenger & Folkman (2015) confirmed that regular periods of rest reduce burnout and improve staff retention.

Despite these benefits, there are concerns from an output and productivity standpoint.

A 2017 study by Botes reported measurable dips in productivity across sectors during holiday periods, especially in industries like finance, logistics, and manufacturing.

Additionally, research conducted in Sweden (Mohammed et al., 2018) found that while holidays improve morale, they can also introduce stress-related health risks tied to financial obligations and social pressures.

Nonetheless, for a country where religion, community, and family remain deeply embedded in the social fabric, these days off are not just tolerated—they are expected.

[Nairametrics]

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says its operatives have arrested a 63-year-old suspect for alleged impersonation and extortion under false pretences to influence investigation into a $4.5 billion Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) fraud.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Dele Oyewale, spokesperson of the EFCC, said the suspect, Ernesto Chukwukamma, was arrested for allegedly posing as a journalist affiliated with the commission.

Oyewale said Chukwukamma deceived a petitioner to part with N2 million, with a promise to help suppress a report implicating him in the alleged PTF fraud.

The suspect reportedly told the petitioner that members of a supposed correspondents’ chapel attached to the EFCC were in possession of a damaging report alleging that the petitioner stole $4.5 billion during the winding down of the PTF.

He allegedly threatened the petitioner and demanded money to halt further investigations.

The EFCC spokesperson said Chukwukamma was taken into custody while attempting to withdraw the N2 million allegedly collected from the petitioner.

Oyewale said the suspect will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

[TheCable]

What began as a confrontation between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio has since morphed into a full-blown mob campaign designed to shred her credibility, assassinate her character, and drown her voice under a wave of orchestrated smear. Let us call it what it is, this is no longer a political dispute. This is a brutal mobbing, and it is unjust.

At first glance, the matter seemed confined to the Senate floor. Natasha, representing Kogi Central, made serious allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio. Whether these claims were true or not, they deserved an impartial investigation. Instead, the reaction from certain quarters has been anything but measured. A growing list of individuals and interest groups have risen, not in defense of truth or justice, but to destroy Natasha by any means necessary.

But who started this online mobbing? The earliest and most vocal instigator appears to be Dr. Sandra Duru, also known as “Professor Mgbeke”, a U.S.-based activist and self-acclaimed forensic investigator. Duru took it upon herself to lead a ferocious digital assault against Natasha, going beyond mere commentary into the realm of character assassination. In a Facebook Live session, she released private call logs and WhatsApp messages allegedly exchanged with Natasha, accusing the senator of offering a ₦200 million bribe to frame Akpabio for organ harvesting and link him to the death of a young woman, Iniubong Umoren.

Duru’s role in this entire saga goes beyond that of a whistleblower. She positioned herself as a judge, jury, and executioner, driven by what many now suspect to be political or personal motives. But even her credibility took a nosedive when media personality Francess Olisa Ogbonnaya came forward to expose what appeared to be a sinister conspiracy. In an interview with investigative journalist Adeola Fayehun, Ogbonnaya alleged that Duru paid her ₦300,000 to fabricate a damaging audio clip that would implicate Natasha. She refused to follow through on parts of the script that were indefensible, triggering a fallout with Duru.

Ogbonnaya supported her claims with screenshots of WhatsApp chats, payment receipts, and a script titled “Light Mask: The Politics of Blackmail and Emotional Manipulation.” It became glaring that this was not merely about truth, it was about takedown. Adding fuel to the fire, during Duru’s live broadcast, a missed call from “Senator Akpabio SP” appeared on her phone screen, casting a heavy cloud of suspicion over her independence and intentions.

So, who are those really behind the mobbing? While names like Duru stand out, this goes deeper. It is a coalition of politically motivated actors, attention-seeking influencers, and digital mercenaries who would rather protect powerful men than listen to inconvenient truths. They operate like a virtual lynch mob, amplifying falsehoods, spreading edited content, and spinning narratives with zero accountability.

Was there a conspiracy against Natasha? The evidence, though circumstantial, suggests so. The scripting of fake audios, financial inducements to influencers, and coordinated online attacks are all red flags. There is an unmistakable pattern of silencing, framing, and defaming, hallmarks of a premeditated smear campaign. The question is not whether Natasha is guilty or innocent. The question is: Why is due process being replaced with digital stoning?

It is deeply troubling that the real issue, whether or not a sitting Senate President committed sexual harassment, has been completely buried under the noise of leaked chats, unverified claims, and character defamation. What we are witnessing is coordinated aggression against a woman who dared to raise her voice. Instead of letting institutions do their job, people with no official stake in the matter are now leading the charge to crush her, not just politically, but personally.

Natasha is no stranger to hostility. During her senatorial campaign, she was belittled, mocked, and resisted with every force imaginable. She defied those odds, won her seat, and started speaking out against the rot in the system. Now, she is being punished for it, not with policy debate or legal rebuttal, but with public humiliation, digital warfare, and targeted harassment.

And what danger does this mobbing culture pose to democracy? A grave one. When society replaces institutions with mobs and trials with trending hashtags, democracy dies a slow death. When a woman in power is mobbed like this for speaking up, it sends a chilling message to others: “Keep quiet, or we will ruin you.” It is no longer about Akpabio. The fight has shifted. It is Natasha versus “Them”, those who would rather protect the status quo than confront uncomfortable truths.

Nigeria must rise above this toxic culture. Let the facts be examined, not the person. Let justice be pursued, not vendetta. And most importantly, let us stop normalizing mob attacks against voices we do not agree with. Because when we fail to protect one, we endanger all.

Against the foregoing backdrop, it is expedient to condemnably comment that social media mobbing, which is an aggressive, coordinated online attack aimed at discrediting or destroying someone’s reputation is not good for our democracy. Without a doubt, it has become a ruthless weapon in today’s political arena. When directed at politicians, the consequences can be far-reaching, and often irreversible. Here’s a blunt, realistic analysis of the impact:

First and foremost, Social media mobbing allows detractors to chip away at a politician’s credibility rapidly. With hashtags, edited videos, doctored screenshots, and viral misinformation, political careers can be damaged overnight. The court of public opinion rarely waits for facts, it reacts to emotions, and mobbing feeds on that frenzy.

In a similar vein, politicians under siege often find themselves forced to address personal attacks instead of focusing on governance or legislative work. Mobbing shifts attention from meaningful debates to petty mudslinging, effectively hijacking public discourse and derailing policy progress.

Still in a similar vein, the barrage of insults, threats, and ridicule can take a serious mental health toll. Some politicians withdraw from public engagement, others lose the fire to continue serving. Female politicians, in particular, bear the brunt of gendered insults and misogynistic narratives, often making them question their safety and space in politics.

In fact, mobs manipulate public sentiment to serve the interests of the powerful. When politicians challenge entrenched systems or expose wrongdoing, mobbing becomes a tool to silence them and protect the status quo. This was evident in Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case, where a personal allegation triggered a mobbing campaign seemingly designed to deflect attention from her claims and protect elite interests.

Also, when online mobs replace due process and institutions, democracy takes a hit. Social media becomes judge, jury, and executioner. This undermines the rule of law and sets a dangerous precedent: whoever controls the narrative online, controls the outcome, facts be damned.

Again, potentially brilliant, well-meaning individuals get discouraged from entering politics after seeing how quickly mobbing can ruin reputations. In a country like Nigeria, where we desperately need fresh, uncorrupted voices in politics, social media mobbing is acting as a gatekeeper of the worst kind.

However, social media mobbing is not activism. It is not justice. It is digital vigilantism that can destroy lives, stifle dissent, and poison democracy. When it becomes the dominant mode of engagement with our leaders, we do not just lose good politicians, we lose the soul of civic discourse itself.

HE President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
The President and Commander-in-Chief, Federal Republic of Nigeria

Your Excellency,

AN URGENT APPEAL TO END THE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST NABTEB CERTIFICATE HOLDERS IN NIGERIA’S UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS: A Clarion Call for Inclusion and Justice

We write this public appeal with deep concern—and an even deeper hope—that the time has come for Nigeria to embrace equity and inclusion in its higher education admission system, particularly with respect to the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) certificate holders.

In an age defined by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), where digital skills, robotics, artificial intelligence, and technical innovations are shaping the future of nations, Nigeria must urgently reconsider its exclusionary stance against NABTEB certificate holders—especially in critical fields like engineering, computer science, and technology.

NABTEB: A Legitimate Pathway, Not a Lesser One

NABTEB was created to promote technical and vocational excellence. It certifies young Nigerians who graduate from technical colleges with hands-on skills in mechatronics, computing, industrial mechanics, electrical installation, plumbing, and more. These young men and women are not “dullards” or “alternatives.” They are gifted, skilled, and ready to build Nigeria’s future.

And yet, most Nigerian universities—including older ones like the University of Lagos and the University of Ibadan—do not accept NABTEB certificates for admission into engineering and other technical faculties. This systemic discrimination contradicts the government’s stated vision of promoting Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

A mother’s testimony of heartbreak and injustice

Princess Temitope Aladegoroye, a respected broadcaster and mother, shares the story of her gifted son—a young engineer and coder with professional certifications from FESTO (Germany), CISCO (USA), and the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Labour. He graduated with distinction from a technical college and passed NABTEB brilliantly.

However, he could not gain admission into his dream faculty—Engineering at UNILAG—because his NABTEB certificate was rejected. He was then forced to sit for WAEC GCE. But in a shocking twist, his result was withheld, possibly due to a traumatic experience during the examination where he was harassed and demonized for wearing traditional Yoruba beads (Òdè-Ifá and Òṣun beads) which he has worn from birth as an Ọ̀nìṣeṣe (traditional spiritual worshiper.

The result is a young genius plunged into depression and despair. A child full of brilliance, now withdrawn and broken—not for lack of ability, but because his country shut the door on him.

This is just one child. But there are thousands more like him, hidden in communities across Nigeria—burning with ideas, but blocked by policies that fail to recognize their path.

The Current Reality
Out of Nigeria’s over 170 universities, only a handful accept NABTEB for technical courses. These include:
i) Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi
ii) Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
iii) Bayero University, Kano
iv) Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun
v) Federal Universities of Technology in Akure, Minna, and Gashua
However, most other private and public universities—including top-tier institutions—do not accept NABTEB, relegating thousands of technically gifted youths to the sidelines.

Why This Must Change
1. Inclusion and Social Justice_: NABTEB is a federally recognized exam body. Its exclusion contradicts constitutional guarantees of equal opportunity.

2) Skills-Based Economy:_
4IR demands hands-on thinkers and makers. Technical college graduates are exactly what Nigeria needs.

3) Government Policy Alignment:_ The Federal Government is actively promoting TVET, entrepreneurship, and youth employment. Universities must not work at cross purposes.

4) Mental Health and Talent Waste:_ As seen in Princess Aladegoroye’s story, these rejections damage lives, morale, and national potential.

Our Prayer and Appeal
Your Excellency, we respectfully call on you to direct the following urgent actions, that:
1) JAMB should mandate all UTME-participating institutions to accept NABTEB as a valid O’Level requirement, especially for technical disciplines.
2) Nigerian Universities should update their admission guidelines to remove discriminatory clauses and embrace NABTEB.
3) WAEC should investigate and release all unjustly withheld results, especially in cases involving cultural or religious profiling.
4) Ministry of Education & NUC should issue a policy directive reaffirming NABTEB’s status and its place in the National Qualifications Framework.

A Nation That Believes in Its Builders
Your Excellency, it is our belief that every robot built by a Nigerian child matters. Every app coded by a young genius counts. Every drone, every circuit, every hydraulic project in a Technical College classroom is a step toward national greatness. Ẁe appeal to Your Excellency to kindly discourage blocking the future of our children with elitist barriers.
We urge Your Excellency to listen to the voices of reason and compassion, and to build an inclusive, just, and future-ready education system—one where no gifted child is left behind.

Respectfully,

Richard Odusanya & Princess Temitope Aladegoroye
(On behalf of Nigerian Parents, Technical College Students, and Concerned Citizens)

Richard Odusanya
Concerned Advocate for Youth & Technical Education
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Princess Temitope Aladegoroye
Executive Director, Nubia Africa
Broadcaster, Lifestyle Coach & Humanitarian Advocate
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cc:
* The Minister of Education
* The Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB)
* The Register West African Examinations Council (WAEC)
* The Register National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NAPTEB)
* Chairmen, Senate & House Committees on Education
* All Vice Chancellors and University Governing Councils

When a Government Hears Power, Not Pain

Nigeria’s democracy is quietly undergoing a test—one that is not playing out through constitutional amendments or high-profile legislation, but through the lived experience of one woman: Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Between March and May 2025, she submitted twelve formal petitions to relevant authorities. These were not casual remarks or politically motivated gestures. They were direct, documented appeals for help, citing cyberstalking, death threats, defamation, the sudden removal of her police security, and even an alleged assassination attempt.

The petitions included names not unfamiliar to Nigerians—Senate President Godswill Akpabio, former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello, Senator Nwebonyi, and political figure Dr. Sandra Duru. These names carry political weight, and perhaps, it is that very weight that left her appeals suspended in silence.

The Response Came—But Not for Her

Despite the volume and gravity of these petitions, there was no investigation. No follow-up. No reply. What did receive swift response, however, was a televised comment—one line repeated publicly by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan expressing concern about discussions allegedly held between Akpabio and Bello regarding her elimination. Days later, the Federal Government filed a criminal defamation charge. Twelve ignored pleas. One expedited prosecution.

To many observers, the contrast is troubling. It suggests that in today’s Nigeria, a woman may speak into the void with official petitions, but the moment she utters a sentence that unsettles the powerful, the legal system awakens—not to listen, but to confront her.

A Vague Invitation After Months of Silence

In a recent interview with journalist Adeola Fayehun, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan revealed that shortly after her legal counsel went public with the inaction on her petitions, she received a letter of invitation from the police. This letter arrived not after careful deliberation—but after public exposure. Even then, it included no date, no time—just an undefined call to appear

This form of reactive administration undermines trust. It suggests that state processes are not being led by principle, but by pressure. The timing, the vagueness, the optics—all leave questions in the minds of those watching.

Returning from London with Caution, Not Confidence

The senator is returning to Nigeria from London, where she had been attending to personal matters. She will appear in court this Tuesday, June 3, 2025, to respond to the defamation charge brought against her. In the same interview, she invited Nigerians to be present in court—not to protest, but to observe, to bear witness.

She spoke with composure, but with visible unease. She acknowledged the risks, referencing incidents in Nigerian courts where defendants have faced unexpected violence. She did not sound like a politician strategizing—she sounded like a citizen preparing herself. She admitted she may be granted bail—or she may be remanded in custody. She is not certain what Tuesday will bring. But she is showing up.

That, in itself, is something the nation should pause to consider.

The Larger Pattern Beneath the Moment

From a psychological and institutional view, this situation fits into a troubling pattern. A woman asks for protection and is ignored. A woman speaks publicly and is charged. A woman returns from abroad to defend herself and fears the very courtroom she’s been summoned to. This is not an isolated event—it’s part of a deeper discomfort within our system that many Nigerians, especially women, understand too well.

When justice responds to power faster than to danger, it becomes difficult to convince citizens that our institutions serve them equally. It becomes harder for young people—especially young women—to believe that reporting harassment or intimidation leads anywhere other than deeper exposure.

To the Attorney-General: There’s Still Room for Balance

Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, you occupy a position not only of law but of perception. This case, now public and international, places your office in a delicate light. Twelve petitions were submitted. Their silence contrasts sharply with the urgency of the defamation charge. Many Nigerians are not asking for outcomes—they are simply asking for equal attention. Your legacy will not be shaped by what laws were technically followed, but by whether the average citizen felt the law was equally available to them.

To President Tinubu: The Nation Looks Higher Than the Ministries

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, respectfully, it is now clear that this matter is larger than any one agency. The public is not focusing on the IGP. The weight of this moment has moved beyond the AGF. It now rests with you.

You may not have known all the details. In a system this complex, that’s understandable. But now you do. And the question becomes not what your officials did before, but what your leadership will choose to do next.

No one is asking you to interfere with the courts. But people are watching to see whether justice in Nigeria still flows from a place of impartiality, or from proximity to political power. When a senator returns from abroad in fear, and publicly calls on citizens to attend her hearing—when she doesn’t know whether she’ll go home or be detained—this becomes more than law. It becomes a mirror for how the country handles accountability, fear, and truth.

Justice Delayed, Yes—but Cannot Be Forever Denied

There is still time to ensure this does not become a lasting stain on our justice system. There is time to allow the law to breathe evenly across all names—both the accused and the accuser. Twelve petitions deserve a fair hearing. One charge deserves due process. But above all, the nation deserves to see that its institutions are not tilted toward only the most powerful voices.

If justice bends to power, it fractures. But if justice stands straight—even when uncomfortable—then perhaps this democracy still has hope. Twelve petitions. One woman. A courtroom soon to be filled. And a presidency quietly watched.

Let it all proceed. But let it proceed with conscience.