According to the Senate, it would not move on Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension until it has the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Federal High Court of Abuja’s decision from last Friday.

On July 4, 2025, the court issued its decision in response to a lawsuit that Akpoti-Uduaghan had filed contesting her expulsion from the Red Chamber.

The upper legislative body accepted the court’s ruling in a statement released on Sunday by Senator Yemi Adaramodu, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, but insisted that the full language of the ruling had not yet been formally served to it.

“Our legal representatives who were present at the proceedings confirmed that the complete judgment was not read in open court,” the statement said in part.

In order to allow for a comprehensive study and well-informed decision regarding the proper legal reaction, we have legally applied for the Certified True Copy.

The Senate made it clear that it would not take any action that would compromise its legal standing until the entire ruling was examined, especially any possible order that would overturn Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.

The statement claims that “no party to the case has been officially served the enrolled order of the judgment, so no one can enforce any perceived order or relief.”

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In his remark, Adaramodu also underlined the Senate’s continued commitment to due process and its strict adherence to the constitution’s requirements.

This incident coincides with the suspension of Kogi Central Senatorial District representative Akpoti-Uduaghan, which has drawn increasing public attention and political scrutiny.

Public discussion on elected representatives’ rights, legislative overreach, and the distribution of power between the legislature and the judiciary was spurred by her suspension in March 2025.

PDP member Akpoti-Uduaghan was controversially suspended in March of this year for what the Senate referred to as “unparliamentary conduct.”

Legal professionals and civil society organizations criticized the suspension, questioning the Senate’s power to prevent an elected representative from serving her constituency.

To reaffirm her constitutional right to participate in legislative processes and to reverse her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan responded by filing a lawsuit at the Federal High Court.

The court apparently decided in her favor on July 4, although it’s still unclear what the specifics of the ruling were, such as if the suspension was specifically revoked.

Legal experts contend that the Senate cannot be held legally obligated until the judgment’s CTC is served.

The optics of delay, according to some observers, may, nevertheless, reinforce the idea that institutions are opposed to court supervision.

The Senate reaffirmed its dedication to the rule of law and urged the people to exercise patient in its statement.

Once the court’s rulings are fully clarified, the Senate will scrupulously adhere to the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Constitution and maintain its commitment to maintaining the rule of law, the statement stated.

The publication of the CTC could decide whether Akpoti-Uduaghan returns to the Senate floor or whether the legal battle intensifies, therefore the next few days are anticipated to be crucial.

Yiaga Africa is concerned about the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s recently announced extra guidelines for reviewing election result announcements.

On Thursday, INEC issued further norms and procedures for the review of election results, as authorized by Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022.

Yiaga Africa applauded INEC’s move as “a positive step towards ensuring administrative safeguards for electoral integrity” in a statement issued by its executive director, Samson Itodo.

However, the agency warned that several aspects in the new rules could undermine the reforms it hopes to implement.

Yiaga Africa highlighted worries about inclusivity, pointing out that the criteria only allow resident electoral commissioners, returning officers, and national commissioners to submit reports for election result review.

The group termed this as a “exclusionary provision” that essentially excludes political parties, candidates, accredited observers, and their agents, even if they have strong evidence of manipulated or illegal disclosures.

“By restricting the activation of the power of review to reports filed by INEC officials, some of whom may be complicit in the very infractions that warrant review, is counterproductive,” according to the release.

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“Evidence from recent elections revealed instances where electoral officers acted in blatant defiance of INEC’s directives, engaged in the manipulation of results, or abdicated their duties, thereby undermining the integrity of electoral process.”

Yiaga Africa has consequently called on INEC to quickly revise the criteria to increase the scope of eligible persons or institutions entitled to submit reports that may trigger the review process.

“The scope should include political parties, candidates, accredited party agents, and observers present during the collation process. “This will improve transparency, promote electoral justice, and reaffirm INEC’s commitment to credible elections,” the statement continues.

Party members in the opposition alliance led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have been targeted by Bode George, the former deputy national chairman of the Democrats.

George stated during his appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program on Friday that it was intolerable for PDP members, including Atiku Abubakar, to continue to be affiliated with the coalition movement while still being members of the party.

As the Bible says, you cannot serve two masters. Serving A or serving B is your option. It is a misconception, however, to claim that you are in A and B, George stated.

He charged Atiku and former Senate President and ADC coalition leader David Mark with being central to the internal disputes plaguing the PDP.

According to George, the alliance led by the ADC lacked the unity and organization necessary to be a legitimate opposition force.

He claimed that it is nothing more than existential imbecility, or occasionally existential docility.

What is the reason behind their attendance? Your father lives here. The mansion elevated you to the spotlight. This same house gave you all the honors and recognition you deserve.

“Is quitting the cultural thing to do when there is a small crisis? But you remain there. When a leak occurs in your home, do you run out? You’re the landlord, not them.

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Have they have an idea? Could you tell me their plan? That tactic is classless.

The PDP chieftain also recalled the circumstances that led to the party’s presidential primary in advance of the general election in 2023, characterizing them as the crisis’s origin.

“General Buhari had just finished his eighth year when we held the last convention. After eight years, a Northerner had just ended, thus we turned down Atiku Abubakar’s request to compete,” he stated.

Peter Obi was in the South. This was where the problem started.

George stated that Iyorchia Ayu, the party’s national chairman at the time, and Mark, the convention’s chair, ought to be held responsible for the consequences.

Naturally, you can’t get away with doing such things. Then I cautioned against it,” he continued.

Members of the coalition declared the ADC as their 2027 electoral platform on Wednesday.

A number of prominent PDP members attended the event, including former Sokoto governor Aminu Tambuwal, former Kogi senator Dino Melaye, Ovation magazine editor Dele Momodu, former Benue governor Gabriel Suswam, and former PDP national chairman Uche Secondus.

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso would stay with the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in spite of increasing pressure from rival political factions attempting to entice him to leave, according to Buba Galadima, a party chieftain.

Arise Television’s “The Morning Show” featured an interview with Galadima on Friday.

Kwankwaso’s intention to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has been the subject of recent reports; some have connected this development to Abdullahi Ganduje’s eventual departure as NPC chairman.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), APC, and coalition members have all made attempts to court Kwankwaso, according to Galadima, a close acquaintance of the former NNPP presidential contender.

As others try to entice Kwankwaso to join their ranks, he claims that by sticking with the NNPP, he has demonstrated discipline and loyalty.

“Until the political scandal is exposed, we will strategically stay in the NNPP,” Galadima declared.

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Our political party, the NNPP, is recognized by INEC and registered under Nigerian law.

“We occupy our current position. There have been several reports in the media and on social media, of course, but that only serves to highlight Rabiu Kwankwaso’s status as the politician this nation needs and ought to emulate.

Kwankwaso, the former governor of Kano state, was referred to by the NNPP chieftain as “a strategic politician,” whose credibility has only increased due to his quiet.

He continued by saying that Kwankwaso’s worth seems to be recognized by all of the nation’s major groups.

“People are running free campaigns for him, but he has chosen to remain silent,” Galadima stated.

People are claiming that he is capable, competent, and capable of leading the nation instead of spending money on public relations. What more could a politician possibly provide?

All Nigerians require him. He is an essential member of all political parties. Why not back him to win the presidency of Nigeria so he may apply democracy’s benefits?

Although the PDP, APC, and coalition made genuine political advances, Galadima emphasized that Kwankwaso remained “steadfast and strategic.”