Party loyalty and personal leanings on the political gbas-gbos rocking the Nigerian Senate have echoed in Edo State with women groups moving publicly against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

These turn of events, which appeared to have the blessing of the Edo State Government was detailed in a government house statement in Benin City, under the signature of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua.

According to the statement, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial Woman Leader for Edo South, Hon. Barr. Itohan Osahon, led protest demanding that Sen Akpoti-Uduaghan should apologise to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

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Itua made clear on which side the Edo State was standing, when the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Musa Ikhilor, received the pro-Akpabio demonstrators, on behalf of the governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

He cited the President, Senior Citizens of Edo State, Rosemary Elawure, as having made it clear that the women embarked on the peaceful protest in support of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The statement reads, “A group of concerned women from Edo State has called on Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to humble herself and apologize to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Nigerians for dragging the name of the nation in the mud.

The women gave the charge during a peaceful protest to the Edo State Government House.

Led by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial Woman Leader for Edo South, Hon. Barr. Itohan Osahon, the women were received by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Musa Ikhilor on behalf of the governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo who was out of the State on an official assignment.

Speaking, Osahon said: “We are concerned women of Edo State and we are not comfortable with what is going on at the red chamber. Natasha is not the only woman in the Senate and the Senate is not about sexual harassment.

“She was suspended because she violated the rules of the Senate and she is manipulating the whole issue against the Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio. Senator Natasha has been suspended for six months for disobeying the Senate Rules, not for sexual harassment.

“We don’t want her to abuse the opportunity given to her to serve her people. Our First Lady was once a senator and was there for years and such issue was not experienced. We have had many women in the Senate and House of Representatives and we have not had issues like this.

“Traveling all around the world, disgracing the country, making us the laughing stock and making a whole lot of noise about the issue. She should just apologize to the Senate. Edo State women are women who respect tradition and respect our men. She should not drag us to the mud.

“Our demand is that Natasha should be called to order and sentiments should not come to play and she should respect the rules of the Senate.”

The President, Senior Citizens of Edo State, Mrs. Rosemary Elawure said the women embarked on the peaceful protest in support of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

She said Sen. Natasha lied against Senator Akpabio and that she was not the only senator whose seat was changed in the red chambers.

“Senior citizens don’t support things that will not bring progress and development to the country. Edo women are in support of the Senate President who has a very beautiful and intelligent wife who is humble and respectful. We urge Senator Natasha to be respectful and obey the rules of the Senate,” she counselled.

The women asked her to apologize to the Senate, House of Representatives as well as State Houses of Assembly in the country.

Receiving the women, Barr. Ikhilor commended them for a peaceful protest and expressing themselves freely, noting that women are very big stakeholders in Edo State.

He noted that the National Assembly is for all Nigerians and thanked the women for adding their voices to the issues concerning Sen. Natasha and the President of the Senate.

“You are here to make a very strong point regarding what is going on as it is now disturbing. It is wrong for facts to be distorted and manipulated. Nigerians are beginning to become conscious.

“Nigerians are aware of what happened in the Senate. The issue is all about the rules and regulations and anyone who disobeys them should face the consequences. Women are fighting for bigger issues facing them and Sen. Natasha can’t serve as the stumbling block stopping women from progressing.

“Sen. Akpabio has made a distinguished career in public service and we have confidence in him and his ability to manage the red chamber. The Senate is not a place for content creation and distractions but for serious minded people. Information should not be manipulated or distorted as Nigerians know what is happening in the Senate and can’t be deceived again.

“The governor is a senator and knows what happened in the chamber. He has confidence in the Senate President Godswill Akpabio. He will carry this message to different levels as we all have to protect our institutions.”

The ragging battle for the soul of Edo State between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a dramatic turn, with the APC-run government accusing the PDP leadership of being the brain behind the menace of kidnapping ravaging the state.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, in a statement in Benin City on Tuesday averred that intelligence reports indicate the involvement of PDP leaders in recent kidnappings and violent crimes across the state.

He posited that the opposition PDP was sponsoring insecurity in Edo State as part of calculated efforts to undermine the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo.

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Itua described the PDP’s outcry over insecurity as “crocodile tears,” accusing them of deliberately orchestrating chaos while pretending to be concerned about public safety.

According to Itua, “The sudden concern expressed by PDP leaders is nothing but a smokescreen to divert attention from their own complicity. These are the same individuals who, during the 2024 governorship election, armed non-state actors with dangerous weapons, many of which were never recovered. Today, those weapons are in the hands of criminals terrorizing innocent Edo citizens.”

He added that the PDP’s strategy was to create an atmosphere of fear, spread misinformation, and discredit the current administration.

“Their goal is clear — destabilize the state, weaken public confidence in Governor Okpebholo’s leadership, and push a false narrative of failure. But Edo people can see through these antics,” Itua stated.

He revealed that the state government has called on security agencies, including the Nigeria Police, to launch a thorough investigation into the alleged involvement of PDP leaders in the rising wave of kidnappings and armed violence.

“No individual or political group should be allowed to hold the state hostage for political gain. Those found culpable must face the full wrath of the law,” he added.

Gov Okpebholo’s administration reaffirmed its commitment to tackling insecurity and ensuring the protection of lives and property. The government urged Edo residents to remain vigilant and not fall for what it described as the PDP’s “deceptive tactics.”

Itua pointed out that “Insecurity thrives when its perpetrators believe they are untouchable. It is time for security agencies to prove them wrong.”

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa remains the duly elected leader of Ondo State after an appeal challenging his victory in the November 16, 2024, gubernatorial election was dismissed.

The case, brought forward by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Mr. Agboola Ajayi, was thrown out by the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Ajayi had sought to disqualify Aiyedatiwa over allegations that his running mate, Dr. Olayide Owolabi, submitted inconsistent documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

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He argued that some certificates bore “Jackson” as the deputy governor’s middle name, while others had “Owolabi,” with no official record of a name change.

However, the apex court ruled that a documented name change does not amount to electoral fraud.

It found evidence confirming that Owolabi had used “Jackson” during his secondary school years before formally changing it.

Additionally, the court ruled that Ajayi lacked the locus standi to challenge the election, as he had filed the case after the legal time limit.

The suit, which stemmed from nomination forms submitted on May 20, 2024, was only taken to the Federal High Court on June 7, exceeding the 14-day window allowed by law.

As a result, the Supreme Court upheld the decisions of the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court, dismissing the case and imposing a ₦2 million cost on Ajayi, payable to each of the four respondents.

Reacting to the judgment, the Ondo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, described it as a victory for democracy and due process.

“As I have stated previously, the courtroom is a battleground for legal reasoning, and every advocate who argues a case contributes to strengthening our democracy,” Ajulo said.

He emphasized that the ruling had effectively put an end to the prolonged legal battle over Aiyedatiwa’s election, reinforcing the legitimacy of the APC-led government in Ondo State.

“The decision solidifies the legitimacy of the APC-led government in Ondo State, closing the chapter on the prolonged political legal tussle,” he added.