Alleged defamation: You’ve three days to apologise or be sued – Akpabio warns Pearse.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has threatened to sue a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos state, Adetokunbo Pearse, over what he described as false and defamatory statements made against him during a live broadcast on Arise Television.

Akpabio, in a demand letter dated October 7, 2025, and signed by his legal representatives, S. I. Ameh (SAN) & Co., alleged that Pearse made reckless and malicious comments intended to damage his reputation.

He ordered Pearse to issue a public apology and retraction within three days or face legal proceedings for defamation and criminal incitement.

The letter, titled “Demand for Immediate Retraction and Public Apology for Defamatory Publication Against Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON,” stated that during a political segment on Arise TV on October 4, 2025, Pearse made unsubstantiated allegations of corruption, manipulation, and criminality against the Senate President.

“If we get more women in the National Assembly and we have a Senate President like Akpabio, what is the point?

“The National Assembly we have now is a rubber-stamp assembly. Any president who wants to manipulate it can do so. And this one is actually manipulating it to the detriment of progress for Nigerians.

“Akpabio should not be President of the Senate. He’s a criminal; he shouldn’t be there. He has cases in the EFCC, millions that he stole when he was governor… If he has criminal cases, let him go and answer them. There’s no way a man like that should be there in the first place,” Pearse had said.

The Senate President’s legal team described the comments as false in every material particular, stating that the remarks were made with total disregard for the truth and in bad faith.

They argued that the statements were intended to portray their client as a corrupt and dishonest politician, thereby exposing him to public ridicule and hatred.

Court Adjourns Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Cybercrime Trial to October 20.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the cybercrime trial of suspended Kogi Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to October 20, 2025, after her defence team challenged the court’s jurisdiction.
She faces six charges under the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2024, over statements allegedly implicating Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Governor Yahaya Bello in threats to her life.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the cybercrime trial of suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, to October 20, 2025, after her defence team challenged the court’s jurisdiction.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, arraigned on June 30 and granted bail on self-recognition, faces a six-count charge under the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2024.

One of the counts alleged: “That on or about April 1, 2025, while addressing a crowd at Ihima Community, Kogi State, you — Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan — intentionally caused the following communication to be transmitted via a computer system and network, to wit: ‘…and Akpabio told Yahaya Bello, I am saying, standing by what I have said. He told him that he should make sure that killing me does not happen in Abuja, it should be done here, so it will seem as if it is the people that killed me here…’ And you… knew this contained a threat that could harm the reputation of Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, as the President of the Senate…”

Another charge stated the same words but linked the alleged threat to “Yahaya Adoza Bello, a former Governor of Kogi State.”

At Monday’s sitting, prosecuting counsel David Kaswe announced readiness to proceed, saying the first witness was present and a television screen mounted in court. But Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), objected, arguing it was an abuse of the Attorney-General’s powers and that the defence had not been served witness statements.

Justice Mohammed Umar ruled that the objection must first be resolved before trial, and adjourned the case to October 20.

Peter Obi Slams National Honours Culture, Says Nigeria Should Celebrate Productivity, Not Politics

Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called for a bold reform in Nigeria’s national honours system, urging the government to shift recognition from politicians to productive citizens and entrepreneurs.

Speaking at the unveiling of The Chronicles of a Legend, a biography of business mogul Gabriel Igbinedion, Obi said prestigious honours like GCFR and GCON should be reserved for individuals driving employment, innovation, and development, not political figures.

> "We celebrate the wrong people. National honours should go to entrepreneurs like Chief Igbinedion who have created thousands of jobs, built institutions, and contributed to national growth," Obi stated.


Citing Igbinedion's achievements in aviation, education, and cultural heritage, Obi emphasized that Nigeria must start rewarding those building the nation—not just those in power.

His remarks follow rising public debate over the lavish rewards given to sports stars, while key sectors like education, health, and security remain underappreciated.

#PeterObi #NationalHonours #RewardProductivity #NigeriaNeedsReform #CelebrateEntrepreneurs #Igbinedion #GCFR #GCON

Senator David Mark’s First Speech As ADC Acting National Chairman.

Former Senate President David Mark has been officially appointed as the acting National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Naija News reports that Mark was appointed at a meeting of the opposition coalition held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua centre Abuja on Wednesday.

After his official appointment in acting capacity, David Mark addressed Nigerians on the new opposition party.

Read Mark’s full speech below:

ADOPTION OF AFRICAN DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS (ADC).

SPEECH BY SENATOR DAVID MARK, GCON
Chairman, The National Coalition of Political Opposition Movement in Nigeria.

My fellow Compatriots,

We are gathered here this afternoon in pursuit of our shared mission to rescue our country and save our hard-won democracy. We address you formally, today on the operational focus and structure of the new political coalition that brings together Nigeria’s diverse opposition groups, political parties, youth organisations, the civil society and other patriots from all corners of our vast land, committed to saving the very soul of our Republic.

Let it be known to all, that this coalition of national political opposition groups goes beyond gaining political power. It is a concerted effort to rebuild the crumbling pillars of Nigeria’s democracy.

Today marks the beginning of what we believe would be a long, difficult and tedious journey. However, it is a journey that we are prepared to undertake, united in our collective belief that no price or sacrifice is too high in the service of our fatherland.

It is on record that within two years of the current administration coming to power, we have observed with absolute dismay the hijack of all democratic institutions, and a creeping descent into total civilian dictatorship. The blatant destabilisation and infiltration of all major opposition political parties is aimed at achieving only one objective, to enhance total state capture and leave Nigerians with no alternative or options come 2027. This coalition is to prevent our country’s descent into a one party state.

PRESIDENT TINUBU HONOURS WOLE SOYINKA WITH GCON AWARD

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred the prestigious national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka.

The announcement was made during the president’s Democracy Day address to a joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday in Abuja.

Professor Soyinka is a renowned playwright, poet, and human rights advocate.