‎The Senate has cautioned the suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, against attempting to forcibly return to her legislative duties on Tuesday.
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‎The warning was issued in a statement on Sunday by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu.
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‎Adaramodu maintained that there is no lawful court directive ordering her immediate reinstatement and affirmed that the Senate remains firmly committed to upholding due process and the rule of law.
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‎He said, “The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria wishes to reaffirm, for the third time, that there is no subsisting court order mandating the Senate to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before the expiration of her suspension.”
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‎The clarification came in response to media reports quoting the embattled lawmaker as saying she intended to resume her seat in the Senate on Tuesday, allegedly relying on a judgment delivered by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
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‎However, Adaramodu stated that the Senate had already released two public statements following the court’s decision and the issuance of the Certified True Copy of the enrolled order, both of which emphasized that the court did not issue any definitive or binding directive compelling the Senate to reinstate her.
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‎“Rather, the honourable court gave a non-binding advisory urging the Senate to consider amending its standing orders and reviewing the suspension, which it opined might be excessive.
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‎“The court, however, explicitly held that the Senate did not breach any law or constitutional provision in imposing the disciplinary measure based on the senator’s misconduct during plenary,” he said.
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‎The Senate also pointed out that the same court found Akpoti-Uduaghan in contempt and imposed sanctions, including a N5 million fine payable to the Federal Government, along with an order to publish an apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page, a directive she has reportedly failed to comply with.
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‎“It is, therefore, surprising and legally untenable that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, while on appeal and having filed a motion for stay against the valid and binding orders made against her, is attempting to act upon an imaginary order of recall that does not exist,” the Senate spokesman added.
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‎He cautioned that any attempt by the suspended lawmaker to forcibly enter the Senate next Tuesday under a false premise would be premature, disruptive, and a violation of legislative protocol.
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‎“The Senate will, at the appropriate time, consider the advisory opinion of the court on both amending the standing orders of the Senate, her recall, and communicate the same thereof to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
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‎“Until then, she is respectfully advised to stay away from the Senate chambers and allow due process to run its full course,” the statement concluded.
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‎The Lagos State Government on Sunday reaffirmed its commitment to upgrading and constructing resilient drainage systems to tackle flooding across the state.
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‎Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made this known during a media briefing following an inspection tour of the Lagos Island regeneration project and ongoing drainage works at Onikoyi, Banana Island, and Femi Pedro Avenue in Park View Estate. He stated that once the urban regeneration initiative is completed, it will effectively resolve flooding challenges across Lagos Island and surrounding areas.
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‎“We came to Lagos Island to see the level of compliance and the level of work that is being done by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, as well as the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA), in respect of the regeneration projects of Lagos Island and we are happy with the pace at which the projects are going,” he said.
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‎Wahab also assessed the ongoing Secondary Collector drain lining project near Gorodom Market and expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved so far.
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‎He and his team later visited Ikoyi as part of investigations into the recurring flash floods around Turnbull/Banana Island Road, where they discovered a blocked underground culvert near the Shoreline, off the Turnbull entrance.
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‎“The last heavy rain affected Banana Island Road into Turnbull and we have done remedial work and carried out an upgrade of the infrastructure,” he said.
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‎He explained that the level of development along Banana Island Road has exceeded the capacity of the existing tertiary drains, and the government may need to upgrade one of them to a secondary collector. This would enable it to channel water from Shoreline and Banana Island Road into the collector at Mojisola Onikoyi, and from there into the lagoon.
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‎The inspection team also visited two additional sites—Underbridge Idumagbo and the area beneath the Third Mainland Bridge along Oja Oba Street, off Adeniji Adele Road. Although enforcement had previously been carried out in these locations, traders had returned, prompting an immediate order for them to vacate the premises.
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‎He noted that the government had no intention of disrupting the economic activities of traders, but they had been repeatedly warned not to conduct business beneath major infrastructure. Despite this, they have continued operating there in defiance of the directive.
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‎He added that the Underbridge at Idumagbo was cleared of illegal structures earlier in the year, and traders were permitted to operate in a manner that would not obstruct drainage flow or compromise the area’s visual appeal.
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‎He emphasized that trading under critical infrastructure requires caution, posing a dilemma: should economic activity take precedence over safety, environmental concerns, and security?
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‎He further stated that if traders wish to resume operations, the process must be properly regulated and must not involve using space under bridges. He warned that if an incident were to occur, the public would blame the government for negligence, even though citizens also have a duty to follow the rules.
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‎“We are saying we won’t disrupt your lifestyle, your commercial activities, but in a very organised way, you can do your trading. But what we met here today is not organised. So, we are going to close the space and ask for a layout on how they want to organise themselves.”
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‎He stated that some individuals had expressed interest in converting the Underbridge areas into parks, and the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) had already provided them with design guidelines. He emphasized that traders must vacate the area immediately, as it will soon be sealed off.
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‎Wahab and his team then moved to Parkview Estate to inspect the ongoing drainage projects, which are designed to channel stormwater from Femi Pedro Avenue into the lagoon. He noted that the contractor is expected to complete the work within the next 90 days.
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‎“We had to come so we can see for ourselves the level of work and see what the contractors have done over time. We are satisfied with this major project, which is a discharging point for Parkview,” he added.
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‎He emphasized that as a coastal state, Lagos is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels, extreme heat, and heavy rainfall. He stressed the need for the government to take preventive measures by ensuring that human activities do not obstruct drainage systems.
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‎Former Deputy Governor Femi Pedro also expressed deep appreciation to the government for the improved drainage infrastructure in Parkview Estate.
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‎He noted that the secondary collector drains along Olufemi Pedro Avenue and in Agodogba Estate have been significantly enlarged and deepened, adding that the upgrades would effectively eliminate flooding problems in the area.
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‎“Residents of Parkview Estate should be rest assured that this project would proffer a lasting solution to flooding in this area when delivered in three months’ time. We, the residents too, would ensure we take ownership of it.”
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‎The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has threatened to suspend medical services nationwide if the Federal Government does not meet its demands before the 21-day ultimatum expires on Wednesday, July 23.
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‎NMA President, Professor Bala Audu, delivered the warning in an exclusive interview on Sunday, asserting that the association is fully ready to take firm action if the situation demands it. He stressed that the demands are crucial for preserving the nation’s healthcare system and safeguarding the well-being of medical professionals.
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‎The ultimatum, issued on July 2, was a response to a contentious circular from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), which outlined revised allowances for medical and dental officers in the federal service. The NMA condemned the circular as a violation of existing agreements and called for its immediate withdrawal, along with other conditions.
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‎“We have made our position clear,” Prof Audu said. “The ultimatum ends on July 23, and if the Federal Government does not address our demands, we may have no choice but to proceed with a strike.”
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‎He stated that the circular’s provisions were unilaterally imposed and compromised both the earnings and overall welfare of doctors.
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‎“We have rejected that circular outright,” he said. “We expect that any new directive affecting our members should be the outcome of mutual consultation, not something imposed.”
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‎Prof Audu disclosed that the NMA had engaged in talks with senior government officials, including the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate; the Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Salako; and other key stakeholders. He noted that although the discussions were constructive, subsequent meetings were put on hold following the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari last week.
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‎“The minister appreciated our concerns and addressed the issues raised. A follow-up meeting was planned for last week, but due to the former president’s death, it was postponed. We now expect another meeting with the NSIWC, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Health before the deadline,” he said.
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‎As the deadline draws near, Prof Audu stressed that the association can no longer tolerate further delays.
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‎“We expect that after the funeral ceremonies, government stakeholders will reconvene with us, hopefully by Monday. Otherwise, the 21-day ultimatum still stands. If the government fails to prioritise this matter, a strike may be inevitable.”
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‎In a related development, the Katsina State chapter of the NMA has firmly rejected the contentious circular issued by the NSIWC.
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‎In a communiqué released after its State Executive Council meeting on Saturday, the branch voiced “grave disappointment” and offered an “unequivocal condemnation” of the circular. It also called for the immediate reversal of the directive and the full implementation of the NMA’s demands.
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‎The statement, signed by the Katsina NMA Chairman, Dr Muhammadu Sani, and Secretary, Dr Yahya Salisu, cautioned that inaction could result in disruptions to healthcare services.
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‎“NMA Katsina State branch hereby rejects the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission’s (NSIWC) circular (SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646) dated 27th June, 2025 on review of allowances for medical/dental officers in the federal public service and demands urgent government withdrawal action and fulfillment of all the demands,” the communique read.
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‎Despite the rain, a group of retired police officers staged a protest on Monday at the main gate of the National Assembly in Abuja.
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‎Their demonstration centered on a demand to be removed from the Contributory Pension Scheme.
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‎The protesters, mostly elderly former police personnel, carried placards and sang solidarity songs in the rain, asserting that their welfare and dignity had long been ignored.
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‎Addressing the gathering, retired Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP Manir Lawal, urged the government to withdraw police retirees from the pension scheme, which he criticised as exploitative and unfair.
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‎He said, ” We are here to ask the government to remove us from the CPS. The pension scheme is exploitative and unjust.
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‎“I am 67 years old. Many of us here are in our 60s and 70s. We have served this country faithfully and deserve to retire in dignity. This scheme has impoverished us. It is our right to demand better,” he said.
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‎The pension protest by retired police officers continued in Abuja.
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‎Undeterred by the rain, the retirees remained resolute, declaring they would not disperse until the National Assembly leadership responded to their demands.
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‎Security personnel were present at the scene, closely observing the protest to maintain peace and order.
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