Embattled Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has strongly refuted reports suggesting that she apologized to the Nigerian Senate over the controversy surrounding her suspension.

In a statement released on Monday, March 24, 2025, the lawmaker described the claims as “false and misleading,” emphasizing her unwavering stance on the matter.

“The reports alleging that I have apologized to the Senate and retracted my position are entirely untrue. I stand firmly by my words and actions. I have not issued any apology to the Senate or anyone regarding this issue,” Akpoti-Uduaghan declared.

The senator criticized those spreading the false narratives, accusing them of deliberately twisting facts to mislead the public.

Suspended for six months following a disagreement with Senate leadership, she reiterated her commitment to defending the rights of her constituents and maintaining her integrity.

“This is not merely about me; it is about safeguarding our democracy’s integrity. I will not be intimidated or forced into submission through false narratives,” she stated, urging the public to disregard misleading reports.

Akpoti-Uduaghan also expressed concerns about a coordinated effort to silence her voice in the National Assembly, reaffirming her dedication to truth and justice despite challenges.

“I urge the public to disregard these rumors and publications as they do not represent my position. My commitment remains to truth, justice, and the people I represent,” she said.

She urged her constituents and Nigerians to remain vigilant against misinformation, emphasizing that any official statement from her would only come from her verified channels.

“I appreciate the support and solidarity of my people. Rest assured, I will continue to fight for what is right and just,” she said.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has assured that President Bola Tinubu will end the state of emergency in Rivers State as soon as stability is restored.

In an interview with The Nation newspaper, Idris stated that Tinubu remains committed to reinstating democratic governance in the state.

“As soon as he assesses that sanity has returned to Rivers State, he will ensure the restoration of all democratic structures in that state,” he said.

He further emphasized the urgency of the situation, adding that “the president will not wait a minute longer than necessary.”

Dismissing speculations about hidden motives behind the emergency declaration, Idris maintained that the decision was made purely in the interest of restoring order.

“The president has no intention whatsoever to take over the governance of Rivers State. He has no intention to be or to appoint a governor for Rivers State,” he said.

According to the minister, the breakdown of governance in Rivers necessitated the president’s intervention. He described the action as “a very responsible but very painful” decision made “in line with constitutional provisions.”

“The way democracy is designed in this country is that the three arms of government must work together, and one will be checking the other,” Idris explained.

“So, we cannot have just the executive functioning and say we have a functional democracy. We didn’t have that, and therefore, the president had to act.”

The emergency rule, declared last week, led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the state assembly, with retired naval chief Ibok-Ete Ibas appointed as the sole administrator

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has reiterated its call on President Bola Tinubu to restore Governor Siminalayi Fubara back to his elected position as Rivers State governor without further delay.

Last Tuesday, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and followed it up with the suspension of the elected governor of the state, his deputy and all the members of the House of Assembly over the political crisis rocking the oil-rich state.

The President appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired naval chief, as the state’s sole administrator. Immediately after the move, the NBA released a statement saying the President lacked such powers to suspend democratically elected officials. According to the NBA the removal of Fubara by Tinubu is unconstitutional.

Following up with its earlier statement, the NBA President, Afam Osigwe, insisted that Fubara must be brought back to his position as the governor of Rivers State as the constitution does not recognize a Sole Administrator.

“That is our belief, that is what we expect the president to do, to restore him (Fubara) back to power having unconstitutionally removed him,” Afam Osigwe told Channels Television, Sunday night, March 23 when asked if the president should recall the governor.”

“And that is why we do not recognise that a sole administrator is the rightful person to occupy the government house in Rivers State having been appointed unconstitutionally.

“Even when I saw him taking the oath of office, I was wondering which oath he was taking because he was taking an oath not known to the constitution, the constitution does not recognise an administrator,” he said.

Osigwe pointed out that the problem in Rivers State is being cured with a wrong solution, likening it to one using a sledgehammer on his head because of headache.

He said the measures being taken to address the Rivers problem “are overreaching, extensive, undemocratic and above all, unconstitutional.”

He maintained that the problem in Rivers State is political and only a political solution will bring it to an end.

“I do not believe that it (Section 305) is not explicit, I simply believe that we deliberately refuse to apply it the way it is,” Osigwe said

Osigwe also does not believe that the national assembly approval legitimized the President’s action saying the National Assembly’s approval is like placing something on nothing.