Politics - Women Times

Minister David Umahi Denies Deploying Police Over Alleged Campaign Debt Dispute

by Women Times on February 26, 2026

By Prosper Mene

The Minister of Works and former Governor of Ebonyi State, Senator David Umahi, has firmly denied allegations that he deployed police officers to harass or intimidate a woman over an unpaid campaign debt.

The denial follows viral social media claims, including a confrontation involving activist Omoyele Sowore at the FCT Police Command in Abuja. Mrs. Tracy Ohiri, a businesswoman, has accused the minister of owing her a substantial sum, reportedly around ₦200-250 million for campaign materials supplied during Umahi’s 2015 governorship election in Ebonyi State. She further alleged that the debt remained unpaid partly due to her rejecting personal advances from him, and claimed police action against her came from her public demands for payment.

In a statement issued on Thursday through his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, Umahi rejected the accusations as “false and misleading.” He emphasized that he did not personally deploy the police to settle any personal score or civil matter.

“Contrary to the misleading narrative being pushed by Sowore, the Honourable Minister did not deploy the police to settle any personal score,” the statement read. “The Nigeria Police Force, acting within its constitutional mandate to maintain law and order and investigate complaints, acted on a petition submitted by the minister’s lawyer, arrested her, and invited the Honourable Minister in line with standard procedure for statements.”

Umahi described Ohiri’s claims as inconsistent, contradictory, and lacking coherence, noting that the matter had been under police investigation following a formal legal petition. He insisted no harassment or victimization occurred, and that police involvement followed due process in response to what his team views as damaging and unverified public allegations.

The incident gained prominence after a viral video showed Sowore confronting Umahi at the police headquarters, accusing him of using security agencies to resolve a private civil dispute. Sowore described the police actions as turning the issue into a “criminal spectacle” and labeled the encounter as part of efforts to address alleged intimidation.

The dispute, which appears to date back over a decade, has sparked widespread online debate, with some Nigerians questioning the use of police resources in what many describe as a civil debt matter, while others call for both parties to resolve it through proper legal channels.

As of now, the police have invited both parties for statements, and the case remains under investigation. Neither side has indicated immediate plans for civil litigation over the alleged debt.

News Politics

FCT Area Council Elections: Senator Ireti Kingibe Condemns Minister Wike’s Imposed Curfew as ‘Authoritarian’

by Women Times on February 20, 2026

By Prosper Mene

Senator Ireti Kingibe, the representative of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the National Assembly, has sharply criticized FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over the imposition of a curfew and movement restrictions ahead of Saturday’s area council elections.

In a special broadcast on national television and radio stations on Thursday, Minister Wike declared Friday a work-free day across the FCT to facilitate preparations for the polls. He further announced severe restrictions on human and vehicular movement from 8 p.m. on Friday until 6 p.m. on Saturday, effectively creating a roughly 22-hour lockdown in the nation’s capital.

Reacting swiftly, Senator Kingibe, in a statement released on Friday through her Special Assistant on Media, Matilda Duncan, described the measure as “authoritarian, ill-considered, and unacceptable in a democratic society.” She argued that the unilateral decision, made without broad consultation with key stakeholders represents “a direct affront to democratic governance and the constitutional rights of residents.”

The senator emphasized that while maintaining law and order is important, security concerns cannot justify such “executive overreach.” She noted that the FCT has no apparent serious security threats warranting the restriction, pointing out that this is the first time in the capital’s history that such a sweeping curfew has been imposed for a local election.

“People do not understand the reason for this restriction. Many residents have various activities and responsibilities in the evening, and such a curfew unnecessarily limits their freedom in a democratic society,” Kingibe stated. She highlighted the negative impact on small businesses and the broader economy, warning that residents’ rights, freedoms, and economic well-being should not be compromised by arbitrary actions.

Kingibe has called on Minister Wike to immediately review and suspend the curfew, stressing that FCT residents are citizens of a democratic republic, not subjects under authoritarian rule.

The development comes amid preparations for the area council polls, which are seen as a test of electoral readiness ahead of future national exercises. Critics have raised concerns about the measure’s proportionality, while supporters of the minister’s directive argue it aims to ensure peaceful voting.

As the elections approach on Saturday, February 21, 2026, all eyes remain on whether the restrictions will proceed as announced or face further pushback from stakeholders.

News Health Politics

Oby Ezekwesili Shows Up at National Assembly Protest, Says Senate’s Trying to Make Election Rigging Easier

by Women Times on February 17, 2026

By Prosper Mene

Former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili was right there with the protesters today outside the National Assembly gates in Abuja, making it clear she’s not letting this slide. The crowd has been out for days now, pushing hard for the Electoral Act Amendment Bill to lock in mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results, no ifs, no buts.

Ezekwesili, who’s never one to mince words, told journalists straight up that the Senate is pushing an “ambiguous” clause that basically hands INEC the power to decide when or if results get uploaded electronically. She said: “If the Senate gets away with a provision that is ambiguous, that gives power of discretion to determine the ifs and the buts, instead of making the clause mandatory, that every vote must count in this country, then we are weakening the core principle of electoral transparency.”

She’s calling it what a lot of people are thinking: this could open the door wide for manipulation before 2027. The only way votes actually count, she stressed, is if transmission is compulsory and happens in real time from every polling unit straight to the IReV portal.

She wasn’t alone, former Sports Minister Solomon Dalung and activist Omoyele Sowore were also there, along with groups like Situation Room, ActionAid, and labour folks under the Movement for Credible Elections. The protesters want the House version of the bill to win out in the end, because it reportedly keeps e-transmission mandatory, while the Senate seems ready to water it down or make it optional.

This comes right after the Senate already cut the time for INEC to publish election notices and rejected mandatory real-time uploads earlier this month. People are calling it everything from a “coup against democracy” to straight-up “programming rigging into law.”

Ezekwesili put it bluntly: the fight is about whether our votes will count or not. With 2027 not far off, the pressure’s on the lawmakers to sort this out without killing the transparency most Nigerians are demanding.

News Politics

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Demands Urgent Action on Niger Delta Oil Spill Cleanups

by Women Times on February 10, 2026

By Prosper Mene

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has called for decisive federal intervention to address the persistent environmental crisis caused by oil spills in the Niger Delta, grilling the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, over the slow pace of remediation efforts.

During a joint budget defence session for the marine transport sector on Tuesday, February 10, the senator highlighted the devastating long-term impact of oil exploration on the region. She pointed out that Nigeria has recorded over 7,000 oil spills since commercial oil production began in 1958, describing the situation as one that should have been resolved through existing policies and interventions.

“The Niger Delta region has been severely impacted, and although some cleanup measures have been undertaken, our farmers and fishermen have borne the greatest burden,” Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan stated. She emphasized the human and economic toll, noting that local communities continue to suffer from polluted water sources, destroyed farmlands, and depleted fisheries, undermining livelihoods in coastal areas central to Nigeria’s blue economy aspirations.

Directing her questions at Minister Oyetola, the lawmaker sought clarity on the ministry’s engagement with International Oil Companies (IOCs), particularly Shell, to enforce effective cleanup operations.

“My question to you, Honourable Minister, is this: how have you, in your capacity as Minister of the Blue Economy, engaged the various IOCs, especially Shell, to ensure that oil-spill cleanup activities in the region are actually carried out?” she asked.

The inquiry comes amid ongoing concerns about environmental degradation in the oil-rich Niger Delta, where spills have contaminated ecosystems, posing risks to public health, biodiversity, and sustainable development. Despite initiatives like the UNEP-recommended Ogoni cleanup and various government policies, critics argue that progress remains inadequate, with many sites still polluted decades after incidents.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s intervention underscores growing legislative pressure for accountability from oil operators and stronger federal oversight to protect vulnerable communities and align environmental remediation with national economic goals in the marine and blue economy sectors.

The session points to calls for justice in the Niger Delta, where affected residents and activists have long demanded full restoration, compensation, and preventive measures against future spills.

The senator’s demand highlights the need to balance resource extraction with environmental sustainability and community welfare.

News Politics

Former ADC National Woman Leader, Hon. Kayauta Yakubu, Defects to Ruling APC

by Women Times on February 10, 2026

By Prosper Mene

Hon. Kayauta Yakubu, the former National Woman Leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigeria’s ruling party.

The defection ceremony took place on Tuesday at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja. Yakubu was officially received into the party by the APC National Woman Leader, Dr. Mary Alile-Idele, in the presence of her supporters, political associates, and the APC Chairman for Kuje Area Council, Alhaji Adamu Danladi Ibrahim.

Speaking on behalf of the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, Dr. Alile-Idele welcomed Yakubu, describing her move as joining “a growing and forward-moving political platform.” She highlighted the APC’s openness to Nigerians committed to national development and praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for reforms in infrastructure, empowerment programs, and initiatives like the NELFUND student loan scheme, which has enhanced access to higher education.

Alile-Idele emphasized the party’s expanding membership as a sign of public confidence and urged others to join what she called “a moving train,” contrasting it with what she described as a “sinking ship” in Yakubu’s former party. She noted Yakubu’s influence, particularly among women, and expressed expectations for her active contribution ahead of future elections.

In her address, Hon. Kayauta Yakubu, a Kuje-born politician from Rubochi Ward in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), explained that her decision stemmed from her positive assessment of governance and development under the APC-led administration, particularly in areas like security and infrastructure.

“I decided to join the APC because I have seen the governance and progress of the administration… I felt I was wasting my time in my former party, so I chose to join this movement and contribute my quota,” she said. Yakubu stressed that the move was voluntary and driven by a desire to serve her people and support national growth. She added that the APC was not new to her, as she had been part of the party during its merger formation before leaving earlier.

The defection underscores ongoing political realignments in Nigeria’s political landscape.

Yakubu’s return to the APC, where she reportedly had prior ties, has been hailed by party leaders as a strategic gain for the ruling party.

News Politics

Trump Praises Nigeria’s First Lady Oluremi Tinubu as ‘Very Respected Woman’ at U.S. National Prayer Breakfast

by Women Times on February 5, 2026

By Prosper Mene

President Donald Trump publicly acknowledged and praised Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during his remarks at the 74th Annual National Prayer Breakfast held today at the Washington Hilton.

In a moment that drew applause from attendees, President Trump highlighted the Nigerian First Lady’s presence and commended her dual roles as a national leader and a faith figure. “We’re honoured to be joined today by the First Lady of Nigeria, who also happens to serve as a Christian pastor at the largest church in Nigeria. A very respected woman,” Trump said, scanning the audience. “First Lady, please, where are you? Thank you very much. It’s a great honour. Thank you very much. Very respected person, too.”

The recognition underscored Senator Tinubu’s prominence as an ordained assistant pastor with a significant pastoral background in one of Nigeria’s largest Pentecostal congregations, alongside her position as Nigeria’s First Lady. Reports indicate that President Trump invited her to stand or join him, emphasizing her influence in faith leadership amid the event’s focus on prayer, religious freedom, and interfaith dialogue.

The National Prayer Breakfast, an annual bipartisan gathering attended by U.S. lawmakers, religious leaders, and international guests, provided a platform for Trump’s broader remarks on faith in public life. The event comes as part of ongoing diplomatic engagements between the United States and Nigeria, highlighting shared values in religious liberty and Christian leadership.

Senator Tinubu’s attendance and the warm public recognition from President Trump have been widely celebrated in Nigerian media and on social platforms, with many viewing it as a boost to Nigeria’s international profile and a nod to the First Lady’s respected status both at home and abroad.

News Politics

‎APC 2026 Convention Committee discriminatory to women – Josef Onoh

by Women Times on February 3, 2026

By Prosper Mene

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has faced criticism over the composition of its 73-member Central Coordination Committee for the 2026 National Convention, with a prominent party figure accusing it of being “extremely discriminatory” toward women.

Denge Josef Onoh, Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly and former Southeast Spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, issued a statement condemning the near-total exclusion of women from the committee. He described the lineup as showing “glaring and extreme male domination,” noting that a review of the publicly released list revealed “virtually no women, or at best one or two, if any were inadvertently omitted.”

Onoh expressed disappointment despite commending the APC for its broader preparations toward the national convention, scheduled for March 25–28, 2026. The event will shape the party’s future direction, including candidate selection and policy priorities. He argued that this level of exclusion sends a troubling signal that women are being sidelined in the party’s most critical decision-making and planning structures.

The committee, constituted by the APC’s National Working Committee, is chaired by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, with Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as vice chairman and Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni as secretary. It includes serving and former governors, senators, National Assembly members, and other senior party leaders from across Nigeria.

News Politics

‎𝗜𝘆𝗮𝗯𝗼 𝗢𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗷𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗣𝗖, 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗲𝘅-𝗢𝗴𝘂𝗻 𝗟𝗚 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿 ‎

by Women Times on January 28, 2026

By Prosper Mene

Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, has reportedly registered as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State. The development, confirmed by political sources close to the family, occurred on Tuesday at Ibogun Ward 11 in Ifo Local Government Area.

Hon. Biodun Ajayi, a former chairman of Abeokuta South Local Government and a known associate of the Obasanjo family, made the disclosure to journalists. According to Ajayi, Prof. Obasanjo completed her online registration as a member of the ruling party during the ongoing membership drive.

A former House of Representatives member from the area, speaking anonymously, corroborated the registration, describing it as accurate. Efforts to obtain an official confirmation from the Ogun State APC leadership were unsuccessful, with the party’s Director of Publicity, Mr. Femi Nuberu, stating only that the membership registration remains open to all eligible Nigerians aged 18 and above, without directly addressing the specific claim.

The move has sparked significant speculation in Ogun State’s political circles, especially ahead of the 2027 general elections. Prof. Obasanjo, a former senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District (2007–2011) under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and ex-Commissioner for Health in Ogun State, has largely stayed out of active politics in recent years. However, her re-emergence follows the appearance of campaign-style billboards bearing her name and image in parts of Abeokuta late last year, with messages like “In Ogun State, we know ourselves. Sen (Prof) Iyabo Obasanjo. Omo wa ni, eniyan wa ni, ara wa ni.”

Political analysts note the surprise element in her reported alignment with the APC, given her father’s critical stance toward the party and his support for the Labour Party’s Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election. Observers had previously speculated she might return to the PDP or join the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a party associated with her father’s political influence in the past.

This development adds to the growing list of high-profile shifts in Ogun politics as various figures position themselves for future contests, including potential gubernatorial ambitions. No official statement has been issued by Prof. Obasanjo herself regarding her intentions or any political aspirations.

Politics

Anambra LP Commends Nenadi Usman’s Leadership After Federal High Court Ruling Affirming Caretaker Committee

by Women Times on January 22, 2026

By Prosper Mene

The Labour Party (LP) in Anambra State has praised Senator Esther Nenadi Usman’s leadership of the party’s national caretaker committee, describing a recent Federal High Court judgment as a triumph for justice, internal democracy, and the rule of law.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, following the ruling by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, the Anambra chapter hailed the decision that ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize the Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee as the legitimate leadership of the Labour Party.

The court, relying on the Supreme Court’s April 4, 2025, verdict, declared that Julius Abure’s tenure as national chairman had expired and affirmed Senator Usman, a former Minister of Finance, as the valid leader pending the party’s national convention. The judgment effectively set aside Abure’s claims and directed INEC to accord recognition solely to the caretaker committee.

Anambra LP Chairman, Comrade Ugochukwu Okoye, described the ruling as confirmation that the caretaker committee was both lawful and essential, stemming directly from the apex court’s earlier position on the party’s leadership crisis.

“History has shown once again that the Labour Party stands on the side of justice, and justice has prevailed,” Okoye stated. “This judgment reinforces our commitment to constitutionalism and paves the way for unity and progress within the party ahead of future elections.”

The leadership tussle in the Labour Party has been ongoing since 2024, triggered by internal disputes over tenure, party governance, and alleged anti-party activities. The crisis escalated after a stakeholders’ meeting, chaired by former presidential candidate Peter Obi and hosted by Abia State Governor Alex Otti in Umuahia, resolved to remove Abure and establish the caretaker committee.

Senator Usman, in reactions conveyed through her Special Adviser Ken Asogwa, welcomed the verdict as a broader victory for democracy, the Labour Party, and Nigerians—not a personal triumph. She urged all factions to embrace dialogue for reconciliation and peace.

The Abure-led faction has vowed to appeal the decision, arguing that the court misinterpreted the Supreme Court ruling and that the matter concerns internal party affairs.

This development is seen as potentially reshaping opposition dynamics in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections, with implications for party cohesion and alliances.

The Anambra chapter called on members and supporters to remain steadfast, assuring that the party would continue to prioritize justice, transparency, and grassroots mobilization under the recognized leadership.

News Politics Women in politics

Machado Vows to Become Venezuela’s First Female President ‘When the Right Time Comes’

by Women Times on January 16, 2026

By Prosper Mene

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has reaffirmed her determination to become president, declaring she will lead the country “when the right time comes,” even as the United States continues to engage with interim leader Delcy Rodríguez following the dramatic ousting of Nicolás Maduro.

In an interview with Fox News’s Fox & Friends broadcast on Friday, January 16, 2026, Machado expressed unwavering confidence in her future role. “There’s a mission, and we are going to turn Venezuela into that land of grace, and I believe I will be elected when the right time comes as president of Venezuela, the first woman president,” she said.

The 58-year-old opposition figure, who won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her advocacy for democracy amid years of persecution under the Maduro regime, made the comments shortly after a high-profile meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday. During that encounter, she presented Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize medal as a “personal symbol of gratitude” on behalf of the Venezuelan people, in recognition of what she described as his “principled and decisive action” to secure a free Venezuela.

Machado described the gesture as an emotional moment and insisted she has a clear mandate from the Venezuelan people, stemming from the opposition’s claims of victory in the widely disputed 2024 presidential elections. “I want to serve my country where I am more useful. I got a mandate, and I have that mandate,” she told Fox News.

The remarks comes after a complex and fluid political transition in Venezuela. On January 3, 2026, U.S. forces conducted a military operation in Caracas, capturing former President Nicolás Maduro and transferring him to New York to face charges related to drug trafficking and weapons. Maduro’s former vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, assumed the role of interim president.

Despite Machado’s prominence in the opposition and international recognition, including her Nobel award, President Trump has declined to fully endorse her as the next leader. He has cited concerns over her level of domestic support and referenced lessons from the U.S. experience in Iraq, where abrupt dismantling of institutions led to long-term instability. Instead, the Trump administration has pursued direct engagement with Rodríguez, including a two-hour meeting in Caracas on Friday between CIA Director John Ratcliffe and the interim president. Discussions focused on economic collaboration, ending Venezuela’s role as a safe haven for adversaries, and oil sector reforms allowing greater foreign investment.

Rodríguez, in her first state of the union address since taking office, emphasized diplomatic dialogue with the U.S., defended national dignity, and announced steps to open Venezuela’s oil industry, moves seen as aligning with American interests.

Machado has framed the current dynamics not as personal rivalry but as a broader struggle against remnants of a “criminal structure.” She expressed optimism about an “orderly transition” to democracy, predicting a future Venezuela that would become “the best ally the U.S. has ever had in the Americas.”

Her Washington visit also included meetings with U.S. senators, where supporters greeted her with chants of “María, presidente” and Venezuelan flags.

While Venezuela navigates this post-Maduro era, with ongoing deportations of Venezuelans from the U.S. and international scrutiny, the opposition leader’s vow underscores persistent divisions over the path to stable, democratic governance in the oil-rich nation.