Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, on Wednesday dismissed claims suggesting any move to impeach Senate President Godswill Akpabio, describing such reports as unfounded and capable of sowing confusion within the upper chamber.

Bamidele’s clarification followed comments by former Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North), who on Tuesday revealed that there had been past, though unsuccessful, attempts by some senators to unseat Akpabio.

Kalu, while speaking with journalists at the National Assembly, had said that efforts to destabilise the Senate leadership failed after key members intervened to preserve unity in the chamber.

He urged lawmakers to focus on legislative stability and national cohesion rather than political scheming.

However, addressing the issue during plenary, Bamidele made it clear that there was never any plan or discussion among senators to remove the Senate President.

“There was no attempt by any of our colleagues, nor any discussion on the possibility of removing the Senate President. We are totally united and have adopted a zero-tolerance policy for distractions because there are urgent matters of national importance demanding our attention. Reports like that are meant to create confusion,” Bamidele said.

“The Senate is stable. There is no crisis, no plan to remove anyone. Our attention is on issues that directly affect Nigerians.”

Bamidele’s rebuttal comes less than 24 hours after Kalu told journalists that some lawmakers had previously attempted to remove Akpabio but were prevailed upon to drop the plan.

“Though there were attempts, we didn’t allow that to happen. That is why I always say we are one big family, and it is not going to happen,” Kalu said.

The former Abia State governor maintained that the Senate’s priority is to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges through people-centred legislation.

“Whatever the problem is, the Senate is more interested in making laws that will help President Tinubu overcome the economic difficulties our people are going through.

“We are more interested in the people. The legislation we are making is pro-people, and we are focused on ensuring Nigerians can eat three times a day,” he added.

Kalu also touched on political developments in the South-East, hinting that Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, may soon join the All Progressives Congress.

“I think after all the court cases, he is a progressive like myself, President Tinubu, and the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, as well as the governors of Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu, and other APC governors.

“So, Soludo is a progressive. I don’t see anything wrong with him joining us. In fact, it is confirmed that he will join the APC. He has no other alternative than to come and join us,” Kalu said.

The latest controversy revives memories of October 2024, when speculation of a northern senator’s plot to unseat Akpabio forced the chamber to pass a vote of confidence in his leadership.

At the time, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North) distanced the Northern Senators’ Forum from any such plan, warning that “those pushing such narratives were undermining the progress of our democracy.”

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The Kogi State House of Assembly on Wednesday suspended the Chairman of Ibaji Local Government Area, Emmanuel Onuche, over alleged gross misconduct.

The Speaker of the House, Aliyu Yusuf, announced the suspension during Wednesday’s plenary.

Onuche was alleged to have undertaken actions capable of tarnishing the image of the state government and was asked to step aside pending an investigation into the allegations.

The local government chairman has been directed to hand over the affairs of the council to his deputy, Mrs Victoria Okolo, until the conclusion of the probe.

According to the lawmakers, an effective investigation into the allegations against the embattled chairman will not be possible if he remains in office.

Consequently, the Speaker constituted a five-member committee, headed by Hon. Bode Ogunmola, member representing Ogori-Magongo, to investigate the allegations against Onuche.

The House gave the committee one month to complete its assignment and report back for necessary action.

Other members of the committee include Hon. Ishaya Omotayo Adeleye (Ijumu), Hon. Asema Baba Haruna (Adavi), Anthony Ujah (Olamaboro), and Hon. Bin-Ebaiya Shehu Tijani (Lokoja 1), with Muhammed Bello serving as clerk of the committee.

Meanwhile, three members of the Kogi House of Assembly defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) during Wednesday’s plenary.

The defectors are Bode Ogunmola (PDP – Ogori/Magongo), Idowu Ibikunle (ADC – Yagba East), and Sunday Daku (PDP – Bassa).

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President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday charged Nigerian editors to uphold integrity and fairness in their reportage, describing responsible journalism as essential to sustaining democracy and national cohesion.

Speaking at the opening of the Nigerian Guild of Editors’ Annual Conference held at the State House, Abuja, on Wednesday, Tinubu said the media must continue to act as a stabilising force in a rapidly changing information environment.

“The freedom secured through struggle is not self-sustaining. It requires constant vigilance and responsible exercise.

“A democracy is sustained not only by elections and laws, but also by the integrity of public conversation,” he stated.

The conference, themed “Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors,” brought together editors, senior journalists and policymakers to reflect on how the media can strengthen unity amid national challenges.

Tinubu commended the Nigerian press for its historical role in advancing justice and democracy, recalling how journalists “endured intimidation, detention, and personal hardship in defence of the public good.”

He, however, cautioned that the digital age has amplified misinformation, making the editorial function more critical than ever.

The president urged editors to be constructive in their criticism of government policies while maintaining fairness and accuracy.

He urged, “As editors and managers of the national information space, you shape narratives. You influence public understanding. You decide what becomes national focus and how our collective challenges are interpreted. The weight of that responsibility is significant. It must be exercised with wisdom, fairness and a strong sense of national duty.

“Nigeria is a large and diverse country. Debate and differences are part of our reality. However, disagreement must never translate into the erosion of national cohesion. Criticism, when informed and constructive, is a service to the nation. But cynicism that breeds mistrust and despair can weaken the very foundations of the society we all seek to improve. The national interest must always remain paramount.

“We live in a time when information travels rapidly and widely. Social media has made every citizen a potential publisher. This has benefits, but it also increases the speed and scale of misinformation.

“Falsehood can take root before truth has time to speak. In such an environment, the editorial function is more important than ever. Verification must be your anchor; balance must be your principle and professional judgement must be your guide.

“I urge you, therefore, to continue upholding the highest standards of journalism. Report boldly, but do so truthfully. Critique government policy but do so with knowledge and fairness. Your aim must never be to tear down, but to help build a better society.”

Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to economic reforms aimed at long-term stability and prosperity.

“On our part, this administration remains committed to securing our nation, sustaining economic stability and widening the circle of opportunity for all citizens.

“The reforms we have undertaken have been challenging, but they are designed to place our economy on a strong and enduring footing.

“We have taken steps to restore macroeconomic balance, encourage investment and rebuild confidence. The signs of progress are visible in several sectors of the economy. Still, we know there is more work to do, and we remain focused on ensuring that growth translates into real improvements in the daily lives of Nigerians,” he said.

He called for collaboration among the government, the private sector, civil society, and the media to advance national unity.

“However, economic reforms and institutional improvements alone cannot build the Nigeria we seek. Nation-building requires cooperation.

” It requires trust. It requires a shared understanding that our future is tied together. The government has its role. The private sector has its role. Civil society has its role. And the media has a distinct responsibility to help shape a climate of reason and unity,” he urged.

He, however, reminded the editors that their influence extends beyond headlines.

He added, “Distinguished Editors, your work matters. The tone you set in your newsrooms, the standards you enforce, and the courage with which you defend the truth will all help shape the direction of our national journey. Let us carry this responsibility with purpose.”

Tinubu’s call came amid growing concern over the spread of misinformation and the erosion of public trust in the media.

In July, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, voiced similar concerns, warning that fake news, misinformation, and disinformation were fast becoming threats to Nigeria’s stability.

Speaking through his Chief of Staff, Aminu Gamawa, at the third Lateef Jakande Annual Memorial Lecture organised by the NGE, Mohammed compared today’s digital challenges to the era of press suppression under colonial and military regimes.

“The digital age has opened the floodgates of information and misinformation. Social media has democratised speech but also diluted truth. Artificial intelligence now creates headlines, but who checks the heart behind them?” he asked.

The governor lamented that editorial independence was increasingly under pressure, as some media houses were tempted to trade truth for the financial influence of politicians and corporate interests seeking to control public narratives.

Similarly, Idris, represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, warned that unchecked fake news could ignite social unrest, stressing that the spread of falsehood was “a ticking bomb that could set the nation ablaze.”