Former USA President Barack Obama and former Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday, April 3, each delivered remarks on the state of the country under President Donald Trumps second term and criticized the administrations recent actions.Obama, who preceded Trumps first term, sharply criticized Trumps efforts to reshape the federal government, crackdown on immigration and dissent, and intimidate news outlets and the legal establishment. So, this is the first time Ive been speaking publicly for a while, Obama said during an on-stage interview at Hamilton College. Ive been watching for a little bit. Imagine if I had done any of this, Obama said, later adding: Its unimaginable that the same parties that are silent now would have tolerated behavior like that from me, or a whole bunch of my predecessors.Obama went on to say that he doesnt think Trumps new tariff announcement is going to be good for America. However, he said that he is more concerned with what he described as the White Houses infringement of rights.Im more deeply concerned with a federal government that threatens universities if they dont give up students who are exercising their right to free speech, Obama told the crowd of college students.The idea that a White House can say to law firms, if you represent parties that we dont like, were going to pull all our business or bar you from representing people effectively. Those kinds of that kind of behavior is contrary to the basic compact we have as Americans.In separate remarks, Harris on Thursday said Trumps moves since he returned to office were largely predictable.There were many things we knew would happen, Harris said in a video of her remarks at the Leading Women Defined Summit. Im not here to say I told you so, she added before laughing. Harris said she recognizes that Trumps return to the Oval Office has created a great sense of fear.We are seeing organizations stay quiet. We are seeing those who are capitulating to clearly unconstitutional threats. And these are the things that we are witnessing, each day in the last few months in our country and it understandably creates a great sense of fear, Harris said.Earlier this week, Trump announced a deal with the law firm that employs former second gentleman Doug Emhoff Willkie Farr & Gallagher which the president said includes the firm agreeing to provide at least $100 million in pro bono legal services throughout his second term. It was another example of firms cutting deals with the White House as Trump has targeted firms that have done work with his perceived political enemies.  Before the Willkie agreement was announced, Emhoff addressed the matter saying, The rule of law is under attack. Democracy is under attack. And so, all of us lawyers need to do what we can to push back on that. Harris Thursday remarks, video of which were first reported by MSNBC, are her most direct comments since the start of Trumps second term. The former US vice president, who lost to Trump in the November election, went on to say that while fear is contagious, so is courage.Fear has a way of being contagious. When one person has fear, it has a way of spreading to those around them and spreading. And we are witnessing that, no doubt, Harris said at the gathering of female leaders of color.But I say this also, my dear friends, courage is also contagious, she added  The post Obama and Harris publicly rebuke Trumps second term actions appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.

The lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has promised that the evidence of her sexual harassment claims against Senate President Godswill Akpabio will be released soon.

The embattled lawmaker made this known while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, April 3, 2025.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had alleged that her ordeal in the senate, which culminated in a six-month suspension, started after she rejected repeated sexual advances from Akpabio.

This came to the fore after the Senate moved to discipline the Kogi Senator following her disruptive protest during plenary over the seating arrangement.

ALSO READ: I’ve known him for 50 years – Akpabio’s classmate reacts to sexual misconduct saga

However, since making the sexual harassment allegations, Akpoti-Uduaghan has failed to provide any shred of evidence to the public to support her claim.

“At the right time and at the right space, I will present the evidence that I have,” she stated after being asked if she had any shred of evidence to substantiate the allegation against the Senate President.

Senator Natasha faults INEC over recall petition

Though she commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for eventually throwing out the petition for her recall on Thursday, Natasha said the decision should have come earlier.

She argued that INEC shouldn’t have entertained the petition the moment the petitioners failed to provide their addresses and phone numbers.

She claimed that even the addresses provided in the petition for her recall were false because most houses in her district weren’t labeled.

“I’m a lawyer. I’m a senator and I understand how Nigeria works. For me, the most important thing is that this recall process has been stalled.

ALSO READ: Senator Natasha retains seat as INEC declares recall petition inadequate

“I give kudos and credit to INEC even though I believe they should have thrown it away from the get-go.

“I think it was void ab initio because there is no law in the Electoral Act that says a petition should be discarded just because there is no address but again, what if the address is false?” she stated.

 In a landmark move that sets a new benchmark for customer-focused banking in Nigeria, Sterling Bank has championed the cancellation of bank transfer fees by major banks, announcing it will no longer take any money for itself for any local online transactions by its customers.The announcement, made on April 1st, initially sparked widespread arguments, with many assuming it was a marketing prank tied to April Fools Day. However, Sterling has confirmed that this is no stunt: the zero-transfer-fee policy is real, and effective immediately.With this move, Sterling becomes the first major Nigerian bank to take a definitive stand against the long-standing practice of charging customers for everyday digital transfers, an issue that has grown increasingly contentious as digital banking adoption deepens.We believe access to your own money shouldnt come with a penalty, said Obinna Ukachukwu, Growth Executive leading the Consumer and Business Banking Directorate. This is more than a financial decision, its a values-based one. It reflects our commitment to making banking fair, inclusive, and truly customer focused.Were not yet the biggest bank in Nigeria, but weve been the boldest, Ukachukwu added. Sterling fearlessly believes in the future of Nigeria, and this is us backing Nigerians with more than words.Under the new policy, Sterling customers will enjoy free transfers for all local transactions conducted via the banks mobile app. This translates into significant savings, particularly for individuals and new small business owners who make frequent daily transfers.This customer-first orientation is not new for Sterling. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the bank stood out by providing supplementary payments to healthcare workers in public hospitalsat a time when few others were willing or able to offer additional support. From that moment to now, Sterling has continued to redefine what it means to be a responsible and responsive institution.The banks latest move has been met with widespread public approval, sparking positive reactions across social media and placing pressure on industry peers to follow suit.Were proud to lead this change, Ukachukwu added. We hope it inspires others to think differently about what customers truly need from their banks, not just in services, but in values.Online communities were not excluded as WhatsApp Nigeria lit up with viral broadcasts as users forwarded the news across various groups, including one from a prayer circle that read: Please my good people this is not a joke!!! Sterling Bank has just shocked Nigeria today o!! My neighbour Justina just transferred N100k and no charges!!! God bless Sterling Bank!!. The message quickly gained traction, sparking massive public interest and mounting pressure on other banks to follow suit.Sterlings zero-fee policy is part of a broader strategy to transform the customer experience and deliver transparent, ethical banking solutions at scale.About Sterling BankSterling Bank is a full-service national commercial bank in Nigeria, focused on building a more equitable and sustainable future through its HEART strategy, targeting investments in Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Transportation. With a growing reputation for innovation and customer advocacy, Sterling continues to lead with impact, empathy, and execution.The post Sterling Bank leads protest for removal of bank transfer charges appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.