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Tag: Akpabio

  • Akpabio, ex-senator clash over sack

    Akpabio, ex-senator clash over sack

    Senator Elisha Abbo, who represented Adamawa North Senatorial District, has fingered Senate President Godswill Akpabio in his sack by the Court of Appeal.

    The appellate court in Abuja yesterday annulled the election of Abbo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared him winner of the February 25 parliamentary election, but Amos Yohanna, his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rival, rejected the result and headed to the court.

    The tribunal, in its judgment, dismissed Yohanna’s petition for lacking in merit.

    The PDP’s candidate, through his counsel, Johnson Usman (SAN), approached the appellate court.

    The Court of Appeal, after hearing arguments from both parties, agreed with Usman that based on Section 137 of the Electoral Act, 2022, the results tendered clearly showed that Abbo did not comply with the Electoral Act.

    The court deducted the invalid votes from the parties and found that Yohanna and PDP won the election by majority of lawful votes cast.

    In its ruling, the three-member panel, presided over by Justice C. E. Nwosu-Iheme, ordered INEC to issue a Certificate of Return to Yohanna as the validly elected lawmaker for the senatorial district.

    Reacting to his sack, Abbo fingered Akpabio for his ordeal and added that four other senators who worked against the emergence of Akpabio as Senate President had been targeted for removal from the Senate through the courts.

    Abbo, who addressed reporters in Abuja, also listed Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC Abia North) as the next target for removal from the Upper Chamber.

    “I have it from a reliable source that myself and four other senators within the fold of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will be removed from the Senate through rulings from the courts, all because of working against the emergence of Akpabio as President of the 10th Senate.

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    “I won’t mention the names of all the four other ones targeted but the next in line is Senator Orji Uzor Kalu,” he said.

    He wondered how, with over 11,000 votes margin of victory he had polled above his closest rival, Yohanna of the PDP in the election, the Appeal Court still upturned his victory.

    “The court judgment is strange and the judiciary needs to please remain the last hope of the common man,” Abbo said.

    He appealed to his supporters to remain calm, promising to re-contest in 2027.

    But Akpabio denied any complicity in Abbo’s sack from the Senate.

    A statement yesterday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, denied the involvement of his principal while addressing reporters.

    The statement said: “It is unfortunate, if he actually said that Akpabio was responsible for his removal. That’s the swan song of a man looking for scapegoats.

    “The Court of Appeal across the country decides cases based on the provisions of the Electoral Act and evidence advanced by petitioners. The Senate President has no reason to witch-hunt any of his colleagues.”

    ·              

  • It’s time to fix Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta road, says Akpabio

    It’s time to fix Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta road, says Akpabio

    • Abiodun seeks transfer of Fed Govt roads in Ogun to state

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta road needs urgent repairs to relieve its users of further harrowing experience.

    He promised Federal Government’s assistance to put the road in a better shape, as well as other Federal roads across the state.

    The Senate President relived his experience on the deplorable state of Federal roads he passed through while travelling from Lagos to Ilaro in Ogun State at the weekend.

    Akpabio made the promise at the grand finale of the Yewa Cultural Festival with the theme: Celebration of Culture, Tradition, Music, Cuisine, and Dance, held at the ultra-modern pavilion, Empire Field in Ilaro, the headquarters of Yewa South Local Government Area, where he was installed Aare Fiwagboye of Yewa land.

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    He affirmed that all hands would be on deck to complete the road.

    The Senate President said he insisted on driving to the venue for him to have first-hand knowledge of what people go through on the road every day.

    According to him, it took his team more than two hours to drive from Lagos to Ilaro.

    Akpabio promised that the Senate would ensure that the construction of the road is awarded to a competent contractor, saying the Upper Chamber would work with Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration to complete the job.

    He said: “The 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is going to get the list of things you want us to do here.

    “I saw the road; two trucks fell on the road. So, we ended up spending over two hours on the road. I was determined to go through the road that you go through. Now, I have seen what you have been seeing. From today, I prophesy that your roads are done.

    “Yewa land has the greatest number of industries that any local government can ever have in Nigeria, just five local governments. Therefore, we recognise the need to use the best set of contractors to do your roads because of the wear and tear. I assure you that we will be working with our brother, Dapo Abiodun. Your lives will not be the same again.”

    The Senate President urged youths in Yewa land and other parts of the state to avoid drugs and fraudulent activities.

    Akpabio assured them that their lives would be better when they stayed clean.

    “For the youths of Yewam land, I will advise you never to engage in anything that will bring disrepute to your domain. Don’t do drugs, no banditry, no kidnapping, no fraud. I assure you that the blessings of God will be upon you,” he said.

    Governor Abiodun spoke on the efforts of his administration to fix several roads across the state.

    He said: “I also want to announce to you that I am currently concluding discussions with the Minister of Works on the reconstruction of the Abeokuta-Olorunda-Imeko road and the completion of the Abeokuta-Iborro-Ilaro road. This will complement the Imasayi-Iborro-Ayetoro road.

    Also, Akpabio solicited the support of Yewa people for the governorship ambition of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly called Yayi.

    The Senate President said Adeola had facilitated many developmental projects to Ogun West and other parts of the state, thus deserved to be appreciated.

    To Governor Abiodun, he said: “This land, in the last 50 years, has not produced a governor. And don’t forget that in the last election, these people came together and voted for you and gave you their mandate. Yewa believes that I should whisper to you that one good term deserves another.”

  • Akpabio, lies and democracy

    Akpabio, lies and democracy

    It might have been laughable, if not grave. An online portal reported that Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, opened an office for his wife. It is the sort of nonsense that will continue to inundate the online world until the traditional media, especially the proprietors and Guild of Editors wake up. Posterity will frown at us as we watch the integrity of our profession sullied by a mendacious brood. Today, New York Times has over 10 million paid subscribers. The Wall Street Journal and Washington Post have fewer but nonetheless boast robust millions. We cannot grow because we have left the place to leeches.

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    Senate President Akpabio gets my sympathies. It happened because media managers are asleep. He does not deserve such an embarrassment. We witnessed same in reporting the Kaduna Tribunal verdict when online portals who had no reporters in the court trended online with a farrago of lies. It’s not only the media on trial. It’s democracy.

  • Akpabio mourns Tribune reporter Adeyemi

    Akpabio mourns Tribune reporter Adeyemi

    Senate president Godswill Akpabio has expressed shock and sadness over the death of Alhaji Tijani Adeyemi, who was the Senate Correspondent of Tribune Newspapers.

    In a statement issued on Thursday, October 5, through his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Hon Eseme Eyiboh, the Senate president lamented that Adeyemi’s death had robbed the nation of one of the richest handlers of the institution memory of the National Assembly.

    Quoting from a letter to the widow, Alhaja Mamunat Adeyemi, he said: “Though your husband and I were not particularly close, but my information is that he was very peaceable and gentle in all his dealings.

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    “To his colleagues, he was a very diligent journalist whose assiduous dedication to duty made him one of the most established journalists in the National Assembly.

    “I am informed that he qualifies to be so described as the doyen of the National Assembly Press Corps, having covered the Fourth National Assembly from about its establishment.

    “Though he has crisscrossed the media terrain from broadcast to print under different organisations, it was the outstanding streak in legislative reporting that made the various organisations he worked for post him to the National Assembly.

    “The institutional memory of the National Assembly and his rich flair in legislative reporting shall surely be missed.

    “On behalf of my Distinguished Colleagues, I pray God to comfort you and your four children.”

    “I join you to pray for the repose of his soul in Aljannah Firdaus.”

  • First Lady, Akpabio, Makinde for women’s confab

    First Lady, Akpabio, Makinde for women’s confab

    First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akbapio, Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi) are expected at the 23rd National Women’s Conference organised by Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO).

    The conference, at Eko Hotel and Suites on Victoria Island in Lagos October 17 to 19, will be attended by over 5,000 women.

    Wife of Lagos State governor and COWLSO Chairman, Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, said this year’s theme is: Unleash Your Potential.

    She noted the conference has become a purpose-driven international event where women are galvanised and inspired to make a difference.

    “This year’s edition is tailored towards assisting women to be more productive and influence the society.

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    “The conference will feature over 5,000 participants physically and virtually from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), other state delegates, political groups, civil society, and others.

    “Seasoned facilitators and panellists will discuss topics affecting women, such as health, agriculture and food security, education, empowerment, cyber security, harnessing digital technology, family and lifestyle.

    “Some pre-conference activities include COWLSO Fun Day to unwind, and awareness walk on October 7 at Epe. The public is enjoined to follow the activities through out website and other social media platforms.”

    Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Prof. Olufunke Adeyeye, said the event is not only about sharing insight but also for ensuring that women are motivated to go beyond their comfort zones, “as the theme encapsulates their collective aspiration to break free from various constraints, limitations and barriers”.

    Prof. Adeyeye added that the conference would enable participants to create a symphony of ideas to bring out the best in them.

  • Stakeholders hail Tinubu, Akpabio over NDDC board, confirmation

    Stakeholders hail Tinubu, Akpabio over NDDC board, confirmation

    • Management tasked on IPC approval, payment to local contractors

    Some stakeholders in the Niger Delta region have lauded the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio on the successful screening and confirmation of the new governing board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    They described the decision of President Tinubu and Akpabio to speed up the processes of nomination, screening and confirmation as a demonstration of the present administration’s willingness and commitment to the development of the region.

    The stakeholders, who comprised traditional rulers, youth leaders and civil society groups (CSGs), urged the new board to provide the needed checks and balances and encourage the management team to work in the interest of the people and the region.

    But they alleged that despite the over N300 billion the previous NDDC management got in less than a year, it did not complete or rehabilitate a single major road, bridge, hospital, or school.

    In a statement by their spokesman Celestine Okpara, the stakeholders said the new management team, including its executive directors, should reform the commission to be a positive departure from its old administrative style.

    Okpara said the old style of administration at the regional intervention agency had enslaved the people and encouraged a web of silence in the face of illegality.

    The spokesman said this included the previous management’s refusal to sign the Interim Payment Certificate (IPC) of genuine contractors, thereby stalling projects completion to a more proactive commission committed to the development of the region.

    He urged the new management team to strive to reduce the suffering of the people in the region, stressing that “scores of the indigenous contractors are sick and some are suffering and dying due to their inability to get paid by the commission to enable them to pay the banks from where they secured loans to complete their projects”.

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    Okpara added: “There have been numerous allegations that instead of signing the IPCs of genuine contractors, a certain director and his cohorts have allegedly been electively signing IPCs for only contractors that have either paid them or agreed to pay millions of naira or percentages for each project, while ignoring genuine contractors. This system has to change if the commission must progress.”

    “We urge the incoming executive management team to immediately redeploy the director over those alleged schemes, and to cleanse the commission of previous misconduct, alleged bribery and corruption.

    “The team should also direct the signing of the IPCs to hundreds of helpless and genuine indigenous contractors to enable them to present their IPCs to banks and to process their payments for jobs done in accordance with the commission’s contractual obligations.”

  • Akpabio condemns discrimination against Nigerians in diaspora

    Akpabio condemns discrimination against Nigerians in diaspora

    Senate President Godwill Akpabio yesterday condemned what he called widespread discrimination against Nigerians living in other countries.

    Akpabio spoke when the Senate directed its committees on Diaspora and Foreign Affairs to investigate the offences and circumstances surrounding the plight of 250 Nigerians currently serving jail terms in Ethiopia.

    The Red Chamber mandated the committees to report back within two weeks.

    Read Also: Niger Delta youths warn against insult on Akpabio

    The Senate’s resolution followed the consideration a motion moved by its Minority Leader Simon Mwadkwon at the plenary.

    Akpabio urged relevant authorities to take the issue of Nigerians in diaspora seriously.

    “The life of every Nigerian matters a lot. I also use this opportunity to urge the relevant authorities of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to take the lives of Nigerians very seriously, both in Nigeria and in the diaspora.

    “I am aware that many Nigerians are suffering discrimination in places like South Africa and some of the countries have even stopped receiving the green passports, saying that they cannot use the green passports to enter their countries and some of those countries are not even up to the size of Enugu State…”

  • Niger Delta youths warn against insult on Akpabio

    Niger Delta youths warn against insult on Akpabio

    Youths under the aegis of Niger Delta Youth Stakeholders Forum (NDYSF) have warned against leveraging on the controversies surrounding the amended Traditional Rulers Council Law in Akwa Ibom State to rub insult on Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

    The NDYSF National President, Mr. Cyril Essien, in a statement while reacting to a publication against Akpabio in one of the national dailies in Uyo yesterday, wondered how individuals would rely on half-baked information to concoct stories, in order to insult a man with no mean repute.

    He described the publication with the headline: ‘Focus on NASS, not Akwa Ibom, Group tells Akpabio’, credited to a group, Alliance for Peace in Niger Delta (APND), as ill-conceived, awkward, spurious and preposterous.

    Essien, referring to APND group as merchants of misinformation, paid blackmailers and attention-seekers, noted that “it is public knowledge that the amended Traditional Rulers Law recently passed by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and assented to by the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has generated serious uproar in the state.”

    and non-discriminatory option for consideration in the interest of the state.

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    “Since the Senate President suggestion does and cannot translate to meddling with Pastor Eno in administering the affairs of the state as shamelessly alleged by this disgruntled group, we therefore view this onslaught on Sen. Akpabio as despicable antics of twisted minds, infamously seeking attention by throwing unwarranted darts at a man of no mean repute – one whose uncommon leadership style resonates with the people.

    “We wish to remind these faceless detractors that Godswill Akpabio is first of all a senator representing Akwa Ibom North West/Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, before his office of the Senate Presidency.

    “Being a respectable leader in the state, as former governor, and a representative of the people of his senatorial district confers on him not just the right to contribute to critical issues affecting the state and the people, but one whose opinion should be sought.

    “So, it is insulting, not just to Sen. Akpabio, but also to the people he represents for a rag-tag group to suggest that he should have no say in the affairs of Akwa Ibom State. What an impudence,” Essien said.

  • Akpabio visits bereaved Vanguard editor, consoles family

    Akpabio visits bereaved Vanguard editor, consoles family

    The Senate president, Godswill Akpabio at the weekend visited the family of the Assistant Political Editor of Vanguard Newspapers, Henry Umoru, to commiserate with him over the demise of his wife and mother.

    Umoru lost his mother, Celestina Ogbakhena Aboda and wife, Bridget Umoru within 24 hours on 26th and 27th September, 2023, respectively.

    The Senate president’s delegation was led by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh who enjoined the family not to lose faith in God in spite of the tragedy that had befallen them.

    He said: “My dear Henry, I know that as humans, it will be difficult for you, and especially your teenage daughter, Emmanuella, to come to terms with the fact that both Bridget and Mama left at the same time. But God who is the ultimate architect of our lives knows best.

    “The entire members of the Nigerian Senate and my family are with you in prayers. Do not give up on God but continue to hold unto him.

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    “Mama and Bridget have only gone the way of every other flesh. My prayer is that the Almighty God will forgive their shortcomings and grant them eternal rest.

    “I also ask the good Lord to console you,  your daughter and in deed all members of your family at this difficult time. Please, be strong for God is with you. Accept my sincere condolences,” Akpabio said.

    Eyiboh was accompanied on the condolence visit by the Special Assistant Media (Print) to the Senate President, Mr. Jackson Udom and the Vice Chairman of the Senate Press Corps, Mr. Sanni Onogu of the Nation Newspapers. Others on the delegation were Mr. Sunday Aborisade of Thisday Newspapers, Ms Bosede Adebayo and Philip Nyam.

    In his response, Umoru thanked the Senate President for finding time to visit, identify and mourn with his family.

    He said the family was taken aback by the loss of their mother and wife but have taken solace in the belief that they are in the warm embrace of God.

    Akpabio said: “I wish on behalf of my family to thank His Excellency, the President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, for finding time to come and commiserate with me and my family on the death of my dear wife and mother. I am honoured and thank you for this great honour.”

  • Akpabio denies fake X handle

    Akpabio denies fake X handle

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Friday denied operating an X (formerly Twitter) handle being credited to him.

    Akpabio in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, titled: “Disclaimer Notice:- Beware of Parody X Handles – Akpabio” raised the alarm over the alleged existence of Parody X Handles “purported to belong to Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate.”

    The statement reads in part: “The offending Parody X Handles are bearing “Senate President Godswill Akpabio @ oficialGAkpabio” with various messages on the proceedings of the Senate President Godswill Akpabio at plenary sessions.

    “For clarity, the verified X Handles of the President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio are “President of the Senate @SPNigeria…Official account of the office of the President of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria” and @Senator_Akpabio, which is his personal account.

    “The Senate President therefore denounces the Parody X Handles and urges the public to disregard them.

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    “All X Handles other than the official, authentic and verified X Handles of the President of the Senate are unauthorized.

    “The Senate President is not unaware of some elements who must have created these Parody X Handles, apparently to use it for the dissemination of fake news and information that would cause public disaffection and ill will.

    “However, the Senate President wishes to assure well-meaning Nigerians that no amount of distraction and mischief will make him abandon the cause of offering genuine leadership to the 10th Senate and collaborating with the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to drive the Renewed Hope Agenda and reset the country so that the common man will enjoy the dividends of good governance.”