Tag: Akpabio

…says 33m Nigerians face risk of acute hunger

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday, said that no state governor in Nigeria is still borrowing money to pay workers’ salaries due to the economic reforms being implemented by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Akpabio also said that at least 33 million Nigerians are currently facing acute hunger due to devastation caused by flooding.

The Senate President made these assertions in his speech while welcoming Senators back to legislative duties from their 10-week recess during plenary.

Akpabio, “I can confidently say that through the engineering of President Bola Tinubu and his team, no state government today is borrowing to pay salaries. So, for this, we say kudos to the administration,” he said.

Many State Governments have, over the years, resorted to borrowing to pay workers’ salaries.

Under the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Salary Bailout Facility (SBF), several states also obtained loans to offset wage arrears.

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According to a Nairametrics report, 31 state governments collectively borrowed ₦457.17 billion through the SBF to pay salaries. States such as Imo, Kogi, Kano, Edo, Benue, and Osun were among those listed.

In addition, reports show that between January and June 2023, state governors borrowed about ₦46.17 billion from three commercial banks to pay salaries.

However, since the removal of fuel subsidy, reports indicate that allocations to state governments have tripled in some cases. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Wale Edun, had said that the policies have significantly improved the financial standing of state governments.

In his speech, Akpabio commiserated with victims and families affected by recent tragedies across the country.

Akpabio said, “Our country has walked through both shadow and sunshine while we were away.

“We grieve with the families who lost their loved ones in the cruel boat tragedy on the Niger River in Kogi State, and in the bloody outrage at a mosque in Katsina.

“We also mourn the 12 forest guards slain in Oke-Ode, Kwara State, cut down while protecting our environment — martyrs of service who remind us that insecurity knows no boundaries.

“We commiserate with our compatriots across the flood-ravaged states of Bayelsa, Sokoto, Zamfara, and others, as the 2025 flood season continues to uproot lives and destroy livelihoods.

“We urge urgent coordination between the federal and sub-national governments to mitigate these devastations before they become annual calamities.

“To every home afflicted by these disasters, insecurity, hunger, and hardship, we extend to them the hand of fellowship and the prayer of comfort. We promise them that we shall not flinch from the duty of relief and redress for our people.

“While our hearts grieve, our hopes endure because of glimmers of progress. Nigeria’s oil production has climbed toward 1.8 million barrels per day, driven by reforms and renewed investor confidence.

“We must ensure that this blessing does not become another fleeting windfall, but a foundation for fiscal discipline, infrastructure renewal, and job creation.”

He added, “Let us also heed the cry from the farms and markets. Over 33 million Nigerians face acute food insecurity — a crisis demanding urgent legislative attention to agriculture, rural roads, irrigation, and mechanization. Hunger cannot be defeated with words; it requires policy, budget, and will.

“Our people do not look to us for lamentations; they look to us for action. The banners of terrorism and banditry still threaten the countryside.

“The cost of living weighs upon the family table like an iron chain. The flickering of our national grid leaves cities in darkness and commerce in paralysis.

“These trials summon us to service of uncommon urgency — and to partnership with the Executive Arm, that together we rewrite the story of our nation.

“We must legislate with boldness. We must press forward with reforms to steady our economy, draw investment, broaden the tax base, and nurture growth. We must strike hard at the enemies of ignorance and disease by strengthening education and healthcare. We must give the youths of Nigeria not only hope but opportunity.

“We must revisit the Constitution — to make our federalism stronger, our governance more efficient, and our democracy more inclusive. Above all, we must wield our power of oversight with vigilance, so that the people’s money is spent for the people’s good.”

More opposition governors will soon join the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said.

He stated this in his goodwill message at the presentation of a book titled: “Ten years of impactful leadership of the APC administration in Nigeria”, written by Governor Hope Uzodimma.

President Tinubu inaugurated some projects as part of the event.

The APC currently has 23 out of 36 governors as members.

Delta State Sheriff Oborevwori and Akwa Ibom State Govenor Umo Eno are the last to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC.

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Akpabio, according to a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, said: “Mr President, with what you have done in the last two years, get ready to receive more governors from the opposition parties.

“As I speak, there are several governors in Nigeria today ready to be received by you.

“The students, farmers and businessmen are all speaking on the various reforms you have brought into governance, which are now yielding results, in the overall interest and benefit of the people.

“If we say it, they will accuse us of rubber-stamping your achievements, but the beneficiaries are the ones talking about what you have done.”

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has said that more governors from the opposition parties were putting finishing touches in preparation to join President Bola Tinubu in the ruling party, just as he noted that Nigerians were already seeing the positive outcomes of the Tinubu-led administration.

Akpabio stated this on Tuesday in his goodwill message at the launch of a book, titled: “Ten Years of Impactful Leadership of the APC Administration in Nigeria,” written by Governor Hope Uzodimma and commissioning of projects by President Bola Tinubu in Owerri, Imo State.

Akpabio, according to a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, said, “Mr President, with what you have done in the last two years, get ready to receive more governors from the opposition parties. As I speak, there are several governors in Nigeria today who are ready to be received by you.”

He stated further that Nigerians were beginning to see the positive outcomes of President Bola Tinubu, and they are saying it.

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“The students, farmers, and businessmen are all speaking on the various reforms you have brought into governance, which are now yielding results, in the overall interest and benefit of the people.

“If we say it, they will accuse us of rubber-stamping your achievements, but the beneficiaries are the ones talking about what you have done.

“I believe strongly in development and progress. I thank Governor Uzodimma for deciding to put history in writing, in his 10 years of impactful leadership of the APC administration in Nigeria.

“If you don’t tell your story, others will tell it for you. Progressiveness is not in words; it is in action. The quality of works done by the Governor is of high quality, and the people of Imo State must be very, very excited,” the Senate President said.

Speaking further, he stressed that as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State 18 years ago, he was already a progressive based on the projects he executed.

Akpabio congratulated his host and the National leadership of the party for the achievements of the party in the last 10 years.”

• Court reschedules hearing
• Akpoti-Uduaghan seeks dismissal of charges

Trial in the cybercrime charge filed against suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan at a Federal High Court in Abuja was stalled yesterday following objection raised by the defendant.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge filed by Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar, and granted bail.

Following the development, Justice Mohammed Umar adjourned till September 22 for trial.

Yesterday, prosecuting lawyer, David Kaswe, told the court the business of the day was for the prosecution to open its case.

Kaswe, who had a television screen mounted in the courtroom preparatory to the proceedings, said the prosecution was ready to proceed.

But defence lawyer, Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), expressed concern about that.

West-Idahosa said his client had filed a notice of preliminary objection to challenge the court’s jurisdiction.

He said the objection was not to the nature of the charge but the alleged abuse of prosecutorial powers of Attorney General of the Federation

The defence lawyer complained about not being served copies of statements of the prosecution witnesses.

Although Kaswe argued the objection filed by defendant should not be allowed to stall the court’s business, Justice Umar insisted prosecution must reply to the objection.

The judge said he intended to first determine the objection raised by defence before taking any steps in the case.

He adjourned till October 20 for hearing of the objection.

Also, Akpoti-Uduaghan yesterday urged Federal High Court and High Court of the FCT to dismiss criminal charges against her.

Her plea is contained in a preliminary objection she filed at the two courts.

The senator is embroiled in a legal tussle with Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello over alleged criminal defamation and cyberbullying.

She said allowing the charges proceed would undermine integrity of the justice system.

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Akpoti-Uduaghan said the criminal defamation charge was a brazen attempt at political persecution.

Following petitions Akpabio and Bello filed against her, Federal Government, through Office of Attorney-General of the Federation instituted two criminal charges against her for alleged criminal defamation.

One of the cases is before the High Court of the FCT under the Penal Code, while the other one is before the Federal High Court under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition) Act.

Through her legal team, comprising

Prof. Roland Otaru (SAN), Dr. Ehigie West-Idahosa (SAN), Johnson Usman (SAN), and Michael Jonathan Numa (SAN), the suspended senator filed a preliminary objection before both courts, seeking the dismissal of the charges

Her legal team, led by the four SANs, argued that the proceedings were unconstitutional, politically orchestrated, and amounted to a grave abuse of prosecutorial powers.

Akpoti-Uduaghan contended that the AGF is constitutionally bound to act in the public interest, in the interest of justice, and to prevent an abuse of legal process.

According to her, the charges were filed to shield the private reputations of Akpabio and Bello rather than to protect national security or public interest.

Akpoti-Uduaghan averred that both individuals have long been subjects of public commentary and criticism in the media, yet had not challenged such commentary until now.

She also contended that the alleged defamatory statements were not isolated from the existing statement about the reputation of the two highly placed individuals.

Akpoti-Uduaghan also averred that the AGF lacks the legal standing to prosecute defamation claims on behalf of private individuals who retain the right to pursue civil remedies or initiate private complaints.

The suspended senator stressed that matters of alleged defamation are civil in nature and that any attempt to criminalise them amounts to intimidation and a misuse of the criminal justice system and a gag on free speech.

She declared that the

charges were filed against her without any prior investigation by law enforcement agencies.

Akpoti-Uduaghan also maintained that the charges constitute discriminatory prosecution, contrary to Section 42 of the Constitution.

She argued that her political speech was being selectively criminalised because she belongs to the opposition, while her complaints against Akpabio and Bello were not investigated or prosecuted.

The defence team submitted that the charges against Akpoti-Uduaghan were frivolous, politically motivated, unconstitutional, and a waste of taxpayers’ resources.

They urged the courts to dismiss the case at the preliminary stage to safeguard the integrity of the justice system.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to strengthening Catholic schools and hospitals across the country.

Akpabio spoke at the opening ceremony of the second plenary meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in Obot Akara, Akwa Ibom State.

The Senate President, who was the chairman on the occasion, told the conference: “Rest assured that the Tinubu administration shall strengthen your schools that train not only the mind but also the soul. In healthcare, we shall work with your hospitals and clinics, which for decades have been the refuge of the sick and the poor.

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“In justice and human rights, we shall uphold laws that defend the dignity of every Nigerian, regardless of tribe or creed. In youth empowerment, we shall join hands with faith-based institutions to train, to inspire, and to equip our young men and women to meet the challenges of tomorrow.”

Akpabio called for more partnership between the church and government, saying the church played an important role in holding government accountable and complementing its social welfare efforts.

The Senate President noted that through such collaboration, the Federal Government has widened access to education, especially through its Student Loan Act, and lifted the hopes of youth.

“We restrained tariff hikes, that the poor might not be crushed beneath burdens too heavy to bear. We passed a new minimum wage, affirming the dignity of labour and the rights of the worker. And when war drums sounded in Niger, we chose the harder road of peace over the easier path of conflict,” he said.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has assured that President Bola Tinubu is committed to supporting Catholic schools and hospitals across Nigeria.

Akpabio gave the assurance while addressing the Second Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in Obot Akara, Akwa Ibom State.

He praised the Catholic Church for its long-standing contributions to education, healthcare, justice, and social welfare, noting that its schools train both the mind and the soul, while its hospitals remain a refuge for the sick and the poor.

“Rest assured that the Tinubu Administration shall strengthen your schools that train not only the mind but also the soul. In healthcare, we shall work with your hospitals and clinics, which for decades have been the refuge of the sick and the poor,” Akpabio said.

The Senate President highlighted the government’s recent policies, such as the Student Loan Act, a new minimum wage, and tariff interventions aimed at easing burdens on the poor. He also commended the Church for its role in holding government accountable and complementing public service delivery.

Akpabio further recalled historical examples of how the Catholic Church has shaped societies globally, from Poland and Latin America to South Korea, urging stronger collaboration between the Church and government in advancing national development.

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“Also, when military boots stamped upon the soil of our democracy, voices rose from the pulpit and the sanctuary. We remember Archbishop Gabriel Ganaka of Jos, who reminded us that the Church must ever be the conscience of society. ‘The Church cannot be silent in the face of injustice,’ he declared, ‘for silence in such times is itself a sin.’ In a season of fear, he gave us courage; in a season of tyranny, he gave us hope.

 “I recall with reverence the fearless Cardinal Anthony Okogie of Lagos, who, as President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, stood against the storm of tyranny and made all Christians proud. At a time when silence would have been easier, he raised his voice for democracy, for freedom, for dignity. The Church did not covet political influence; the Church wielded the sword of truth, and her moral authority became a lamp for the nation.

“As President of the Senate, I pledge before you that we shall continue to stand with the Church in this sacred work. In the councils of government, we are your eyes and your ears. And let it be said with clarity: your voice is not ornamental, it is essential; your counsel is not optional, it is indispensable.”

Akpabio, while declaring the event open, described Akwa Ibom as the Gilgal of Nigeria and a place of covenant renewal due to the stream of faith-based conventions that gather there.