Tag: Godswill Akpabio

In a strong show of support for peace, unity, and exemplary leadership in the National Assembly, the OML 150 Communities Consultative Forum has commended, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for his noble decision to withdraw all defamation suits filed against his colleague, Senator Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan.

In a statement issued to newsmen and signed by the Chairman, Dr. Monday Agbeyi, and Secretary, Mr. Oritseweyinmi Aginejuone, the Forum described the withdrawal of the suits as a striking demonstration of statesmanship and maturity befitting a leader of such high national office.

“Senator Akpabio’s gesture sets a powerful example for other political leaders and public office holders, underscoring the importance of unity, dialogue, and forgiveness in the ongoing work of nation‑building,” the statement read. “We urge the Senate President not to stop at this point, but to take further affirmative steps by constructively engaging with his critics and considering their concerns as valuable input for better governance.”

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The Forum also called on both Senate leaders to pursue total reconciliation, suggesting that Senator Akpabio could initiate a deeper healing process by formally inviting the husband of Senator Akpoti‑Uduaghan, High Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, The Alema of Warri Kingdom, into the reconciliation dialogue. “Such a gesture would send a strong message of peace, healing, and unity to the Nigerian public and political class,” the statement added.

The OML 150 Communities acknowledged that the two Senators shared strong bonds prior to their political disagreements, and expressed relief that unity has begun to prevail. The Forum noted the symbolic significance of the fact that both leaders share the same birthday, describing it as “a divine reminder that their destinies are linked in service to the nation.” It emphasiSed that Nigeria needs both leaders working together for progress.

The statement concluded with heartfelt commendation, urging both Senator Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan to build on this renewed spirit of collaboration. “May this renewed bond usher in greater collaboration and leadership that inspires generations to come,” the Forum prayed.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Boxing Day presented 10 outboard engine fishing boats to women and cooperative groups of Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District as part of his constituency project.

The women and cooperative societies were drawn from the riverine communities of Akwa Ibom State and have fishing as the mainstay of the economy of the area, according to a statement by the Senate President’s media office in Abuja.

At the ceremony, the wife of the President of the Senate, Dr (Mrs) Ekaette Unoma Akpabio thanked the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio for remembering the women from the riverine communities of Akwa Ibom State.

She said the women were drawn from Eket Senatorial District because her husband is the Senate President for all, irrespective of the Senatorial Districts.

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In his remarks, Akpabio commended the beneficiaries for their support. He said he had always enjoyed the support of women in Akwa Ibom State and therefore felt the need to empower them in their fishing business.

He told the women: “I can never forget your love; I can never forget your prayers, I can never forget your support. We are still standing strong because you are still praying.

“Let me thank you in advance for the support you will give to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027. Today I’m making you also fishers of men. The nets will be for you to drag as many votes as possible for the All Progressives Congress, APC, in your Senatorial District.

The rift between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan deepened on Friday after Akpabio filed a fresh N200 billion defamation lawsuit against the Kogi lawmaker.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, confirmed receiving the court documents in a post on her social media pages, where she also shared a copy of the suit filed before Justice U. P. Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory High Court.

In the suit, Akpabio accused her of making “false, malicious and injurious” allegations depicting him as a “sexual predator,” claims he said have subjected him to “public hatred, contempt and ridicule.”

The Senate President is seeking substantial monetary damages, public retractions and broadcast apologies across major media platforms.

The court had on November 6 granted an order for substituted service after bailiffs were unable to serve Akpoti-Uduaghan personally, with the documents eventually delivered through the Clerk of the National Assembly.

However, the legal action has opened an unexpected opportunity for the Kogi senator, who said she is “ready for full trial,” adding that she finally has a chance to present allegations she claimed the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges declined to hear.

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“Now, I am glad that Akpabio has brought this up,” she wrote. “The Ethics Committee declined to hear me on the grounds that his wife had filed a defamation suit, so they couldn’t handle a matter already before the court.

“Yet I couldn’t proceed to court because Senate rules require me to first present my case to that same committee.

“At last, I now have a chance to prove how I was sexually harassed and how my refusal to give in to his demands unleashed unprecedented attacks on my person. See you in court, Godswill Akpabio.”

Her posts immediately reignited public debate, with political watchers describing the development as an unprecedented clash between the head of the National Assembly and a sitting senator.

The rift stretches back months. In March, Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months after objecting to the relocation of her seat during plenary, a move she claimed was targeted at silencing her.

She accused Akpabio of running the Senate with an iron fist and once publicly labelled him a “dictator.”

Although her suspension formally expired in September, she was unable to return to the chamber immediately due to what she called internal resistance from Senate leadership.

Her sealed office was eventually reopened by Sergeant-at-Arms officials, and she resumed without offering any apology.

…Tasks SSDC on service driven transformation

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has admonished Nigerian youths not to despair about the future of Nigeria but have faith and be positive about their country.

Akpabio said with the ongoing reforms of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Government, things would change for the better.

Akpabio made the remarks on Friday at an interactive session with the All Progressives Congress (APC) Youths tagged: “An Uncommon Evening With President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.”

The event which held at the APC Youth House in Abuja, was organised by the APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, according to a statement by the office of the Senate President in Abuja.

The Senate President told the youths: “The world was not built in a day. If you feel discouraged about Nigeria’s future, do something about it. As a young person, you can change Nigeria by doing the right thing. Start first by cleaning your environment. Start first by sharing what you have with others. Start first by showing love to one another.

“Don’t mind the situation you find today. The evil you see today, you shall see them no more. The poverty around you today, you shall see them no more. Just believe strongly and have faith in your country. That your time will come and Nigeria will change.

“So do not despair. Do not feel discouraged about this country. Just believe in this country. I am here to encourage you. The mind is stronger than the body. Ensure that your mind is stronger than your body.

“What l will say to the Nigerian child is for the child to have a mindset, to have faith in Nigeria and to ensure that he thinks positively about this country because what he thinks in his mind is what will happen to Nigeria.”

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Akpabio also tasked the board and management of the South South Development Commission (SSDC) on carrying out developmental projects that will impact on the living standard of the people of the region while furthering the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Senator Akpabio gave the charge when the board of the new Commission paid him a courtesy visit on Thursday in Abuja.

He urged the Commission to rise up to its responsibilities to develop the South South and contribute to the economic development of the six States of the region.

The Chairman of the board of the Commission, Prince Chibudom Nwuche, thanked President Bola Tinubu, the Senate President and the National Assembly for their efforts in passing the SSDC bill into law despite the challenges and difficulties. He said with the caliber of persons appointed into the management and board the SSDC will add value to the nation.

“Under my leadership as Chairman, I assure you that we shall keep faith in executing the core mandate of this Commission. We will work closely with you and the Senate and listen to guidance from our stakeholders. We will avoid the mistakes of the past and make sure our people feel the impact of governance,” he said.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said more governors from the opposition parties were putting finishing touches to join President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the ruling party.

He said Nigerians were already seeing many achievements of the Tinubu administration across all sectors.

Akpabio stated this in his goodwill message at the launch of a book, titled: Ten Years of Impactful Leadership of The APC Administration In Nigeria, written by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and the inauguration of projects by President Tinubu in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, Senator Akpabio 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.”

The Senate President noted that Nigerians were beginning to see the positive outcomes of President Tinubu’s reforms and were acknowledging them.

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He added: “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.”

Akpabio recalled that when he was the governor of Akwa Ibom State 18 years ago, he was already a progressive, based on the projects he executed.

The Senate President congratulated his host and the national leadership of the party for achievements of the party in the last 10 years.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called on Nigerians to remain patient with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, assuring that the government’s ongoing reforms will soon yield economic prosperity.

Akpabio made the appeal in his opening address as Chairman of the Second Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media/Communication, Anietie Ekong, the Senate President urged citizens not to despair over present challenges but to remain hopeful for a brighter future.

Using a cathedral as an analogy, he said: “A nation is like a mighty cathedral—it is not raised overnight, but stone by stone, prayer by prayer, hand by hand. Do not despair when the winds blow strongly or the scaffolding shakes.”

He also quoted Isaiah 40:31, encouraging Nigerians to draw strength from faith while trusting the reform process.

“Let us therefore renew hope in the Nigerian enterprise. Let us believe again that our land can be great, that our children can inherit a future brighter than our present.

“Let us bind the wounds of division, banish the cynicism of despair, and walk together—Church and State, pulpit and parliament, faith and policy—towards the dawn.

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“Transformation is not the burden of one arm of society, nor the privilege of a select few. It is a covenant of partnership. As St. Paul declares: ‘We are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.’”

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who represented President Tinubu, said the administration was working towards building a country that works for everyone.

“This administration came into office with a firm commitment to renew hope, strengthen our democratic institutions, and build a Nigeria that works for all.

“We have taken bold steps to stabilize the economy, attract investment, and implement reforms that will bring enduring benefits to our country.”

He urged the Church to keep supporting the government and assured that the Tinubu administration would leave no one behind through its social investment programmes.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, said the Catholic Church has played key roles all over the world in fighting injustice, enthroning democratic governance, and placing the welfare of the people at the centre of her policies.

He said his administration has invested heavily in lifting people out of poverty, especially the poor and vulnerable persons, and to improve their living conditions.

He enumerated several intervention programmes initiated by the government. 

He called for the continued support of the Church in delivering dividends of democracy to the people.

The conference had in attendance the Apostolic Nuncio and representative of the Pope, Most Rev. Michael Francis Crotty, Catholic Bishops from all over Nigeria, and other Catholic faithful, members of the National Assembly, politicians, and worshippers from all parts of the country.