Tag: Godswill Akpabio

•Senate President decries high turnover of NDDC management team

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said the people of Niger Delta have decided to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to continue in office beyond 2027 because of the projects his administration has brought to the region.

He spoke at the weekend at the grand finale of the 25th anniversary of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as part of activities to round off the week-long celebration.

The event was attended by former President Goodluck Jonathan, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Sen. George Akume, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Rivers State Administrator Admiral Ibokette Ibas, lawmakers, monarchs, ministers and personalities from across Niger Delta.

A statement by the Special Assistant to Senate President on Media/Communication, Anietie Ekong, quoted Senator Akpabio as saying: “In the past, Niger Delta was used as the goose that produced the golden egg with nothing to show for it.

“Today President Tinubu has set up an environmental sciences university in Ogoni land to take care of the environment, which has been degraded as a result of oil pollution.

“He has also set up a maritime university, signed it into an Act of Parliament at Okerenkoko in Delta State. He has given us several tertiary institutions in agriculture, technology and lots of others. So, it is not only in terms of appointments, but various projects.

“This is the region that produces the wealth of the nation. We have the right to choose who manages our resources.  So, people should not think that anybody can just come and become the President without consultation with the people of Niger Delta.

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“We the people of Niger Delta have assessed President Tinubu and have found him fit to continue in office beyond 2027. So let the people who are conspiring against President Tinubu hear this. They did it before and conspired to remove our son, President Goodluck Jonathan.

“This time, the entire Niger Delta has decided to speak with one voice. And we are telling the President ‘on your mandate we stand.’ No conspiracy formed against this government that has recognised Niger Delta shall prosper.”

Akpabio decried the high turnover of management team of the NDDC, which he said had slowed the pace of development of the oil-rich region.

He hailed the current team led by the Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, for adhering to the vision of the founding fathers of the interventionist agency by embarking on projects that had impacted positively on the lives of the people of the region.

Akpabio said the frequent management change created endless cycles where new leaders were removed before finishing projects, leaving thousands of initiatives abandoned and wasting billions meant for development.

“There were many reasons we have had so much problems in NDDC. Part of it was leadership tussle. In Niger Delta, we have what we call ‘periwinkle politics.’ This is politics where everybody bears the same head. Nobody wants to wait for his turn. Everybody feels he should be there and not the other person.

“So there was always this conspiratorial situation. Each management in the NDDC will conspire against themselves and of course the workers will assist them to quarrel and shortly after they will sack the management. And one of them will become the acting managing director,” he said.

The Senate President recounted how the commission for over 20 years could not complete its headquarters building until he became the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and gave a marching order to the commission to complete the long abandoned project.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has assured that the National Assembly is committed to resolving the lingering political crisis in Rivers State, three months into the six-month state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu.

Akpabio gave the assurance in Abuja while representing the President at the commissioning of the Kugbo Taxi and Bus Terminal.

He said the National Assembly would play a key role in restoring political stability and peace in the state, emphasizing that sustained efforts are underway to address the root causes of the crisis and foster reconciliation among stakeholders.

“We are determined to ensure that normalcy returns to Rivers State. The National Assembly will work closely with all parties involved to ensure lasting peace and progress for the people,” Akpabio said.

Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike also tackled former Presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi over the latter’s claim of leading a spartan lifestyle and not given to luxury like his contemporaries.

Wike recalled the glorious days of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and how he had joined a delegation to Anambra State where their host served them Cristal Brut, some form of expensive champagne.

Obi had in 2017 shortly after leaving the Anambra Government House claimed he had only one wristwatch which he had worn for 17 years.

Speaking at The Platform, a programme organised by the Covenant Christian Centre in Lagos, Obi said he also had two pairs of black shoes which he always travels with.

“I have said it to Nigerians, Peter Obi wears only black shoes, and I have two pairs of them, and I travel with them,” Obi had said, referring to his austere lifestyle.

However, Wike urged politicians to practice what they preach.

He said: “I will tell you something. When PDP had no problem, we went to Anambra state for a gubernatorial campaign and when we finished that campaign, we went to somebody’s house. I just sat down. Come and see the best of drinks, this and that. So, I called him, I said you are providing crystal champagne here but every day, you tell people that you wear only one shoe, you carry your own bag, only you. But look at champagne here. Not just champagne, crystal.

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“Why do we deceive Nigerians? Why can’t we tell ourselves the simple truth? What you preach is not what you practice. And you know, we like to hear such things but that is being deceitful.

“And these are the kind of things that I tell Nigerians, look, don’t allow people to deceive you. People who are preaching that they care for you, they don’t care for you, they don’t think about you. They only try to use you to climb.

“We must learn. We must see those who are sincere, who are faithful, who say, we will do this and we will do it. Yes, there could be some challenges. There could be some challenges. And that’s a sense of leadership. Nobody, no leader, can succeed without taking the decision. We have challenges. No leader can succeed without taking the decision that people will say something.

“People must say something. Because if you don’t take that decision, people will say something. If you take the decision, people will say something. Therefore, say something. And that’s all about what we are doing in our city.

That’s what will move this country forward. And that’s what the president has shown. We continue to support Mr. President.

“I thank him for giving us the opportunity to be part of this success story. To be part of this success story. You know, you can be a part of an administration that’s not successful. I’m happy. I’m part of an administration that’s successful. I’m very, very happy. Whether you like it, you don’t like it, the truth must be told. If you say, if you know how the President is working, come to Abuja. Take it from there. You know that the president is doing very, very well. So, I’m not here talking because of a party or no party”.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for signing into law three bills for the establishment of the Federal College of Education, Bende, Abia State, Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Item Bende, Abia State and the Federal University, Okigwe, Imo State.

Akpabio said by assenting to the Bills, Tinubu “demonstrated commitment to the development of the Southeast and efforts to heal the deep-seated wounds of the past.”

He said the establishment of the institutions would go a “long way to remove the nagging feelings of distrust and socio-economic marginalisation among the people of the Southeast.”

He also praised the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives,  Benjamin Kalu, who sponsored two of the Bills and other stakeholders in the Senate including the Deputy Whip, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, Deputy Minority Whip, Senator Osita Ngwu and main sponsor of one of the bills, Senator Patrick Ndubueze, for their exceptional leadership, effective representation and their commitment to the wellbeing of their people.

In a statement through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, the Senate President praised stakeholders in both the House of Representatives and the Senate for their steadfastness and support for the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.

The three institutions aim to provide quality education, research opportunities, and cater to the educational needs of the Southeast  and healthcare delivery to advance knowledge and improve health outcome in the region.

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Senator Akpabio said that the establishment of the institutions would mark a significant milestone in promoting education and development in the Southeast.

According to Senator Akpabio, I applaud President Tinubu for his inclusive leadership and demonstrated commitment to the development of the Southeast  and efforts to heal the deep-seated wounds of the past.

“The establishment of these institutions will go a long way to remove the nagging feelings of distrust and socio-economic marginalization among the people of the Southeast. I commend the President for his open-heartedness and unrestrained affection for the region.

“The significant support of leaders and lawmakers in ensuring the passage of these very important bills establishing these institutions is noteworthy and commendable.

“I call on the great Ndigbo people to continue to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration and position for strategic and progressive alliance with President Bola Tinubu,” he said.

Akpabio assured that the continued support of the South-East for the Tinubu administration will attract more dividends of democracy to the region.

President of the 10th Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has been lauded  for strategic, inclusive, and results-driven leadership since assumption of office in marking two years si on June 13, 2023.

The Special Assistant, Media to the President of the Senate, Jackson Udom, in a commemorative reflection titled “Akpabio: Diary of a Legislative Czar in the Red Chamber,” lauded Akpabio’s commitment to national consensus building for the development of the country.

Udom chronicled the achievements of the Senate President over the last 730 days, highlighting his role in stabilizing the Red Chamber, strengthening the legislative institution, and contributing to key national reforms.

“Senator Akpabio has demonstrated exceptional leadership, navigating complex legislative terrain with finesse and clarity of vision. His ability to balance competing interests, unite political factions, and drive forward the agenda of national development is a testament to his strategic insight,” Udom said.

He noted that from the outset, Akpabio’s emergence was not without challenges as he faced resistance from within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and skepticism from the opposition.

However, he said, backed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC leadership, Akpabio built the consensus needed to clinch the Senate presidency and immediately swung into action to reconcile various camps.

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He pointed out that one of the most contentious issues facing new Senate leaderships, the sharing of committee positions, was deftly handled.

Udom noted that Akpabio oversaw an inclusive process that ensured equitable distribution of chairmanships and deputy roles across party lines, preempting the friction that had undermined previous sessions.

“With deliberate strategy and tact, he ensured that no senator or bloc felt left out. That spirit of inclusion has engendered stability and unity in the Red Chamber,” Udom noted.

He said under Akpabio’s leadership, the Senate has passed several impactful legislations, including the 2025 Appropriation Act. He also played a key role in rallying legislative support for the removal of fuel subsidies, a policy long considered necessary but politically risky.

Udom described Akpabio’s role in the subsidy removal as a reflection of his courage and clarity in governance

“Rather than shy away from the policy, he stood with the executive, articulating the economic rationale and bringing the Senate along in support,” he said.

He added that beyond that, Akpabio’s Senate has prioritized laws and policies that promote economic growth, infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and national security.