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Akpabio Backing Kyari for Selfish Interests – Oshiomhole

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Senate President, Godswill Akpabio’s defence of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) is fueled by selfish and ulterior motives, including the employment of his daughter in the national oil major.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole levelled the allegations the weekend, while speaking on ‘Mic On Podcast’ hosted by Seun Okinbaloye.

The former Edo State Governor accused the Senate president of acting outside established parliamentary procedures in the handling of a recent Senate resolution distancing the Upper Chamber from comments made by the senator during an ongoing investigation into the affairs of NNPC Ltd.

The altercation comes amid growing political manoeuvring within the Senate ahead of the 2027 election cycle, with speculation mounting over the future leadership of the National Assembly.

Oshiomhole maintained that Akpabio acted improperly, stressing that the former Akwa Ibom governor had a personal interest in the matter and sought to single him out over comments he made during a Senate committee investigation into the oil company’s operations.

The senator recalled that his remarks arose after remarks by a former NNPC Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Umar Ajiya, who accused lawmakers of wanting to push their own children for employment in the organisation, and stressing that they wouldn’t do so if the national oil company was rotten.

“I think the Senate president has personal interest…Somebody told me that the Senate president’s daughter was taken without going through the regular interview process. That is his own problem,” Oshiomhole said, insisting that his comments were made in his personal capacity as a senator and not on behalf of the Senate.

ALSO READ: Dangote Foundation Distributes Rice to Cement Host Communities in Ogun

The former labour leader also defended the controversial recommendation by a Senate committee that a warrant be issued for the arrest of former NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, over his failure to honour invitations to appear before lawmakers investigating audit issues concerning the company.
According to Oshiomhole, Kyari failed to respond to at least nine invitations by the committee and did not provide formal explanations for his absence.

He further stood by his widely criticised statement that Kyari should be brought before the committee “dead or alive”, maintaining that the comment was made within the context of verifying claims that the former NNPC boss was receiving medical treatment abroad and was not intended as a threat.

The senator said the committee had exhausted all available options before recommending a bench warrant and insisted that the power was backed by constitutional provisions governing legislative oversight.

Beyond the immediate controversy, Oshiomhole alleged that powerful interests routinely frustrate legislative investigations involving NNPC.

He recalled a senate committee established to investigate disputes between NNPC and the Dangote Refinery over crude oil supply arrangements, claiming that despite being constituted and approved by the Senate, the panel was never allowed to commence work.

According to him, journalists had warned committee members at the time that no investigation involving NNPC had ever been allowed to reach a logical conclusion, a prediction he said eventually proved correct.

“As we speak, I have not been removed as a member of that committee. That committee has not been dissolved, but that committee was never allowed to sit after all the issues raised…they move around in the night, and then the following day, everywhere is quiet. I don’t want to be part of that tradition,” he emphasised.

The senator suggested that the latest disagreement between him and Akpabio stemmed from efforts to shield the oil company and certain individuals from scrutiny.

Oshiomhole also rejected suggestions that most senators opposed his position, claiming that more than 80 per cent of members supported him and disagreed with the Senate president’s handling of the matter.

The former APC national chairman further hinted at a personal dimension to the dispute, alleging that Akpabio deliberately sought to portray him as a controversial figure.

On whether tensions were linked to growing discussions about the 2027 senate presidency and speculation that he could emerge as a contender for the position, Oshiomhole did not answer directly, but implied that Akpabio already saw him as a threat.

He maintained that leadership positions ultimately depended on divine providence and not political calculations.

Oshiomhole said the senators are complaining about Akpabio’s style of leadership privately, explaining that if the senate president had the chance he would lock him out of the Upper Chamber. “If Akpabio has his way, he would lock me out of the Senate because he has misled himself into thinking that I’m probably the devil he knows,” Oshiomhole stated.

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‘Celebrate This Poor Man’ – Shettima Defends Tinubu Over Economic Crisis

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Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerians to celebrate President Bola Tinubu, saying his leadership saved the country from a potential implosion.

Shettima said Nigeria’s economy had been teetering on the edge of collapse before Tinubu’s intervention, adding that the country could have faced a different situation.

“The economy was teetering on the edge of collapse, we were on a cliff edge,” the Vice President said.

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“So he literally saved the nation from an implosion. That could have been the scenario. So, instead of demonizing him, Nigerians ought to celebrate this poor man.”

Shettima also called for a return to the drawing board, expressing confidence in the leadership’s commitment and the prospects for the 2027 elections.

“I believe on the bottom of my heart that with this presentation I have seen, and with the commitment of our leadership, by the grace of God, we are going to win,” he said.

Speaking about the 2027 elections, the Vice President reminded his audience that social media platforms should not be mistaken for actual polling stations.

“There are no polling stations on Facebook or Instagram,” he said.

Shettima also expressed gratitude for the efforts made towards promoting the cause of the 2027 elections.

 

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FG Withdraws Charges Against ‘Fake Agency’ DG, Adeniyi Adeyemi

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Contempt: Four SANs to be Served by Courier

Following observed mis-steps, the Federal Government of Nigeria has withdrawn the eight-count criminal charge brought against the alleged fake Director General (DG) of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi.

Biztellers reports that the matter, in accordance with the counsel of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, (SAN), the matter will be filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), instead of the Federal High Court (FHC).

Consequently, upon an unopposed application for termination by the prosecution counsel and Director of the Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), on Monday, Justice Mohammed Umar of a Federal High Court, Abuja on Monday, struck out the matter.

READ ALSO: Shell Identifies Keys to Nigeria’s Energy Future

In a motion for the termination of the charges, Oyedepo informed the court that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice has carried out a review of the case file of Adeyemi and the charge filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and found some loopholes.

The DPPF added that the documents allegedly forged by Adeyemi during his operations of the fake agency are those that can be prosecuted by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He also informed the court that a new charge has been filed at the High Court of the FCT and that Adeyemi would be expeditiously arraigned afresh.

He therefore urged the judge to strike out the charge as required by law.

Following no objections from Ibrahim Angulu (SAN), who stood in for Adeyemi, Justice Umar subsequently terminated the charge.

Adeniyi, 38, was being tried alongside two others whose whereabouts are unknown, on charges bordering on conspiracy and forgery.

The two others said to be at large were identified as Femi (surname unknown) and Anu (surname unknown).

The charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2025, was entered against the defendant by the DPPF.

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Shell Identifies Keys to Nigeria’s Energy Future

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To secure a bright energy for her teeming population, Nigeria must sustain the momentum of reform, accelerate investment, and deepen partnerships.

This view was expressed by Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company of Nigeria Limited (SNEPCo) Ronald Adams in Lagos at the weekend.

Delivering a keynote address at the Africa Energy Conference (AEC) of the Lagos Business School (LBS), Adams called for regulatory certainty through efficient execution of reforms, sustained investment appeal to enable projects to move more swiftly from opportunity to production and partnership by operators, regulators, NNPC Limited and communities to unlock the full value of Nigeria’s resources.

Adams cited Nigeria’s huge oil and gas resources as an advantage but pointed out: “Resources alone do not guarantee prosperity. Prosperity comes when resources are matched with investment, technology, sound policy and disciplined execution. Success will be determined not by the size of our resources, but by our ability to convert them into investment and economic growth.”

Adams pledged the support of Shell towards a bright energy future of Nigerians. He said: “For more than six decades, Shell has been part of Nigeria’s energy journey. Together with our partners, we have helped develop major energy infrastructure, supported Nigerian businesses, invested in talent, and contributed to economic development. Bonga remains a powerful example of what technology, partnership and Nigerian capability can achieve in deepwater operations. Today, that story continues through Bonga North.”

READ ALSO: ADF Targets 5 Million Students, 2 Million Vulnerable Women

Issuing a clarion call for action by all stakeholders, he added: “The world is not standing still. Capital is moving, technology is advancing and competition is intensifying. The countries that attract investment tomorrow are those that improve competitiveness today. Nigeria has begun that journey. Our task is to sustain the momentum and translate reform into projects, projects into growth, and growth into shared prosperity.”

The conference, the 4th in the series had at its theme; “Securing Nigeria’s Energy Future: Policy Reform, Capital Mobilisation, and Pathways to a Sustainable Power and Energy Market” and was attended by top government officials, industry captains, energy professionals, and students.

Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat represented Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the guest of honour. SNEPCo was a principal sponsor of the Africa Energy Conference (AEC) and mounted a well-received exhibition on its deepwater operations and social investments across Nigeria.

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