Politics
APC, Tinubu Reportedly Reverse Support For Akpabio In 10th NASS Leadership
Yesterday, there were strong indications that the prospects of former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, in the race for Senate President in the 10th National Assembly may have suffered a setback.
It was reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has allegedly withdrawn his support for Akpabio, signaling a potential roadblock in his candidacy.
It is worth noting that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had previously announced the endorsement of Senator Godswill Akpabio and three other candidates for key positions in the National Assembly.
Senator Godswill Akpabio, hailing from the South-South region, received an endorsement for the position of Senate President, Senator Jubrin Barau, representing the North-West region, was endorsed for the position of Deputy Senate President, Tajudeen Abass, also from the North-West, was endorsed for the role of Speaker in the House of Representatives, while Kanu, representing the South-East region, was endorsed for the position of Deputy Speaker.
The endorsements made by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the key positions in the National Assembly have faced criticism and opposition from certain party members, particularly those who have aspirations for the presiding offices in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
As a result of the protests and condemnations that followed the party’s endorsements, senators primarily from the South West region have scheduled a meeting for tomorrow.
During this meeting, they intend to discuss and potentially reconsider their stance on the selection of Senate leadership, indicating a potential shift in their position.
As per a senator from the South West region, the scheduled meeting is primarily intended for senators from that zone to be informed about the outcomes of a crucial meeting among the leading group of senators-elect, which is set to take place on Thursday.
It has been strategically arranged for some members to attend this meeting.
Allegedly, President Bola Tinubu has taken heed of the advice from his trusted political allies and has tacitly withdrawn his support for Senator Godswill Akpabio, the former governor of Akwa Ibom State.
Sources suggest that the President is determined to govern with a focus on eradicating corruption, and he intends to strengthen existing policies and institutions dedicated to anti-corruption efforts in order to achieve this objective.
In his inaugural speech, Tinubu declared pointedly that his government would take” proactive steps such as championing a credit culture to discourage corruption, while strengthening the effectiveness and efficiency of the various anti-corruption agencies.”
With this statement, the source said ”most of us have come to the full realization of the fact that President Bola Tinubu would not for anything support any senator with myriads of cases of corruption in the anti-graft agencies after declaring before the world that he would strengthen and make them more effective.”
A senator from one of the state in the S-West confided in Vanguard: “We have seen the follies in remaining in this camp, it will not work. We have fixed a meeting for Thursday where we are going to chart our next line of action.”
However, the Director General for the Akpabio/Barau Stability Group, Senator Ali Ndume, APC, Borno South, said in his reaction to the development yesterday: “It is not surprising that whenever a politically exposed person is contesting elections, some people would be sponsored to raise issues against him or her.
“Don’t forget that President Bola Tinubu was also severally accused when he was campaigning to be president.”
“We are not actually bothered about what the sponsored groups are saying about Akpabio, the anti-graft agencies know what to do. Why are they teaching them what to do?
“They are alleging that some corrupt activities took place under his watch at the NDDC but they did not say he misappropriated funds as governor or as minister.
“Akpabio was not the accounting officer of the NDDC, he only supervised the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
“They also accused him of not constituting the board of the NDDC but that also was not his job. The president of the country is saddled with such responsibility.”
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers has declared that nothing will prevent the upcoming local government election from holding, despite resistance from the state’s police command.
In the early hours of Friday, Fubara personally visited the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISEC) office in Port Harcourt.
The facility, where electoral materials are stored, had been barricaded by police operatives.
Read More: ‘I Turned Down Puma’ Wizkid Explains Why Puma Chose Davido Over Him
The police presence, which was seen as a blockade, quickly dispersed after Fubara arrived at the scene, accompanied by lawmakers and government officials.
Their departure followed the governor’s strong opposition to the actions of the police.
The Rivers State police command had earlier announced that it would not provide security for the election, citing a federal high court order from Abuja.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the state’s police spokesperson, clarified that the decision was in compliance with the court’s directive.
However, Fubara dismissed the need for police security and criticized the police’s involvement.
He claimed that Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP), was acting under the influence of Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT) and former Rivers governor.
“We came here this morning when we heard that the Nigeria police were taking over the RISEC premises. I had to come myself to find out why such a thing would happen,” Fubara said during his visit.
He questioned the interpretation of the court ruling, emphasizing that it did not explicitly stop the election from taking place.
“The judgment said don’t give the voter register and police, don’t provide security. But is that the same thing as blocking the election?” he asked.
Fubara insisted that the election would proceed regardless of police support, citing a similar situation in Anambra where elections were conducted without police security.
“We don’t need your security. We will provide our own,” he said, reaffirming his commitment to seeing the election through.
In a fiery speech, Fubara warned that the only way to stop the election would be if he were shot.
“I will be here. This is my property. You don’t have any power whatsoever to bar me from entering it,” he declared, adding that any attempt to do so would mark a dark chapter in the history of the IGP.
The governor’s stance has raised tensions in Rivers as the election date approaches, with both the local population and political observers closely watching the developments.
“The election will hold, results will be declared, and people will be sworn in,” Fubara vowed.
Fubara’s comments signal a deepening rift between the state government and federal security agencies, further complicating the already fraught political atmosphere in Rivers.
The coming days will determine whether the governor’s resolve will prevail or whether legal and security challenges will force a postponement of the polls.
In a dramatic turn of events on Friday, protesters stormed the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) office, demanding the local government elections proceed as planned.
Despite heavy rainfall, the demonstrators, chanting “Election must hold,” set up canopies, blocked part of the road, and beat drums in defiance of security concerns.
The protest followed an early morning confrontation between the Rivers State governor and security forces.
The governor had rushed to the RSIEC premises after reports emerged that the Rivers State Police Command intended to take control of the office, a move seen by many as an attempt to disrupt the election set for Saturday.
Read Also: Court Bars VIO From Stopping Vehicles, Fining Drivers In Abuja
In an impassioned response, the governor vowed that the elections would not be derailed. “Keep your security, I do not need it. This election must hold on Saturday. The results will be declared, and the winners will be sworn in,” he said, recalling a similar situation in Anambra State.
Earlier on Friday, security operatives reportedly thwarted an attempt by individuals disguised in police uniforms to gain access to the RSIEC office. The intruders allegedly tried to break into the commission’s gates and strong room in a bid to seize sensitive electoral materials intended for the polls.
The pre-election atmosphere in Rivers State remains charged, with security concerns escalating as voters and officials prepare for Saturday’s local government elections.
Tensions escalated at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Port Harcourt on Thursday as protests broke out ahead of the upcoming Local Government elections, scheduled for October 5, 2024.
Large crowds of demonstrators gathered at the secretariat, prompting a heavy security presence to control the situation and manage the traffic disruption caused by the unrest.
Read Also: Aliou Cissé Dismissed As Senegal Coach After Historic Nine-Year Tenure
According to reports, the protests were fueled by concerns over the delayed release of the 2023 Voters’ Register by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
Protesters voiced frustration over the legal challenges that have complicated the electoral process just days before the election.
The situation intensified after a Federal High Court ruling on September 30, 2024, in which Justice Peter Lifu barred INEC from releasing the voters’ register to RSIEC.
The court’s decision stemmed from ongoing legal disputes regarding the legitimacy of the election process.
Despite the legal roadblocks, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has insisted that the elections will proceed as planned.
Fubara, citing a prior Supreme Court ruling that mandates all Nigerian states must hold democratically elected local government elections, expressed confidence that the election will take place on schedule.
The delay in the release of the voters’ register has raised questions about the transparency and fairness of the upcoming election, intensifying political tensions in Rivers State.
Authorities are on high alert, working to ensure that the situation does not spiral further ahead of the scheduled election date.
Mike Bamiloye Backs Adeboye’s Apology On Tithing Misinterpretation
Nollywood Actor Saheed Balogun Mourns Daughter, Zeenat
BBnaija S9 Finale: Eight Finalists Compete For N100 Million Grand Prize
Trump-Endorsed Bibles Stir Controversy In Oklahoma’s $3m School Plan
Old Video Of Wike Campaigning Against Godfather Syndrome Resurfaces
‘Return The Tithe’, Charly Boy Calls Out Pastor Adeboye After Apology
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
Adeosun: We are investing in infrastructure to grow the private sector
Shell launches Nigeria campaign on energy efficiency
