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History Will be Favourable to Akpabio, CSO
Rising up for a United Nigeria (RUN) on Tuesday dismissed allegations of disharmony on the floor of the Senate and insinuations that the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio is unilaterally passing Bills without a two third majority as required in the constitution and Senate bye laws.
In a statement released to journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, Amb. Solomon Adodo, the National Convener of RUN hailed Senator Godswill Akpabio for his patriotic zeal and his impeccable ability to manage the Senate even when most Senators have abandoned their legislative duties.
Hear him, “what played out today is clearly an indictment to those Senators that have absconded and probably only show up when there is something of direct benefit to them. It has also served to present Senator Akpabio as a patriot who is determined to keep the Senate going regardless of the number that attend sittings. The issue of two third majority can only arise when Senators all come for sittings. Those who claim not to know when Bills are passed should tell their constituents their whereabouts rather than resorting to blame games”
RUN also praised the Senate under Akpabio for working tirelessly with Mr. President to give average Nigerians laws that will galvanise the country and create an enabling environment for government to deliver the needed services especially in the area of job creation, poverty reduction and a stable economy, remarking further that, this a positive development and history will definitely be kind to Akpabio who is unwavering in his dedication to the country. The swift passage of Bills is very much required at this time to give the Executive the required filip to address the present and emerging challenges facing Nigeria at the moment.
“It is false to misconstrue the amiable relationship between the legislature especially the Senate and the Executive arm of government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as rubber stamping. The legislature must not be at cross-purposes with the legislature. The harmonious relationship currently being enjoyed by the two arms of government is simply a product of shared vision and mission. Those expecting a fight to break out so they can exploit it should hide their faces in shame because that will not happen”, he added.
Amb. Solomon Adodo also dismissed as baseless, utterances from certain quarters that Senator Godswill Akpabio will be impeached as the Senate President. He insisted that, “instead of coming for Akpabio’s head, Nigerians should call on Senators to take their responsibilities seriously and desist from blaming their principal officers for decisions taken in the open for the good of all Nigerians when some Senators are absent from Senate sittings and proceedings. We are aware that some individuals in the Senate feel uncomfortable with the cordial working relationship between the Senate and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Others are aggrieved at thier losses at the Court and are seeking ways of building negative narratives against the Senate President. However, empirical checks indicate that a vast majority of Senators are very comfortable with the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio and also believe in the policy direction of President Tinubu. We are therefore sure that stability will prevail in the Senate for the good of all Nigerians.”
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to retract his publicly disparaging remarks made recently against the socio-political body.
PANDEF described as regrerrable and embarrassing comments by Wike in the aftermath of the group’s visit to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, even to the extent of insulting the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin.
Recall that the FCT minister had, on Thursday, during a media chat, described PANDEF as “the worst organisation anybody can rely on”, while also calling the board of trustee members of the body “political merchants”.
In a statement signed by PANDEF Chairman on Saturday in Abuja, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, urged President Tinubu as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent.
Igali clarified that the meeting with the president provided a valuable platform to discuss pressing issues of national and regional importance. Adding that “PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region.”
His words: ^To set the record straight, PANDEF the foremost socio-political body representing the South-South regions, composed of some of Nigeria’s most distinguished personalities. The delegation to Mr. President included chairpersons of at least four of the six SouthSouth states’ traditional councils, senior traditional rulers of major ethnic groups, former governors, past presiding officers of the Senate, prominent entrepreneurs, academics, and high-ranking retired military officers.
“It is, therefore, highly regrettable and totally unacceptable that a serving minister in the Federal Government would exhibit such brazen disrespect towards individuals of this standing. This attitude perhaps explains his continued refusal of the Minister to engage with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which PANDEF constituted as far back as October 2024, despite repeated attempts to reach.
“The Honourable Minister (Wike) characterized PANDEF as the worst organization ever” and accused its members of visiting the Presidential Villa merely to solicit financial favors. These statements are not only false but also unbecoming of a public official of his stature.
“PANDEF hereby calls upon Mr. President, as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent Nigerians and traditional rulers who were, after all, esteemed guests of the Commander-in-Chief. It is apt to remind that the Minister does not own the Niger-Delta and his errant conduct should not be condoned.
“Notwithstanding this regrettable development, PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region,” Igali stated.
On efforts to restore peace in River State, Igali restated PANDEF’s commitment for peace in the oil-rich State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which remains committed to resolving the Rivers State crisis,” Igali stated.
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IPOB’s lawyer accuses Anambra govt of violating citizens’ rights, wants all arrested charged to court
The counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has called on the Anambra State Government to either charge to court or release individuals allegedly detained for the past five weeks without trial.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Ejiofor criticized what he described as “violations of citizens’ rights,” emphasizing that the detainees have not been presented before any court or formally charged with a crime.
“Today, March 15, 2025, marks five full weeks since several citizens of Anambra State were arbitrarily arrested and detained in a private facility controlled by the state government. Shockingly, they have not been charged with any offense or brought before any court of law. This is a flagrant violation of their fundamental rights,” Ejiofor stated.
He expressed concern that the detainees were not held by the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), or the military, but instead in an undisclosed facility, without any official explanation from the government.
Ejiofor, who has previously supported the government’s security efforts, urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to ensure the rule of law is upheld.
“I have always championed active citizen participation in combating insecurity and have publicly urged the government to act against criminal elements. However, this must be done legally and transparently,” he said.
While commending the efforts of the state’s Agụnechemba security outfit, Ejiofor insisted that professionalism and adherence to due process are crucial.
He reaffirmed his support for lawful measures to combat crime but warned that arbitrary detentions could erode public trust in the government’s security strategy.
The Osun State Amotekun Corps has denied allegations of nepotism in its ongoing recruitment of 1,000 cadets, following claims by some dismissed recruits that they were removed in favor of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members.
Some affected candidates, seen outside the NYSC camp venue in Osogbo, alleged they were removed due to their affiliation with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking on behalf of the group, a dismissed cadet, Usman, claimed that they had been in camp since Sunday before being replaced by PDP members, some of whom, he alleged, were unfit for training.
However, Amotekun’s Board Chairman, retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Wale Abass, dismissed the allegations as baseless. He explained that those removed from the training camp either failed to meet the required standards or did not follow the proper recruitment process.
“The 1,000 cadets invited for training went through a rigorous selection process. They submitted applications online, underwent document verification, and passed physical fitness tests before being invited to camp,” Abass stated.
He further revealed that some unqualified individuals managed to gain access to the camp, while some selected candidates failed to meet the reporting deadline. Those with health issues were also disqualified.
Abass reaffirmed that the Amotekun Corps remains committed to fairness and impartiality in its recruitment process. He described the allegations as an attempt to create confusion and undermine the security outfit’s credibility.
PANDEF Clarifies Visit To Tinubu, Knocks Wike Over Inflammatory Comments
IPOB’s lawyer accuses Anambra govt of violating citizens’ rights, wants all arrested charged to court
Osun Amotekun recruits accuse Adeleke’s govt of nepotism
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