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Akpabio, first Senate President from South in 16 years, risks Enwerem, Okadigbo treatment
Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President, who is the first Southerner to hold this position in 16 years, is currently facing a challenging battle to retain his seat. This opposition is emerging from both within and outside the ruling party.
Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa-Ibom State, is encountering resistance to his leadership style in the upper chamber, which many Nigerians now view as a “retirement home” for former governors. Notably, many of the lawmakers openly opposing him belong to the ruling party, APC.
Senator Ali Ndume, who previously coordinated Akpabio’s campaign, is engaged in an ongoing conflict with him. Elisha Abbo also spearheaded the anti-Akpabio movement until his removal from the House. Ndume has openly challenged Akpabio on two occasions, and their recent encounter led to Ndume walking out of the Chamber, although he later claimed he left to pray at the Mosque. However, Ndume is not widely perceived as a formidable adversary due to his history of opposing multiple Senate Presidents without a track record of success.
In 2015, he supported Bukola Saraki but was later unceremoniously removed as the Leader of the Senate after challenging the former Kwara State Governor. Abbo was also removed from the Senate following a court ruling.
Nevertheless, Akpabio’s challenges are not over. It’s worth noting that he did not secure an overwhelming victory in his Senate President election, with 63 votes to Abdulaziz Yari’s 46 votes. Insiders in the Senate have indicated that some senators see Yari as a viable alternative in the face of growing opposition against Akpabio.
The difficulty faced by Southern Senate Presidents may be related to the Senate’s composition. The South has 51 Senators, while the North has 58 Senators, and the majority of Southern Senators belong to opposition parties. Akpabio must exercise caution in managing Senators, many of whom are former Governors themselves.
The distribution of appointments by President Tinubu has not been favorable to Akpabio, as many Northern Senators have expressed dissatisfaction with what they perceive as the dominance of Yoruba appointments in the government. Akpabio has supported these appointments, which has further irked Northern Senators. However, many Senators are hesitant to go against President Tinubu due to their desire for better funding of the National Assembly, particularly with the upcoming 2024 budget presentation.
President Tinubu previously allocated N70 billion to lawmakers at the beginning of this Assembly, and for the first time, all National Assembly members will receive SUVs instead of the usual Toyota Camry. This has made Senators cautious about offending the President.
For now, Akpabio enjoys the support of the President and key figures like Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Opeyemi Bamidele, and Solomon Olamilekan who are there to protect him.
The Ogun State Government has donated N200 million to the Borno State Government in response to the severe flooding that recently devastated the area, causing significant property damage and displacing thousands of residents.
The flooding was triggered by the collapse of the Alau Dam in Maiduguri on September 10.
Reports indicate that at least 414,000 people have been displaced, with 30 lives lost due to the disaster.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun had previously sent condolences to the people and government of Borno, praising the state government’s swift actions and the support from the Federal Government.
Kayode Akinmade, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, stated on Saturday that the donation aims to aid flood victims and provide immediate relief. He noted the unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Borno State caused by the flooding and called on all Nigerians to help those in need.
Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has approved the appointment of chairpersons and members for various government agency boards and parastatals.
This initiative aims to facilitate the efficient operation of government activities and improve service delivery.
The announcement was made in a statement on Friday by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode.
The appointments, which include both full-time and part-time roles, will take effect on Monday, October 7, 2024.
Governor Oyebanji congratulated the new appointees, highlighting that their roles present valuable opportunities for public service. He encouraged them to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and ethical behavior in their duties.
Users of the Umuahia-Bende-Arochukwu-Ohafia road will soon heave a sigh of relief as the Federal Government has mobilized a new contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), to begin work on the collapsed sections of the road.
The mobilization of the new contractor followed a viral video by ABN TV titled “How Your Area,” which highlighted that the Onu Uduma Bridge, commonly known as Nmuri Bridge on the federal road, was on the verge of collapse.
The critical bridge, previously rehabilitated by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), has come under severe pressure due to repeated downpours and the movement of heavy-duty vehicles, which exposed it to structural threats.
The Federal Executive Council approved additional funds for the project, supplementing the money initially approved in 2018.
The arrival of CCECC equipment at the affected site on Wednesday has brought hope to the people of Ohafia and all users of the road. This follows the termination of the previous contractor, Heartland, whose contract was revoked due to issues concerning the quality of work.
Speaking on the arrival of the new contractor, the member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, Ibe Okwara Osonwa, stated that the progress was a result of his engagement with the Minister of Works, David Umahi, through the Abia State Government, to ensure repairs on the road and the Nmuri Bridge to prevent total collapse.
He expressed gratitude to Governor Alex Otti, his deputy, and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for their swift response to the road’s condition, but urged host communities to offer maximum cooperation to the contractor to ensure smooth and timely completion of the work.
CREDIT: DAILY POST
Maiduguri flood: Ogun Govt donates N200m to Borno State
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