News
APC Decides NASS, BoT, Other Leadership Positions; N’Central, N’East Get Senate President, Deputy …S’East Clinches SGF, BoT Scribe …S’West, S’South Run Away With House Speaker, Deputy
From Right: Exxon Mobil’s lead Country Manager, Mark Ward and SPE Council Chairman, Engr. Adeyemi Akinlawon cheering the Petroleum Minister’s speech at the opening ceremony of 35th Edition of Society of Engineers’ conference and Exhibition at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, recently
The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday finally concluded plans to zone the leadership positions in the National Assembly, Board of Trustees (BoT), and other executive positions, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and strategic party offices to the various sections of the country.
The Tide authoritatively gathered that the APC leadership, yesterday, agreed to zone the office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives to the South-West, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to the South-East.
The APC leadership also zoned the post of Senate President to the North-Central, the office of Deputy Senate President to the North-East, and the position of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives to the South-South.
It further zoned the office of the Chief Whip of the Senate to North-West, the position of the Chief Whip of the House of Representatives to the North-Central while the post of Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives is zoned to South-East, just as the position of Majority Leader of the Senate is zoned to South-West.
The Tide investigations show that the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives was given to the North-East, Deputy Majority Leader of the Senate was allocated to the North-West, while the position of the Deputy Majority Leader of the House of Representatives went to the North-Central.
The APC leadership also considered the allocation of offices in the Board of Trustees and the party’s national executive committee to certain zones in the country.
In the new structure, The Tide learnt that the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the APC is zoned to the North-East, while the South-East is given the position of the secretary of the BoT.
The posts of national chairman and national secretary of APC, remain in the South-South and North-East, respectively.
It would be recalled that the APC won majority seats in both the Senate and House of Representatives in the March 28 poll.
In the Senate, APC secured 60 seats while the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) got 49 slots. In the House, APC secured more than 250 seats while the PDP got a little above 100.
Impeccable sources had predicted that the Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Senator Ahmad Lawan, who hails from Yobe State in the North-East would be the next Senate President.
Lawan, is one of the most experienced lawmakers in the Senate, had spent two terms in the House between 1999 and 2007, and was elected into the Senate in 2007, before his reelection in 2011. He will be serving his third term in the Senate from June 2015.
But with the next structure the leadership of the party has adopted, Lawan may simply get the post of Deputy Senate President, while former governor of Kwara State, Senator Bukola Saraki (North-Central), may clinch the post of Senate President.
Saraki, a member of the New PDP that coalesced into the APC, if given the coveted seat, would have been consoled for the sacrifices the Rivers State Governor and Director-General of the Buhari Campaign Organisation, Chibuike Amaechi-led group made for the success of the opposition party in the just-concluded elections.
The indications are that the House Minority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (South-West), may get the post of Majority Leader of the Senate.
The former governor of Benue State and Senate Minority Leader, Senator George Akume (North-Central), has been angling for the Senate Presidency since 2007, when he was first elected as a senator, and has been lobbying his colleagues for their support to clinch the position.
“Zoning the office to the North-East will be a deliberate attempt to shut out Akume and Saraki. We will resist this,” a senator claimed.
Though PDP has lost its majority status in the incoming Eighth Assembly scheduled for inauguration on June 6, Senate President, David Mark is still exploring the possibility of a division within the ranks of APC to make a deft move for the office.
Mark is already reaching out to some APC senators for support while holding firmly to the PDP senators in the event that the contest is thrown open.
Former governor of Zamfara State, Senator Ahmed Yerima, is reportedly backing Mark’s third term bid despite the fact that the Senate’s configuration is not in his favour. Mark has a solid war chest to sway senators to his side if APC fails to manage the situation.
However, an aide of Saraki said at the weekend that nothing would stand in the way of the former governor from clinching the post of Senate president.
“Senator Saraki has made enough sacrifice for the APC and he is eminently qualified for the Senate president.
“I can tell you that Senator Saraki has shown interest in the Senate Presidency. He has been holding consultations with party leaders, stakeholders and his colleagues across party lines on how to realise his ambition. So, we are waiting for the position of the party leadership on the zoning of the National Assembly positions for us to decide on the next line of action,” he added.
The Rivers State Government has commended the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) for its outstanding contributions to the development of Rivers State, particularly in the areas of peacebuilding, education, healthcare, and moral development.
Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, stated that the Church has remained a dependable partner in promoting peace, unity, justice, moral discipline, and social harmony across society.
The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, made the remarks during the thanksgiving service marking the 30th Anniversary and First Session of the 11th Synod of the Diocese of Niger Delta North, held at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Sunday.
Governor Fubara described the Synod’s theme, “Kingdom Advancement: The Priority of Every Believer,” as timely and relevant, considering the prevailing realities in society.
According to him, the Church continues to play a vital role in shaping societal values and inspiring hope among citizens.
“The Church remains a vital partner in promoting peace, unity, justice, and moral discipline. Its role in shaping values and inspiring hope cannot be overemphasized,” he stated.
The Governor further acknowledged the Anglican Communion’s contributions in education, healthcare delivery, youth empowerment, humanitarian services, and spiritual guidance across communities in Rivers State.
“The Rivers State Government appreciates the invaluable contributions of the Anglican Communion in education, healthcare, youth development, humanitarian support, and spiritual guidance. Your impact across communities in Rivers State continues to strengthen families and promote peaceful coexistence among our people,” he added.
Governor Fubara reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a peaceful, united, and prosperous Rivers State where all citizens can thrive irrespective of religion, ethnicity, or social background.
He also urged the Synod to continue praying for sustainable development and progress in Rivers State and Nigeria at large.
Earlier in his sermon, the Guest Minister, Joseph Olushola, spoke on the topic, “Kingdom Investment and Internal Rewards,” urging Christians to remain faithful stewards of God’s blessings and committed to advancing God’s kingdom through service and generosity.
The cleric emphasized that believers are custodians of the virtues and resources entrusted to them by God, stressing that divine rewards are based on faithfulness and impact rather than material possessions.
The Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, in partnership with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), has reaffirmed support for efforts to expand gas distribution infrastructure in Rivers State as part of initiatives aimed at improving access to affordable, cleaner and more reliable energy for industries across the South-South region.
The commitment was highlighted during the SNG–MAN Business Forum held in Port Harcourt, where stakeholders from the industrial and public sectors examined the role of natural gas in driving industrialisation, boosting local production and strengthening energy security.
Speaking at the forum on behalf of the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, the company’s Head of Gas Distribution, Mr. Chukwuka Amos Ejesi, described natural gas as a critical component of Nigeria’s energy mix and a key driver of sustainable industrial growth.
According to him, Nigeria’s gas development agenda has reached a stage where policy direction must be matched with practical implementation capable of addressing the energy challenges confronting manufacturers.
He noted that pipeline gas offers industries a cleaner, more dependable and cost-effective energy alternative capable of supporting uninterrupted operations, reducing emissions and improving production efficiency.
“Gas is the backbone of manufacturing, and we are encouraged by the growing recognition among stakeholders of the need for cleaner and more reliable energy solutions,” he said.
Ejesi stressed the need for sustained collaboration among energy providers, government institutions and industrial stakeholders to maximise the country’s gas resources for economic development.
He added that improved gas infrastructure would strengthen manufacturing value chains, enhance productivity and promote more competitive industrial operations across Rivers State and the wider South-South region.
Participants at the forum also emphasised the importance of expanding energy infrastructure as a pathway to unlocking industrial capacity, reducing operating costs and promoting sustainable industrial development.
Representing Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Director-General of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to partnering with private sector investors to revitalise industrial activities in the state.
He identified key projects targeted under the initiative to include the revival of the Ahoada Industrial Park, the New Port City project and the proposed Bonny Industrial Park, all aimed at stimulating economic growth and expanding industrial opportunities along the Bonny corridor.
According to the governor, the long-term vision is to position Rivers State as a leading manufacturing hub in Southern Nigeria through strategic public-private partnerships.
Governor Fubara also commended Shell Nigeria Gas and MAN for sustaining engagements geared towards improving industrial energy access, noting that gas infrastructure development remains central to the state’s economic recovery plans.
He further observed that the gas sector presents enormous opportunities for economic growth, especially as global energy systems continue to shift towards cleaner energy sources.
The governor called on stakeholders to work collectively towards developing a practical and sustainable gas framework capable of supporting the state’s industrial and energy development objectives.
By; Kevin Nengia
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, has charged newlywed couples to build their marriages on the virtues of love and submission as taught in the Word of God.
Prof. Odu gave the charge at the wedding ceremony of Amblessed Favour Sunny-Cookey and Samson Jesuganji at Lifegate Power Ministries, Dominion Cathedral, in Port Harcourt on Saturday, 16th May 2026.
The Deputy Governor congratulated the couple on beginning a new phase of life together and prayed for God’s blessings upon their union, noting that the couple had been raised by godly parents and encouraged them to uphold the Christian values instilled in them.
Referring to the sermon delivered during the ceremony, Prof. Odu emphasized that the principles of love and submission remain fundamental to a successful marriage.
According to her, genuine love reflects the nature of God, stressing that love should remain the foundation of the couple’s relationship as they journey through life together.
Prof. Odu further prayed for enduring peace, happiness, and progress in the home, expressing confidence that the marriage would continue to flourish under God’s guidance.
The Deputy Governor also commended the families of the couple for their support and upbringing, while urging the newlyweds to always remember the significance of the day and the commitment they had made before God and witnesses.
In his sermon at the wedding, the Founder and Presiding Pastor of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, stated that marriage did not originate from Western culture, traditions, or human ideas, but from God, whom he described as the “manufacturer” of marriage.
According to the cleric, couples seeking lasting and peaceful homes must rely on biblical principles rather than societal trends or assumptions.
He explained that many marital crises and rising divorce rates stem from ignorance and failure to apply scriptural teachings in family life.
Drawing from the biblical parable of building a house on a rock, Pastor Ibiyeomie said the Word of God remains the only solid foundation capable of sustaining marriages through challenges and difficult times.
He noted that marriage naturally comes with unexpected realities and pressures, stressing that religious ceremonies or cultural practices alone are not enough to sustain a home without proper understanding of God’s instructions.
The pastor further warned that ignorance of scripture remains one of the greatest weapons against believers, urging Christians to study and practice the Word of God rather than merely attending church services.
It would be recalled that the bride is the daughter of Pastor Sunny Cookey the Founder and Presiding Pastor of Lifegate Ministries. The Ceremony had lots of Ministers in attendance which includes Apostle Zilly Aggrey, Pastor George Izunwa, and Bishop Winston Iwo