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Step Down For Akpabio, S’South Group Tells Yari, Kalu, Izunaso
As the battle for the position of the president of the 10th Senate intensifies, an All Progressives Congress (APC) support group, South-South Solidarity Group, has implored Senators Abdulaziz Yari, Orji Kalu, and Osita Izunaso, to back down from the race so that Senator Godswill Akpabio can emerge Senate President.
The group made this call during a world press conference in Abuja, yesterday.
Celebrating Akpabio’s skill and pedigree, the SSSG convener, Peter Ikpen Ilefa, stressed Akapbio’s brilliance, noting that his emergence as Senate president would be beneficial to the nation.
He said, “Once again, we, the critical stakeholders within the political space of South-Southern Nigeria under the aegis of the South-South Solidarity Group have found it necessary to call on all Nigerians on the need to build a rock-solid foundation for the purposeful administration of our country under the new dawn in our body polity.
“For emphasis ours is the umbrella body of ALL socio-political organisations in the South-South region of Nigeria, while PANDEF is our clearing house.
“We are here to inundate the nation on the imperatives of the emergence of the new leadership of the 10th national assembly and the focus here today as usual is to demonstrate our solidarity for the emergence of distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio as the next Senate President of Nigeria and Sen. Jibrin Barau as Deputy Senate President.
“But for National Solidarity, we call on Senators Yari, Orji, and Osita to step down and support the consensus candidate of the APC in the interest of peace and respect for the Leadership of the party led by Mr. President. Today is the turn of Akpabio and Barau, tomorrow could be the turn of any of them and we will still be here to lend our onerous voice.
“Anything short of stepping down would mean fragrant disrespect to Mr. President who is determined to serve Nigeria by building a team he feels, will compliment his drive for a better and prosperous Nigeria.”
Ilefa stressed further the group’s repeated call on Nigerians to support Senator Akpabio and Sen. Barau’s intentions as the new heads of the 10th Senate.
“That day is the day destiny has beckoned on our candidate to lead the Nigerian Senate, and we call on the senators-elect to resist all attempts at cutting shot the dream of a new Nigeria.
“Senator Akpabio/Barau leadership of the 10th Nigerian Senate promises to be the pillar of support for the smooth administration of Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
“Over the years, both Sen Akpabio and Sen Barau have shown the world unrivaled capacity of being superlative leaders. Little wonder the Stability Group led by Senator Ali Ndume is rallying support behind their aspirations as Senate President and Deputy Senate President.
“Growing through the ranks of politics in Nigeria, Senator Akpabio has demonstrated immense competence in the management of human affairs, and this, he is bringing on board his leadership of the 10th Senate,” he said.
However, the group alleged that there are plans by some contestants to bribe senators-elect with a housing estate in Abuja “to vote for them in their defiant move to undermine the APC decision ceding the position of the 10th Senate Presidency to South-Southern Nigeria.
“We, however, sympathize with this move and also seize this opportunity to plead with our dear senators-elect that Nigerians are watching them to shun all forms of monetary inducement and vote rather for competence, justice, fairness, correctness, and a senate president that can stabilize the country.
“Our dear Senators-elect should consider the front burner issue in Nigeria, which is to elect a competent Christian to compliment the Muslim/Muslim ticket of the present administration.”
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.