By Hassan Taiye

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has once again assured Nigerians that the 10th Senate under his leadership will remain open, accountable and responsive.

Akpabio gave the assurance on Tuesday in his address to welcome his Distinguished colleagues back in Plenary after about 10 weeks of annual recess.

In the welcome address titled: “Steady Hands For a Great Nation,” Akpabio said: “To the citizens of Nigeria, we say this: we hear you. We know your expectations. You ask not for excuses but for results; not for noise but for substance.

“This Senate will remain open, accountable, and responsive. We will not shrink from scrutiny — indeed, we welcome it, for accountability is the lifeblood of democracy.

“But it must be clearly understood: the foundation of every democracy is its legislature. Those who seek to weaken the legislature, in truth, seek to wreck the substructure of democracy itself.”

The Senate President commiserated with fellow compatriots across the flood-ravaged states and extended hand of fellowship and prayers of comfort to every home affected by other disasters, insecurity, hunger and hardship.

Akpabio charged his Distinguished colleagues to resume work with fresh vigour and steadfast resolve and legislate for future generations.

He said: “Our people do not look to us for lamentations; they look to us for action. The banners of terrorism and banditry still threaten the countryside.

“The cost of living weighs upon the family table like an iron chain. The flickering of our national grid leaves cities in darkness and commerce in paralysis.

“These trials summon us to service of uncommon urgency — and to partnership with the Executive Arm, that together we rewrite the story of our nation.

“We must legislate with boldness. We must press forward with reforms to steady our economy, draw investment, broaden the tax base, and nurture growth.

“We must strike hard at the enemies of ignorance and disease by strengthening education and healthcare. We must give the youths of Nigeria not only hope but opportunity.

“We must revisit the Constitution — to make our federalism stronger, our governance were efficient, and our democracy more inclusive.

“Above all, we must wield our power of oversight with vigilance, so that the people’s money is spent for the people’s good.

“Our relations with the Executive shall remain frank and firm — neither obsequious nor obstructive. Where policies raise our people, we shall lend our strength; where they imperil them, we shall speak on their behalf.

“We must continue to uphold the independence of this Senate, the dignity of this chamber, and the majesty of the Constitution which governs us all.

“Distinguished colleagues, let history record that in our time, we did not shirk from truth, nor flinch from responsibility, but urged our people toward leaders worthy of their trust.

“Let us resume our work with fresh vigour and steadfast resolve. Let us legislate not only for the Nigeria of today but for the generations whose faces we shall never see.

“Let this Senate be remembered as an instrument of national transformation, a citadel of democracy, and a beacon of hope.”

▪︎▪︎▪︎APC/PDP Renew Battle For Control of the Soul of the Plateau.

By: Special Correspondent.

All roads led to Jos, the Plateau state capital last Saturday, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led APC Governers, ministers and top government officials, for the burial of Madam Lydia Yilwatda Goshwe; mother of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Professor Nantawe Yilwatda.

Madam Yilwatda, who died penultimate week, was buried with pop and peagentry, which started with the service of songs on Friday, through a church service at the COCIN headquarters, before the final interment at Kanke
Our correspondent reports that, while burial activities were going on, a serious political drama was equally playing out on the sidelines.
It was an occassion of tears and Tributes, on one hand, just as it was a test of political strength, on the other, with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state and the APC re-enacting the battle for the soul of the plateau, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Emotions poured out as various speakers paid glowing tributes to the late APC Chairman’s Mother, with
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in particular, describes the late matriah of the Goshwe lineage as “a woman of deep faith and boundless love,”.
Tinubu said that her legacy of service and sacrifice to humanity will continue to inspire generations.
To the Plateau state Governor, Caleb Manaseh, the funeral of Mama Lydia Yilwatda brought honour to Plateau state with President Tinubu’s attendance.
While thanking the President for honouring the people of Plateau with his presence, he described it as a gesture of love and unity.
The chief mourner Proffessor Nantawe poured out his emotions as he spoke about his mother’s strength.
He said, in a cracking voice,how “At age 36, doctors said she had only two years to live—but God gave her 47 more. She lived for others and gave everything to her family.”
In thanking President Tinubu and the Progressive Governors Forum, as well as the people of Plateau for their support, promising to carry his mother’s lessons of faith and service into his new role as APC National Chairman, Professor Yilwatda said the pains of the loss has been cushioned by the general show of solidarity.
Our correspondent who has been in Jos however reports that, the funeral wasn’t just a farewell to the Chairman’s mother, it was a rhedezvous for political leaders who thronged Jos to register their allegiance and scheme against 2027.
The Plateau state government rolled out the drums to welcome the President to Jos, but not without a show of the political strength of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the ruling party on the Plateau.
Ahead of President Tinubu’s arrival to the coal city, every electric pole in Jos city was darbed in the flag of the PDP, while strategic roundabouts were adorned with welcome banners for the President.
Findings indicate that Governor Caleb Muftwang had ordered all government officials to avail themselves of the presidential visit and deployed logistics for participation in the burial.
The All Progressives Congress, which Chairman is from the state, had its own plans to make a political statement with the burial.
Prominent politicians who are from Plateau state have been holding meetings and strategizing on how to turn the apple cart in 2027 by retaking the state from the PDP.
The APC stalwarts are planning to show their disapproval of Governor Caleb Muftwangs reluctance to accept President Tinubus offer of a softlanding if he decamps to the APC.
Our findings reveal that the governor had initially agreed to move into the APC at his meeting with the president, only to renege.
As part of plans to show their resolve of taking Plateau from the PDP, the entire Federal Government structure, led by the President, as well as that of states governed by the APC relocated to Jos, during the burial.
Since Friday, when the burial rites started, Jos was turned into a political battlefield with the APC and PDP showing of their followerships.
Placard bearing youth with various inscriptions lined up the streets as support groups fall over themselves in trying to impress President Tinubu, while the PDP worked underground to show that they are in charge in Plateau.
In the residences of former Governor Simon Bako Lalong, former deputy Governor Pauline Tallen and Senator I D Gyang, the national coordinator of Team Tinubu 2027, political consultations continued throughout the night, on the best strategies to outshine the PDP during the burial.
Before leaving Jos, President Bola Tinubu held meetings with church leaders on how to win the sympathy of Northern Christians in the face of perceived challenges from the core northern states.
A source close to Governor Muftwang told our correspondent that, plateau people were not bothered by the heavy presence of APC jaguarnauts, arguing that, since they were all imported to intimidate the PDP, the people of Plateau will eventually decide, who governs the state in 2027.
But a prominent member of the Team Tinubu 2027, who prefers anonimity told National Trail, that, the burial seemed to show the overwhelming popularity of the APC in Plateau.
He confirmed that most political figures in Plateau have accepted to work for President Tinubu from the background, even if they may not officially decamp to the APC.
Governor Muftwang seem to suggest in his own speech during the funeral, that, he is prepared to work for the Renewed Hope agenda, along with the President’s wife, Oluremi Tinubu.
Political analysts believe that, with Professor Nantawe as national Chairman of the APC, Plateau state could be the melting pot of the 2027 politics.
National Trail can safely report, that, part of the mandate handed down to the new APC chairman, was to deliver his state back to the APC.
The days ahead will confirm if the permutations are true to the effect that, last Saturdays burial, was a pointer to what nay obtain in the journey towards 2027.

By Hassan Taiye

In a grand display of support and solidarity, Dr. David Olofu, President of the Apa Legacy And Sustainability Initiatives, has officially declared his intention to run for the Benue South Senatorial District seat.

The declaration was met with jubilation and royal blessings from the traditional councils of Apa and Agatu Local Government Areas.

During a colorful ceremony at the council halls in Ugbokpo and Obagaji, Dr. Olofu received the honorific chieftaincy title of “Ojimeli K’APA” from the Odejo K’Apa, Chief John Antenyi.

The monarch invoked the ancestral spirit (Alekwu) of Apa and the Almighty God to lead Dr. Olofu to victory, saying, “Tabeje, tabeje, tabeje. All my predecessors will fight for you to bring home victory. And, the Almighty God will lead you to victory.”

The Ada’Agatu, Dr. Godwin Onah, on his part also bestowed his blessings on Dr. Olofu, urging all Agatu sons and daughters to support his senatorial quest.

“We thank God that we now have somebody who has volunteered to gun for the position, and it is incumbent on us to support him stoutly,” he declared.

In his declaration speech before the traditional leaders and later at the party secretariats in the two local government areas, Dr. Olofu outlined his vision for the Benue South Senatorial District, promising to stimulate development and galvanize growth in the entire Benue South Senatoria District.

He highlighted his experience as a past Commissioner of Finance in Benue State and his role as Chairman of the Forum of Commissioners of Finance in Nigeria, saying, “If given the opportunity, I know how to leverage on government to attract development projects to all the nooks and crannies of the Benue South Senatorial District.”

Dr. Olofu also pledged to create industrial corridors in all quadrants of the senatorial district to curb unemployment and address the protracted security challenges facing the area.

He expressed optimism about harnessing the potential of the River Benue and the senatorial district’s mineral resources to drive economic growth and development.

The occasion was marked by jubilation, with thousands of people trooping out to catch a glimpse of the new aspirant.

The leadership of the African Democratic Congress in Apa and Agatu Local Government Areas endorsed Dr. Olofu’s aspiration, citing his generosity and goodness, particularly his scholarship and women empowerment schemes, which have benefited many in the senatorial district.