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Group asks Akpabio to contest for Senate Presidency

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Group asks Akpabio to contest for Senate Presidency

Leadership of The Nigeria Civil Society Advocacy Group (NiCAG) on Tuesday in Abuja

By Angela Atabo
The Nigeria Civil Society Advocacy Group (NiCAG) on Tuesday in Abuja urged Sen. Godswill Akpabio to contest for the position of President of the 10th National Assembly.

The group, which comprises more than 20 civil society organisations and interest groups across the six geo-political zones, also urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other groups to support him.

While addressing a news conference to call out Akpabio, NiCAG’s Chairman, Mr Kenneth Obi, said they decided to urge Akpabio to contest because of what he has to bring to the table.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Obi, who read out a statement by the group was flanked by their Vice-Chairman, Dr Lawrence Okwara, and Director of Media, Pastor Shedrach Oka.

“Akpabio’s endorsement is coming on the heels of the several declarations made by some Senators who are also qualified for the position but cannot fit into the equation at this time .

“We therefore insist that Akpabio remains the best material for this top position under the present circumstances,” he said.

Obi added that Akpabio’s leadership of the Senate under Tinubu’s presidency would be the best thing to happen to Nigeria in terms of inclusive democracy and good governance.

“There is no doubt that Nigeria as a country and Nigerians as a people are going to through so much difficult times.

“We need patriots of discerning characters, competence and capacity to bring that optimal depth of leadership efficiency, balance and service delivery in our leadership quest for maximum output and impact.”

Obi said, “the National Assembly is a microcosm of the Nigerian state.

“Its politics must be played to reflect and satisfy the yearnings of Nigerians for equity, justice and fairness to the zones which have not produced its leadership since the return of democracy.”

The NiCAG Chairman pointed out that in the 24 years of democracy in Nigeria, the office of the Senate President has been held by almost all zones except the South-South zone.

“From 1999 to 2007  it was held by South-East from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“In 2007 to 2015, the Senate President’s office was held by the North-Central PDP, and from 2015 to 2019 it was held by North Central APC.

“From 2019 to 2023 it was held by North-East APC. So, from 2023 to 2027 at least, who should occupy it? Certainly, it should be the South-South,” he stated.

Speaking also, the group’s Director of Media, Pastor Shedrach Oka, said it was clear the South-West, North-West and South-South were the only zones yet to produce the Senate President in the past 24 years.

“With the President-elect from the South-West and the Vice President-elect from the North-East, the zone left behind and well-positioned to get it is the South-South.

“Therefore, there is the need to call on other zones to support the South-South in this endeavour.”

Oka said Akpabio deserved all support to become Senate President because he is a lawyer, grassroots politician, first-class strategist and a two-term governor.

“Our group has no doubt in our mind that Akpabio will be the most documented and successful President of the Senate that Nigeria would ever produce, given his uncommon Midas touch and track record of past performance.

Akpabio is a trusted bridge-builder and Nigeria needs a man that can uphold the unity of the country, stabilise and strengthen its democracy and the independence of  the third arm of government with a strong consideration for national patriotism.

“We therefore, most respectfully, enjoin the leadership of the APC and other major stakeholders to appreciate the effort and sacrifices of the South-South in ensuring that the Tinubu-Shettima ticket emerged victorious during the presidential election,” the group’s spokesperson said

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Politics

Tinubu Assures Investors Nigeria Is Open for Business, Welcomes Coca-Cola’s $1bn Plan

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By Francis Wilfred 

President Bola Tinubu has assured local and international investors that Nigeria remains open for business, saying his administration is implementing reforms aimed at creating a more predictable, competitive and investment-friendly environment.

Speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, at the 75th anniversary celebration of the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) in Abuja on Monday, the President said the government is addressing key challenges facing businesses under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Our message to investors, both Nigerian and international, is clear: Nigeria is open for business,” Tinubu said,

He noted that reliable infrastructure, efficient logistics, access to foreign exchange, stable regulations and a supportive tax system are critical to attracting investment and expanding production.

According to Yomi Odunuga, the President said ongoing economic reforms are designed to build a more productive and competitive economy, reduce dependence on imports, strengthen local manufacturing and create jobs for Nigerians.

Tinubu welcomed the Coca-Cola System’s proposed $1 billion investment in Nigeria over five years, announced in 2024, describing it as a strong vote of confidence in the country’s economy. 

He said the administration is focused not only on the volume of investment attracted but also on its impact on employment, skills development, technology transfer and local sourcing.

“We are interested not only in the amount of capital that comes into Nigeria, but in what that capital does here,” he said.

The President also praised NBC’s continued expansion of production capacity, including new production lines in Oyo and Kano states, describing such investments as vital to strengthening Nigeria’s industrial base.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving policies, infrastructure and regulations to support businesses, while urging the private sector to complement government efforts through investment, innovation and job creation.

Tinubu further highlighted the importance of human capital development, commending NBC’s Supply Chain Academy for training over 1,400 young Nigerians and supporting women’s empowerment and community development initiatives.

He urged investors to take advantage of opportunities across Nigeria, expressing confidence that the country can build a stronger economy driven by local production, exports and globally competitive industries.

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Politics

Kano  Governorship: Accord Party Governorship Candidate Gashash Getting More Endorsement From Kano Electorates.

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By Jabiru Hassan.


The movement for Democratic Protection and good governance (MDSG) declared it's full support to the Accord Party Governorship Candidate Ambassador Dr. Mukhtar Gashash in the forthcoming general elections.

In a chat with our correspondent in kano, the national president of the movement, Alhaji Dauda Mohammed Ali,  stated that it is time for the people of kano state to bring new steward who is seriously planning to transform the state with highest regard.

He expressed his confidence that Ambassador Dr Mukhtar Gashash will do his best to ensure that kano state becomes more examplary at both sector without bias which is the task previous administrators failed to achieve.

Alhaji Dauda Mohammed Ali reiterated that " this time around, our movement is working day and night to make sure that Kano people mostly youths remained Committed to actualize real change in the state's politics, leadership and transformation under the Accord Party government".

He called on the people of kano state especially the eligible voters to vote Ambassador Dr Mukhtar Gashash due to his Transformation plans for the progress of kano state and it's citizens at both Urban and rural settlements.

Responding to a question about Accord party's strength in kano state, Dauda Mohammed Ali disclosed that in today's democracy, competent candidates should be tipped for an elective positions not the popularity of the political parties stressing that Ambassador Dr Mukhtar Gashash has been found to be the best option for kano state due to his track record on competency, transparency as a real democrat.
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Caught in the middle: Ortom’s silent dance between two camps.

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There are growing questions about where Mr. Samuel Ortom, a former Governor of Benue State and a prominent figure in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), truly stands politically ahead of 2027.

Ortom was a key figure in the divisions within the PDP before the 2023 general elections and was widely associated with support for Mr. Peter Obi, who finished third in that contest. More recently, however, he has publicly expressed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

The latest discussion began after a visit by Mr. Peter Obi to Benue State. Reports indicate that a vehicle said to belong to Ortom was used to receive Obi at the Air Force Base airport in Makurdi. It is not clear who authorized the use of the vehicle, and Ortom has not commented publicly on the matter.

During the same visit, Obi was reportedly prevented from travelling to Yelewata, where he had intended to condole with families affected by violence. Obi’s team attributed the blockage to supporters of Governor Hyacinth Alia.

The Governor’s spokesman, Sir Tersoo Kula, denied any involvement by the Governor. He suggested the incident may have been staged to damage the Governor’s reputation, or that it could have resulted from disagreements within Obi’s own support base.

Ortom has not issued a statement clarifying his position on the 2027 elections or on the vehicle in question. Attempts to reach him were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.

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