Politics
2023 Presidency: At appropriate time, I ‘ll speak – Akpabio tells Arewa group
Minister, Niger Delta Affairs Ministry, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Thursday reacted to several calls from concerned groups, organizations and individuals that he throw his hat into the presidential ring, saying,” let me move on the basis of my records. Everybody is consulting and people are coming and asking me, when are you taking the giant step? I am telling them, just relax God is in control and at the right time, God will direct.”
Akpabio stated this while receiving in audience the leadership of the Arewa Concerned Citizens For Development and members of the Presidential Support Committee(PSC), who came to formally call on him to run for the office of the president in 2023.
The group, according to its National Vice Chairman, Hon Huseni Ladan, said, “apart coming to call on our leader in the Presidential Support Committee (PSC), to run for the presidency, we are also here to present him this award for his outstanding contributions to the development country and peace in the NIger Delta Region.”
A statement signed by Akpabio’s Chief Press Secretary, Jackson Udom, quoted the former governor of Akwa Ibom State as saying ” When God finally directs, I am not in doubt, I have you as my foot- soldiers. You are not just anybody. When people like you speak, God listens. He will continue to honour you all as you have honoured me today. I receive this award with gladness and I dedicate it to President Muhamadu Buhari, who gave me the opportunity to serve Nigerians in a difficult time like this.”
Commenting on calls for his declaration of interest in the presidential contest, the former Senate Minority Leader said,” I will say that the time is ripe and your move is also apt. I am also consulting. I know we are in dire need of steps to put the country together.
“I am a bit shocked. I wasn’t expecting this honour. It only shows that yes, indeed, our efforts at building bridges across Nigeria and across different religious and ethnic divides then, is working. We will continue to work together.
“As a governor of Akwa Ibom State, I was lucky to have Muslim brothers from the North as my CSO, ADC and Orderly. We worked together, we didn’t even recognize who was a Muslim or not. As a christian governor, I sponsored several Muslims to the Holy Land, among numerous interventions across the country.
” I tell people, don’t talk about the unity of this country with your mouth, put it into practice like I did. Don’t talk about development with your mouth, put it into practice.”
Speaking further, Akpabio noted that what the president needed most at this time was prayers from Nigerians to enable him achieve more for the people, stressing that no matter the antics and machinations of enemies, the current leadership of the country will berth the ship of governance at a very enviable place.
” We have to work together, to nip a lot of things in the bud. There are so many enemies around. They are conspiring to see how they can bring the present government down. I am very convinced that God will not allow them. What we are facing today is what I call challenges. Every country does face challenges. With God’s grace, we will survive as a nation.
” We are facing banditry, organised and sponsored insurgencies taking different forms, Train attack and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta Region, (where I understand there is a lot of oil theft and we have not been able to take advantage of the current oil price) are all challenges. All hands must be on deck with the cooperation of all Nigerians to bring it under control.
” Above all, God has already signalled that there is an end in sight and that is why the Ramadan and Lent coincided and at the end of this Ramadan fast, I expect the resurgence of progressive actions in Nigeria,”he declared.
Akpabio thanked the president for his resilience in the face of all these, saying,” I must thank Mr President for his resilience. The Holy Books enjoin us to pray for our leaders. We will continue to pray for him. He should not be deterred by what he is seeing today, because the enemies you see today, you will not see them tomorrow.”
Earlier in his opening remarks, Hon Huseni Ladan, who is also the North West Coordinator of the PSC lauded the Minister for his sterling national qualities which has continued to endear him to Nigerians, home and abroad and that being the major reason why Nigerians are calling and waiting for him to declare for the presidency.
According to him,” we are all proud of your leadership, because it was under you as the National coordinator of the PSC that this government was voted back to office in 2019. This is a structure we have maintained all over the country till this moment. We are waiting for the right direction and we will stand and support you because we have confidence and trust in you.”
Speaking further, Ladan stressed that,” because of our belief in you and your achievements in public office, we are here today, under the auspices of the Royal Fathers’ from the North, to present to you this award for Excellence in Service and to formally call on you to throw your hat into the presidential race. As a Minister you have brought so much peace into the Niger Delta Region and we are proud of you and that is why we have come to endorse you for the office of the president in 2023.”
Leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo South Senatorial District have endorsed a member of the House of Representatives, Aderemi Oseni, as their consensus candidate for the 2027 senatorial election.
The endorsement was announced on Wednesday at a stakeholders’ meeting held at Alice Hall, Ibadan, with party leaders, stakeholders, local government chairmen and state executive members from the nine local government areas in attendance.
The councils represented at the meeting are Ibadan North, Ibadan North-East, Ibadan North-West, Ibadan South-East, Ibadan South-West, Ibarapa Central, Ibarapa East, Ibarapa North and Ido.
The stakeholders expressed satisfaction with Oseni’s aspiration, describing it as timely, credible and anchored on tested leadership and grassroots appeal.
Those present at the meeting included Chief Timothy Jolaoso (Ibarapa East); Alhaji Kamorudeen Ajisafe (Ido); Chief Abdulrauf Bello (Ido); Alhaji Muili Oluokun (Ibadan North-West); Alhaji Mufutau Adisa (Ibadan South-East); Alhaji Bello Oladeji (Ibadan North); Prince Gbade Lana (Ibadan North-East); Engr. Olatunji (Ibadan South-West); Comrade Wale Gbadamosi (Ibarapa North); and Alhaja Moji Adetona (Ibarapa Central).
Other party officials in attendance were the senatorial chairman, Alhaji Mojeed Adebayo; the secretary, Fatai Adesina; Welfare Officer, Sunday Babalola; Deputy Women Leader, Alhaja Fatimah Hassan; Auditor, Alhaja Tinu Adigun; Youth Leader, Lekan Adebayo; Ex-Officio member, Kola Amoo; Treasurer, Lateef Ajiboye; and Senatorial Youth Leader, Olalekan Olowe.
A chieftain of the party in Ibadan North Local Government, Hon. Shina Alabi, moved the motion for the lawmaker’s endorsement, which was seconded and unanimously adopted by the stakeholders.
Alabi said Oseni’s decision to abide by President Bola Tinubu’s directive to step down his governorship ambition for the senatorial race underscored his loyalty and commitment to party unity.
He said, “Hon. Oseni has demonstrated uncommon commitment to the welfare of the people. His leadership style is inclusive, responsive and development-driven. We are convinced that his emergence as the APC candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District will strengthen the party’s chances and guarantee effective representation.”
He also urged party members to remain united and rally behind credible aspirants with proven capacity and electoral value.
In his remarks, Hon. Aderemi Oseni said his decision to pursue the senatorial seat followed the presidential directives, noting that he accepted the decision in the interest of party cohesion, progress and stability. He recalled that he had earlier prepared for the Oyo South senatorial race in the 2023 general elections, having already purchased the nomination and expression of interest forms as part of an arrangement reached, before stepping down following appeals by party leaders.
The lawmaker, who chairs the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), said the party must close ranks to reclaim political dominance in the senatorial district.
According to him, “There is a huge task ahead, especially with several House of Representatives seats in the district currently held by the opposition. We must work together, mobilise effectively and secure victory for our party and leader, President Bola Tinubu”.
Oseni thanked party leaders and stakeholders for the confidence reposed in him and assured them of his commitment to advancing the interests of Oyo South Senatorial District.
The meeting also had representatives from all nine local government areas, with about 10 leaders from each council in attendance.
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency of Oyo State, Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of violence at the All Progressives Congress (APC) state secretariat, describing claims that he assaulted a party member as false and politically motivated.
An online platform, IMPARTNEWSNETWORK, had alleged that Akinmoyede assaulted one Gafar Oyebade during a meeting convened by the state chairman of the party, Alake Adeyemo, to resolve issues surrounding the executive list of the APC in Lagelu Local Government Area.
However, Akinmoyede, in a statement on Tuesday, said the meeting was peaceful and attended by key members of the state executive, including the chairman, deputy chairman, and secretary, who witnessed the proceedings.
He clarified that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the state leadership recognised him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to the lawmaker, following the clarification, the state executive directed the Lagelu Local Government chairman, Fatai Awoyoola, to proceed with the swearing-in of other party officials.
Akinmoyede also faulted attempts to link the incident with the 2019 killing of a former federal lawmaker, noting that a court of competent jurisdiction had already ruled on the matter.
He said, “In Suit No. I/70c/2019, delivered by Justice Mufutau Adegbola on January 23, 2020, all those accused were discharged and acquitted.”
The lawmaker expressed concern over what he described as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, alleging that Oyebade, a public school teacher under the Oyo State Government, should not be involved in partisan politics.
He described the allegation as a “recycled script” aimed at tarnishing his image ahead of political activities, urging constituents to remain calm.
Akinmoyede also called on journalists to verify information before publication and urged security agencies to take action against individuals who file false reports.
“These tactics surface every election cycle. Those behind them should learn to accept the outcomes of political processes. They failed before and will fail again. Power comes from God,” he added.
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of assault levelled against him by a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagelu Local Government Area, Mr. Gafar Oyebade.
Akinmoyede described the allegation as “false” and “a lie taken too far,” insisting that no physical altercation occurred.
The denial was contained in a statement issued on Monday by his Legislative Aide, Dr. Isiaq Akintunde.
Oyebade had alleged that he was hospitalised following a confrontation during a meeting held at the office of the state party chairman in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, convened to resolve a leadership dispute in the local government.
But the federal lawmaker maintained that the meeting was peaceful and attended by top party officials.
“The meeting was convened to clarify Mr. Oyebade’s position within the local executive, and it was attended by the State Party Chairman, his deputy, the secretary, the publicity secretary, and other key state executives, all of whom witnessed the peaceful proceedings,” the statement read.
He added that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the Lagelu Local Government Party Chairman, Hon. Fatai Awoyoola, identified him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to Akinmoyede, the state executive thereafter directed Awoyoola to proceed with the swearing-in of the remaining members of the local government executive.
The lawmaker accused Oyebade of fabricating the allegation to advance political interests.
“I wonder why Mr. Gafar Oyebade, a secondary school teacher, would claim he was assaulted in the presence of the State Executive. This is an attempt to justify money allegedly collected from an aspirant to tarnish my image,” he said.
Akinmoyede further claimed that Oyebade was seen walking freely after the meeting and was not hospitalised as alleged.
He also raised concerns over Oyebade’s involvement in partisan politics, noting that civil servants are restricted from active participation in political activities.
The lawmaker called on security agencies and the media to investigate the incident at the party’s Oke-Ado office to ascertain the veracity of the claims.
Efforts to reach Oyebade for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
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