Politics
Niger Delta chiefs pass vote of confidence on Akpabio, want him to join presidential race
Leadership of the Niger Delta Council of Chiefs have passed a vote of confidence on the Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for his leadership qualities which they claimed has brought a breath of fresh air into the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC).
The Council, an umbrella body of all gazetted traditional Chiefs in the Niger Delta region, while commending President Muhammadu Buhari for the confidence reposed in Akpabio, urged leaders and stakeholders in the region to be patient with the Minister and President Buhari in the inauguration of the new NDDC board.
The Council in a statement by its National Chairman, Chief Mathias Efe Olowu, noted that no time is too much in an attempt to repair and reposition NDDC considering the damage that has been done to the commission over the years.
According to him, “the council urges our brother and sister in the region to be patient with the Minister and President Buhari in the inauguration of the board.
“No time is too much to put things right in the commission because, it’s much easier to destroy than build.
“The years it has taken to destroy the commission can’t be quantified with what the Minister is using to reposition the commission’s management system for effective delivery on their mandates to the Niger Delta people.
“So, please, let’s be patient with the honourable Minister, Senator Akpabio who means well for the region and has demonstrated the capacity of unparalleled love to the region.
The Council also called on Senator Godswill Akpabio to consider joining the presidential race in order for the Niger Delta to complete their second tenure and restore the region’s socio-political place in the federation.
According to the group, “we are making this call because the first tenure of a Niger Deltans in the presidency was a wasted year, as such, we Niger Deltans must bring forth our best in the region, which is Senator Godswill Akpabio, to give us effective leadership.
Chief Olowu thanked Akpabio for the continued running and delivery of the mandate of the Commission despite no board; especially in the “payment of contractors which the board awarded and refused to pay.
“Sponsorship of the overseas students of Niger Delta origin and completion of projects abandoned by the tenure of boards across the region.”
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has called on Governor Seyi Makinde to resign immediately, alleging that his recent remarks on state security exposed incompetence and an inability to lead.
Governor Makinde, speaking during his acceptance speech as the Presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ibadan on Saturday, lamented that he could do little to rescue abducted school children and residents in Oriire Local Government Area due to all security structures being under federal control.
Reacting, APC State Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, described the governor’s comments as “the height of cluelessness, insincerity, and criminal ineptitude,” warning that such disclosures reflect a dangerous trend among parochial leaders.
Sadare said, “Engr. Seyi Makinde could not find any fault in the nation’s Constitution, yet he swore twice to protect lives and properties of Oyo people. He has long enjoyed the powers of his office, controlling resources and people without challenge, but now faces a serious test, exposing incompetence, cluelessness, and ego.”
He added, “Instead of addressing security challenges, Makinde is exploiting the situation to push a mirage he calls a presidential ambition in 2027. His insensitive comments once again reveal hypocrisy. It is time he quit the office of the governor, having admitted he lacks the capacity to secure the state.”
The APC also recalled that previous governors, including Alhaji Lam Adesina, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, and the late Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, operated under the same constitutional provisions without similar security failures. Sadare particularly praised Ajimobi for establishing a Security Trust Fund to ensure funding and stakeholder involvement in security, in contrast to the current administration.
“Makinde’s presidential ambition is dead on arrival. Our concern is the continued loss, deprivation, and mismanagement the people of Oyo may suffer in the remaining year of his tenure. The state deserves a team player, a sincere and humble governor — qualities Makinde has failed to demonstrate in seven years. He should apologise and step down,” Sadare concluded.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday emerged as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for the 2027 general election following the conclusion of the party’s presidential nomination process.
Makinde emerged through consensus and affirmation by party delegates during the exercise, in what party leaders described as a demonstration of unity and confidence in his leadership ahead of the next general elections.
The governor was presented with his Certificate of Return by the National Chairman of the APM, Alhaji Yusuf Dantali, during a ceremony held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, amid cheers from party faithful, delegates and supporters drawn from different parts of the country.
Speaking during the presentation, Dantali said Makinde possesses the leadership qualities, administrative experience and vision required to steer the country towards sustainable growth and national development.
He urged party members across the federation to close ranks and intensify grassroots mobilisation to ensure victory for the party in the 2027 presidential election.
The APM national chairman maintained that the party remained committed to presenting Nigerians with what he described as a credible alternative capable of addressing the country’s economic, security and governance challenges.
According to him, the emergence of Makinde as the party’s flag bearer marked the beginning of a new political movement aimed at restoring hope and strengthening democratic governance in the country.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Makinde expressed appreciation to the leadership of the party and delegates for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to work with stakeholders across political, ethnic and religious divides to advance the party’s vision for national transformation.
The governor assured party supporters of his commitment to inclusive leadership, promising to prioritise policies that would improve economic prosperity, strengthen institutions and enhance the welfare of Nigerians if elected.
Five key members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State have been appointed to the party’s campaign committee for the 2026 governorship re-election of Governor Abiodun Oyebanji in Ekiti State.
The Oyo APC leaders on the list include the party’s governorship candidate, Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, former Senate leader Teslim Folarin, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, Zacch Adedeji, and Remi Oseni.
The list, signed by the party’s National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Basiru, reflects the APC’s strategy of deploying experienced political figures with strong grassroots networks to ensure a successful re-election campaign in Ekiti.
“These appointments recognise their political experience and commitment to advancing the party’s agenda,” the source within the party said.
The APC committee is expected to coordinate campaign activities, voter engagement, and messaging, positioning the party for a strong showing in the 2026 governorship election.
-
News1 week agoEid: Oseni Calls for Vigilance, Lauds Security Operatives
-
Politics6 days agoAlli, Folarin, Adedeji, Oseni, Dare Named to APC Ekiti Re-election Campaign Team
-
News1 week agoEid-El-Kabir: JTF warns of Boko Haram, ISWAP attacks
-
News1 week agoOyo Abduction: SWEGOP Demands Swift Rescue of Pupils, Teachers
