Tag: Godswill Akpabio

“Stampedes over free food ‘natural disasters’ “ – Akpabio

Aminu Imam
Akpabio on stampedes

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has referred to the series of fatal stampedes that occurred across the country in 2024 over free food distribution as “natural disasters”. “These were unavoidable circumstances; not man-made, but almost natural disasters. Please accept our sympathies on the stampedes that took the lives of very young children in Ibadan and other places in Anambra. It was not limited to just one location”, Akpabio stated, during a visit to President Bola Tinubu in Lagos. Recall that in December 2024, deadly stampedes at rice distribution centers in Ibadan,…

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“Nigeria was on ‘life support” in May 2023” – Akpabio

Aminu Imam
Akpabio

Senate President of the 10th National Assembly, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has likened Nigeria’s condition to being on “life support” when President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023. Speaking at his 2024 Constituency Briefing and Empowerment Programme held at the Ikot-Ekpene Township Stadium, Akpabio, representing Akw-Ibom North-West senatorial district, appealed to Nigerians to support the President’s efforts in addressing the nation’s economic challenges. While emphasizing the urgency of Tinubu’s reforms, he said, “Nigeria was on life support”. Akpabio highlighted the administration’s major policy changes, including the removal of fuel subsidies,…

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Stubborn ministers have no place in your Govt., Akpabio tells Tinubu

Aminu Imam
Akpabio tells Tinubu2

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has asked President Bola Tinubu to caution ‘intransigent ministers’ in his cabinet who wont respond to invitations by the National Assembly. The Senate President, who made this known yesterday, when the President presented 2025 Budget estimates of N47.9 trillion before a joint session of the National Assembly, said such ministers have no place in Tinubus cabinet because they are not democrats. Those who disregard invitation by the National Assembly are not democratic and therefore have no place in your government, Akpabio told Tinubu before a full…

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‘Senate wont withdraw Tinubus tax reform Bills’ Akpabio

Aminu Imam
Senate President Akpabio

…Says North cant intimidate them The 10th Senate has firmly refuted claims that the controversial tax reform Bills have been withdrawn or suspended, emphasising that the Bills remain under active consideration. Senate President Godswill Akpabio clarified the matter during Wednesdays plenary, following concerns raised by Senate Leader Michael Bamidele Opeyemi over media misrepresentation of legislative proceedings. Opeyemi highlighted reports suggesting that the Senate was confused about the bills, leading to their suspension. He criticized a news segment on Arise Television, where it was claimed the bills had been withdrawn, a…

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Akpabio raises alarm over increasingly complex national security challenges

Aminu Imam
Akpabio raises alarm

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio expressed concern yesterday about the evolving complexities of Nigerias national security landscape. Speaking at the 2024 Defence Advisers and Attachs Conference in Abuja, Akpabio, represented by Defence Minister Badaru Abubakar, said, We have witnessed events that challenge the stability and core of our nationhood. The Senate President underscored the critical role of intelligence in guiding leadership to protect citizens and advance national interests. As Defence Attachs, Advisers, and Officers overseeing state security, our internal challenges now require proactive measures. We must leverage experience to anticipate threats…

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“Wherever you see free food, help yourself” Akpabio tells Nigerians

Aminu Imam
Akpabio laughing 750x375

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has advised Nigerians to help themselves wherever they see free food. He made the remark in a recent video of him presiding over a plenary session in the Red Chamber. In the video, the Nigerian leader is seen laughing with his colleagues following the remark. The advice comes amidst harsh economic realities faced by Nigerians, largely due to President Bola Tinubus policies, such as the removal of fuel subsidy. Recently, Nigerias State-owned oil company, NNPC Ltd, increased petrol prices by over 15%, marking the second hike…

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“Account for each Senator’s N21m running cost or face litigation” – SERAP tells Akpabio

Aminu Imam
SERAP tells Akpabio

The issue around a sum of N21million that each of the 109 Senators receives per month has taken yet another dimension, with the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) asking the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio to account for the money of face legal actions. Recall that it was former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, who renewed the criticism against the lawmakers accussing them of fixing their own salary and allowances. The Red Chamber has denied this, saying that the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMFAC) sets its payments just like other…

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Hardship Protest: “Akpabio must go!” – Nigerians demand Senate Presidents resignation

Aminu Imam
Akpabio must go

Nigerians are calling on the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to resign after his infamous comment that he and others in the government would be eating while Nigerians protest. Recall that Akpabio, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, at an event on Tuesday, organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC), said: Those who want to protest can protest, but let us be here eating. Amnesty International Nigeria, on Thursday, berated Akpabio for the comment, which it described as insensitive and reckless. The rights group, in an issued statement posted on X,…

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“Well be eating while you protest”, Akpabio tells Nigerians

Aminu Imam

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has charged aggrieved Nigerians willing to protest to go ahead but let us be there eating. Akpabio made the comments at an event organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) on Tuesday in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. Recall that a nationwide protest against ballooning inflation, and Nigerias worst cost of living crisis in decades, has been slated for August 1. This just as some chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and a coterie of politicians in the South-West have described the planned…

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“New N70,000 Minimum Wage now applies to maids, drivers, others” Senate President?

Aminu Imam
Senate President Akpabio

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has announced that the newly approved minimum wage now applies to all workers across both public and private sectors, including maids and other domestic staff. The Bill was speedily passed by both chambers of the National Assembly just after it was transmitted by President Bola Tinubu. Speaking during the plenary on Tuesday, the Senate President said, If you are a tailor and you employ additional hands, you cannot pay them below N70,000. If you are a mother with a newborn child and you want to hire…

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