Politics

10th NASS: Akpabio’s Ambition Suffers Setback As His Kinsmen Drum Support For Orji Kalu

Published

3 years ago

June 8, 2023

Akwa Ibom group under the aegis of Coalition for Better Nigeria Under Bola Ahmed Tinubu has thrown its weight behind the Chief Whip of the Senate and former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for the office of the 10th Senate President.

In a letter addressed to the three senators from Akwa Ibom state including Senator Godswill Akpabio who is also a contender for the presidency of the Senate, the group called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the senators elect to consider Kalu and elect him as the next president of the senate.

According to the letter issued on Wednesday, signed by its coordinator, Solomon Akpan and made available to Vanguard in Abuja, the group said that Kalu will help bring stability to the government of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The group added that Kalu with his experience and capacity will foster unity and national peace.

The letter read in parts: “We are a group of Nigerians formed into a union to offer technical support and advice, unsolicited but from patriotic point of view to assist President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisions that will heal past wounds, reconcile various interest, give all Nigerians a sense of belonging and foster national unity, peace and stability.

“We write to Congratulate you on your election as Senators representing the three Senatorial (geopolitical) districts of Akwa Ibom. We deem it as well deserved and a call for duty. We count on you to help Mr. President to serve Nigerians well and bring about the unity of the country.

“From Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Capital, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all Senators elect and wish them the best legislative experience. As the National Assembly will be inaugurated on 13th June 2023, our Coalition and indeed the masses of Akwa Ibom State solicit your support to elect Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, former governor of Abia State elected under the platform of APC who hails from South East as President of the Senate. We consider this call as a patriotic duty which we owe to stabilize Nigeria and set the tone for the healing, restoration of peace and stability in the South East.

“Orji Uzor Kalu is a seasoned politician, well experienced and exposed to the workings of the Senate of the Federal Republic. He has been an uncompromising pillar of support to President Tinubu and the APC as a party.

“South East over the years has remained a stronghold of opposition until the intervention of His Excellency, Senator Kalu and other stakeholders in the zone and today, APC can boast of more vote than ever and six Senators from the zone in the about to be formed Senate.

“We consider His Excellency, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as the national consensus that every stakeholder must embrace because of the long-term benefits Nigeria will get especially in working with the new government to resolve the Biafra agitation and question of exclusion which the South East zone has complained of in the last administration.

“Most respectfully, let Senators vote for the unity, oneness and progress of Nigeria. We thank and congratulate you once again.” the group said.

Up Next

10th NASS: 109 Senators-elect, 359 Reps-elect Take Oath Of Office Tuesday

Don't Miss

Aregbesola Blames Devil For Rift With Oyetola, Seeks Forgiveness Aregbesola

Comments

Politics

PDP Crisis: INEC Rejects Turaki-led NWC

Published

1 day ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it will not recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, citing existing court judgments and unresolved legal processes.

This was as contained in a letter dated December 22, 2025, signed by INEC Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

The Commission stated that it could not act on demands to acknowledge or upload on its website the list of national officers said to have been elected at the National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan.

According to INEC, its position was guided by subsisting court decisions and pending litigation relating to the leadership crisis within the PDP.

The electoral body further noted that it would be improper to recognise any factional officers while the matter remains before the courts.

Politics

Govt That Fails To Protect Its Citizens Has No Business Remaining In Office – Kwankwaso

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has accused the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of lacking the political will to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Kwankwaso spoke on Tuesday in Kano while unveiling 2,000 operatives of the Kano State Neighbourhood Security Network.

He urged President Tinubu to “rise to the occasion and truly act as the Commander-in-Chief” in addressing banditry and other security challenges.

According to him, Nigeria’s military “remains one of the most gallant in the world,” having served in international peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Liberia, and other conflict zones.

However, he said the armed forces are not being adequately supported to perform optimally.

“Today, many innocent Nigerians are being killed, while the perpetrators walk freely as if nothing happened. The government must apologise to Nigerians for its laxity in the fight against insecurity,” he said.

Kwankwaso, who once served as Minister of Defence, added: “When I was Defence Minister, I knew the capability of the Nigerian military. They are courageous and professional but need clear direction, support, and political will to do the needful.”

He stressed that Nigeria’s armed forces had historically ranked among the best globally and urged the government to equip them properly to change the current security situation.

Kwankwaso also said that if elected president in 2027, he would recruit over one million additional military personnel to strengthen national security.

“Any government that fails to protect the lives and property of its citizens has failed woefully and has no business remaining in office,” he declared.

He further called on the Federal Government to integrate community-based security initiatives, like the Kano Neighbourhood Security Network, into the national security system to boost morale and improve intelligence-driven operations against criminals.

Politics

ADC Announces Temporary Closure Of Secretariat

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The African Democratic Congress, ADC , says it has temporarily closed its National Secretariat as part of the end-of-year break.

A statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said full operations are scheduled to resume in the New Year.

According to the statement, the secretariat will close on December 23, 2025, and reopen on January 5, 2026.

The party, however, said essential skeletal services will remain available throughout the period, while all other official activities at the National Secretariat will be suspended to allow staff and party officials observe the Christmas and New Year holidays.

“This is to inform the public that the African Democratic Congress National Secretariat will close for the year on 23rd December 2025 and will resume full operations on 5th January 2026.

“During this period, only skeletal services will be available, while all other official activities at the Secretariat will be temporarily suspended,” the statement said.

The party thanked its members, partners and supporters for their continued loyalty and cooperation throughout the year, noting that their support remains critical to the growth and stability of the party.

The ADC also said it is committed to its ideals and to democratic engagement as it prepares for activities in the coming year.