News

Oil Producing LGs: N/Delta Stakeholders Caution Akpabio Against Inciting Ethnic Violence

Published

2 years ago

September 27, 2023

Stakeholders of the regional peace and development advocacy group, the Alliance for Peace in the Niger Delta APND, have charged the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to focus on the high demands of his office, rather than dissipating his energy in making utterances capable of fuelling ethnic tensions and inciting violence in his home state, Akwa Ibom.

Specifically, the body frowned at what it described as “deliberate actions and vituperation made by Senator Akpabio in denigration of the person and office of the Governor of Akwa Ibom, Pastor Umo Eno” as well as the institution of the State House of Assembly

Akpabio, a former Senate minority leader had during the State’s 36th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service declared all Local Government Areas in the state as oil-producing, and that there should be no distinction among them in terms of sharing of resources or benefits.

He also reportedly impressed it on Gov. Eno to repeal the Akwa Ibom Map Bill which has been signed into law

However, APND in a statement by its National Coordinator, Nsikak Francis on Wednesday, lamented that the comments by Senator Akpabio at the 36th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service of the State held in Uyo, the State Capital, and at the opening of the National Assembly leaders retreat in Ikot Ekpene could pitch the people against one another, disrupt the peace and trigger widespread ethnic violence in the State.

The advocacy group insisted that Senator Akpabio’s “unguarded outbursts” on issues relating to the leadership of the traditional institution as well as the mapping of Akwa Ibom State are, “to say the least, thoughtless, unstatesmanlike and ostensibly intended to cause divisions and unnecessary conflict among the various peoples of Akwa Ibom State”.

“It is instructive to note that the people of Akwa Ibom State are living in peace and tranquility since the last eight years, under the immediate past Governor of the State, Udom Emmanuel, and the incumbent, Pastor Umo Eno.

“However, it is saddening that this peace is now being threatened by the unguarded utterances of Senator Akpabio, apparently for personal political reasons.

“More distressing is that our check has revealed that the Senate President is allegedly the brain behind the traditional institution leadership arrangement. His current revolt and outburst against the issue therefore appears to be with the intention to cause crisis.

“This body counsels Senator Akpabio not to import into Akwa Ibom State the same proclivity which is brewing serious crisis in the Senate for which he is facing impeachment threats, the same proclivity which destabilized the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs under his watch as Minister and for which President Bola Tinubu nearly scrapped the Ministry.

“Akwa Ibom is a home of peace. The people have elected a new Governor in the person of Pastor Eno and they are happy with his leadership style. Senator Akpabio has had his time as the State governor. He is now the Senate President, he should concentrate on his duties in the National Assembly and desist from this unnecessary attempts to cause crisis in Akwa Ibom State”, the APND stated.

The peace body called on the people of Akwa Ibom State to discountenance Senator Akpabio’s antics and continue to protect the peace of the state.

It also called on President Tinubu to call Senator Akpabio to order adding that his activities in the State, if not addressed, is capable of causing very serious crisis in the entire Niger Delta region with a devastating negative consequences on the economy of the nation.

The group however urged Nigerians to hold Senator Akpabio responsible should there be any ethnic-based breakdown of law and order in Akwa Ibom State.

News

DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

2 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

News

‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

2 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

News

Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

2 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.