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NASS Minority Leadership: Wike plots Upset, meets Akpabio

Published

3 years ago

June 23, 2023

223 Views

The immediate past governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has on Thursday held a meeting with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio for over six hours ahead of the Senate resumption on July 4, 2023.

It was gathered that the marathon meeting was Wike’s move to block the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, hierarchy from nominating the Senate Minority leaders at the upper and lower legislative chambers of the National Assembly.

The meeting, which held in the office of the Senate President, had the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau in attendance, the newly appointed Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Abdullahi Abubakar Gumel, Senator Jibrin Isah representing Kogi East Senatorial District, and Senator Salihu Mustapha representing Kwara Central Senatorial District.

It was learnt that Wike insisted on nominating the Minority leader of the 10th Senate from his faction rather than allowing the PDP national organ to handle the nomination.

Though he declined speaking with journalists after the meeting ended at about 6.30 pm, and drove away in the convoy of the Senate President, a source, who spoke under anonymity, revealed that the former governor explained reasons his faction should be allowed to produce the Senate and House of Representatives Minority leaders.

It could not be confirmed, if the Senate President agreed to Wike’s proposal.

Recall that the choice of Majority and Minority Leaders of the upper and lower legislative chambers have been traditionally handled by the political party organ.

He said, “Wike was only serious in his faction producing the principal officers, but never revealed names of those he was targeting.

“He is very serious about getting the required support from the leadership of the National Assembly, as well as membership of the other minority political parties in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.”

Meanwhile, the APC has 59 Senators, PDP 36, Labour Party 8, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) 2, Social Democratic Party (SDP) 2, APGA 1 and YPP 1.

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New Year Forgiveness: Akpabio Withdraws Defamation Suits Against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Others

Akpabio gave the directive touched by a sermon given by Father Donatus, Udoette, the Parish Priest, Sacred Heart Parish , Uyo, during the New Year Mass.

Published

4 hours ago

January 2, 2026

OCHEFA

33 Views

The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who alleged sexual harassment, and several individuals.

Akpabio gave the directive touched by a sermon given by Father Donatus, Udoette, the Parish Priest, Sacred Heart Parish , Uyo, during the New Year Mass.

Akpabio said ,“I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.

“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitors to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”

In his homily the Priest said that the greatest thing that man needs is peace and admonished parishioners to live in peace with one another.

“You have to let go of the past, no matter what it was. All of us carry some luggage of pain and hurt. You have to let go if you want to move on,” he said.

With the Thursday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begun.

Watch video below:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CwurUkDRX

Video Credit: ARISE NEWS TV

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I did not authorise manhandling of Obaseki, says Oba of Benin

The Benin monarch, who spoke in a statement signed by Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor, advised youth not to take the laws into their hands on any issue no matter the degree of provocation.

Published

2 days ago

December 31, 2025

OCHEFA

29 Views

The Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II, has said that he never authorised the manhandling of a former Managing Director of Daar Communication, Dr. Pedro Obaseki.Oba Ewuare II said he remained a father of all.

The former Daar Communication boss was, last Sunday, abducted where he was playing football by suspected thugs.

He was beaten, stripped naked and paraded through the streets of Benin City on allegation of being an ‘Oghionba’ (enemy of the Oba).

Obaseki was taken to the Oba’s Palace from where he was taken to the police station.

He was beaten, stripped naked and paraded through the streets of Benin City on allegation of being an ‘Oghionba’ (enemy of the Oba).Obaseki was taken to the Oba’s Palace from where he was taken to the police station.

But the Benin monarch, who spoke in a statement signed by Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor, advised youth not to take the laws into their hands on any issue no matter the degree of provocation.

In the statement, “The Benin Traditional Council use this medium to inform the general public that the unfortunate incidence in which Pedro Obaseki was manhandled was not authorized by the Oba of Benin.

And it cannot be authorized because it is not in the character of our revered monarch to do so. The Oba of Benin is a peace-loving father to all.

“The Benin Traditional Council also wish to advice our youth not to take the laws into their hands on any issue no matter the degree of provocation.

They should always respect the laws of the land in all actions and utterances and allow appropriate Security Agencies handle all matters.

“Social media users should equally endeavour to cross-check information appropriately before posting.”