Legislature
10th Senate: Arewa Youths move against alleged imposition of Senator Akpabio

A group, Arewa Youth of Nigeria has raised concern over what they referred to as an impending disaster for the Nigeria’s nascent democracy should the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) go ahead with its planned imposition of the National Assembly principal officers.
The APC had named Senator Godswill Akpabio and Jibrin Barau as its anointed candidates for the President of the Senate and his deputy respectively.
The planned zoning of the positions by the ruling party did not go down well with some stakeholders who have been voicing out their grievances.
The group which has been vocal against the choice of senator Godswill Akpabio for the Senate Presidency cited a Thisday online Newspapers comment on Friday, 26th May, 2023 which is also against the Akpabio Senate presidency as confirmation of their fears.
Secretary General of the group
Mallam Aliyu Mustapha in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday said the publication by the newspaper is enough for Nigerians to come to terms with why Senator Akpabio should not be made President of the senate.
Some part of the newspapers’ article reads,
“Now we await, in raging stupefication, the imposition of Senator Godswill Akpabio as the Senate president and the chairman of the national assembly. Spanning the last two decades, his public career has come to symbolise a study in the utility of public corruption and impunity for upward mobility in the ladder of political leadership in Nigeria.
“The tragedy of contemporary Nigeria is the extent to which the perfidy of mindless corruption has been upstaged (by the impunity of how much you can rub the nose of Nigeria in this mud) by the open tender of a pedigree of unspeakable stolen public resources as credentials for higher office. To prove the point is the pending coronation of Akpabio as the next Nigeria’s Senate president.
“In his preceding successive occupations as Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator and Senator-elect, he has left behind tons of evidence on his exploitation of those offices as conduit pipes for unprecedented embezzlement.
“As Governor of Akwa Ibom State, he has a pending case of “withdrawal of N18bn from the state’s coffers under the guise of special services, reception of very important guests and sundry items; acquisition of some assets through surrogates, including a multi-billion naira mansion at Plot 5, Ikogosi Spring Close, off Katsina-Ala Crescent, Maitama-Abuja; a multi-billion naira mansion at Plot 28 Colorado Close, Maitama, Abuja; 22 Probyn Road, Ikoyi, Lagos; Plot 23 Olusegun Aina Street, Parkview, Lagos and a multi-billion naira 25-storey building at Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos”.
“As Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, he was the star culprit in the allegations of N40 billion fraud perpetrated in the NDDC, a ministry which was headed by Akpabio for three years. The Senate over which he will preside resolved in 2020 to probe the alleged N40 billion financial recklessness of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the NDDC. Less than two months ago, he was detained by EFCC for two hours after attempting to bribe agency chairman with $350,000.
“The trillion naira question is: How does Akpabio proceed from this immediate background to become the President of the Nigerian Senate?”
Legislature
Senator Jibrin Echocho celebrates with Nigerians at 63

Senator Isah Jibrin ( APC Kogi East), has rejoiced with Nigerians on the occasion of 63rd Independence anniversary of the country.
In a statement he personally signed in Abuja on Saturday, the senator urged Nigerians to remain steadfast in their believe in building a strong, united and prosperous country.
“Let us be driven forward by our zeal to strengthen our diversity, culture and beliefs as we remain one nation bound in freedom.
“To my dear constituents, I want to assure you that I will continue to be your voice in the Senate, fighting for your rights and interests with integrity and dedication.
“May this Independence day anniversary bring further positive turnaround, unimaginable fortune, unity of purpose, and breakthrough for Nigeria and Nigerians.
“Once again, I felicitate with all the good people of Kogi East, Kogi State, Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, and wish you all the merits of democracy”.
Legislature
Kalu says, China’s economic collaboration with Nigeria is yielding positive outcomes

***boosting industrialization, creating jobs
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has indicated that China’s diplomatic and trade relationships with Nigeria, as well as the cultural exchanges between them have fostered a deep understanding and appreciation of each other’s heritage.

He said that the ties between both countries has fast tracked the industrial development of Nigeria with projects such as the Abuja-Kaduna Railway and the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project standing as a testament to the enduring collaboration.
Kalu spoke while delivering his goodwill message at the China’s 74th National Day celebrations in Abuja on Thursday.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary ( CPS), Mr. Levinus Nwabughiogu quoted the Deputy Speaker to have further remarked that Chinese products have become a staple in Nigerian households also stressed that Nigeria’s agricultural exports to China has continued to grow.

Kalu added that the symbiotic relationship has created jobs, boosted local industries, and increased the welfare of the people, adding that currently, Nigeria is China’s second largest trading partner in Africa.
He said: “The decades-long relationship between our two great nations, Nigeria and China has been mutually beneficial, particularly in recent times.
“The rich tapestry of our partnership has woven threads of cooperation in various sectors, from infrastructure development to trade, technology exchange, and cultural engagement. China’s significant investments in Nigeria have contributed immensely to the growth and development of our nation, fostering economic prosperity and stability.
“China has been a steadfast partner in Nigeria’s infrastructural development,
with projects such as the Abuja-Kaduna Railway and the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project standing as a testament to our enduring collaboration. These initiatives have not only improved connectivity within Nigeria but have also laid the foundation for sustainable economic growth.
“In the realm of commerce, our bilateral trade has flourished, opening up
new opportunities for both nations.”
The Deputy Speaker also urged the government of the People’s Republic of China to join Nigeria in her efforts to identify and resolve the tendencies that encourage xenophobic attacks at the world stage.
“I look forward to both countries taking increasing steps to engender people to people diplomacy in order to troubleshoot matters that encourage xenophobic tendencies”.
Legislature
Join Nigeria in fight against xenophobia at world stage, deputy Speaker, Kalu tells China

***Commends diplomatic, trade relationship between both countries
The government of the People’s Republic of China should join Nigeria in her efforts to identify and resolve tendencies that encourage xenophobic attacks at the world stage, the deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Okezie Kalu has charged.
Kalu also applauded the diplomatic and trade relationships between both countries, acknowledging that the cultural exchanges have fostered a deep understanding and appreciation of each other’s heritage.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary ( CPS), Mr. Levinus Nwabughiogu qoted Kalu to have made the submissions while delivering his goodwill message at the China’s 74th National Day celebrations in Abuja on Thursday.
He said that the ties between the two nations has fast tracked the industrial development of Nigeria with projects such as the Abuja-Kaduna Railway and the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project standing as a testament to the enduring collaboration.
Kalu who indicated that Chinese products have become a staple in Nigerian households also stressed that Nigeria’s agricultural exports to China has continued to grow.
According to him, the symbiotic relationship has created jobs, boosted local industries, and increased the welfare of the people, adding that currently, Nigeria is China’s second largest trading partner in Africa.
He said: “The decades-long relationship between our two great nations, Nigeria and China has been mutually beneficial, particularly in recent times.
“The rich tapestry of our partnership has woven threads of cooperation in various sectors, from infrastructure development to trade, technology exchange, and cultural engagement. China’s significant investments in Nigeria have contributed immensely to the growth and development of our nation, fostering economic prosperity and stability.
“China has been a steadfast partner in Nigeria’s infrastructural development,
with projects such as the Abuja-Kaduna Railway and the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project standing as a testament to our enduring collaboration. These initiatives have not only improved connectivity within Nigeria but have also laid the foundation for sustainable economic growth.
“In the realm of commerce, our bilateral trade has flourished, opening up
new opportunities for both nations.
“I look forward to both countries taking increasing steps to engender
people to people diplomacy in order to troubleshoot matters that encourage
xenophobic tendencies”.
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