News
Vatsa asks Akpabio to resign as Senate president over utterances
***apologize to protesting youths
The president of the senate, Godswill Akpabio should immediately resign his position and tender apology to the protesting youths over his utterances on the ongoing nationwide Endbadgovernance protests, former commissioner for Information Culture and Tourism and Chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Niger state, Hon Jonathan Vatsa has charged
Vatsa said Akpabiot has not only embarrassed the APC where he has “come to continue eating” after 16 years of eating in the opposition People Democratic party (PDP), his Constituency and the red chamber but the entire Nigerians with his utterances.
The former publicity secretary of the party in Niger state in a statement in Minna on Tuesday titled “time for Akpabio to go is now” while reacting to a comment credited to him, said it is unfortunate that while eminent and distinguished Nigerians are busy appealing to the protesting Nigerian youths to give peace a chance and embrace dialogue with the government over the current economic hardship in the country, “Akpabio decided to go the way of comedy”.
It would be recalled that Akpabio, in the build up the EndBadGovernance protest last week, said those who wanted to protest could do so while he and other persons loyal to president Bola Tinubu will continue eating from his administration.
“While you protest, we shall be eating,” Akpabio was quoted to have said. An utterance Vatsa described as “very callous and regrettable, coming from the number three citizen of the country”.
Vatsa said in an ideal situation and in a decent society, Akpabio shouldn’t have been made the senate president in an APC control government, stressing that “these were the same group of people that we accused of looting this country for 16 years.
“It is a huge error and a disservice to this country to turn round and make someone like Akpabio a Senate president in APC government. That is why this government can never get it right.
“APC as a party has been hijacked by those that Nigerians were fed up with and decided to embrace”Change” in 2015. They have been eating and they want to continue eating like Akpabio made Nigerians to believe”.
According to Vatsa, “I said it before and I will repeat it that it is sad that we are giving red carpet reception to those we initially accused of looting this country with reckless abandon, so how can we get it right.
“The same eating Akpabio ate for 16 years under PDP government, he still wants to continue to eat under APC government. This is a tragedy of a nation”.
Aside this, Vatsa said that many criteria disqualified Akpabio from holding the position of the Senate president under APC controlled government, stressing that “Akpabio is from a state controlled by opposition party and therefore shouldn’t have been allowed to occupy the seat of the Senate president”.
He expressed regrets that the party leadership could not find a competent person to be Senate president despite the caliber of intellectuals in the south east and south south, stressing that “recently the same Akpabio publicly insulted a married woman on the floor of the Senate by comparing her with night club girls, only for him to turn around to tender a belated apology.
“The sins of Akpabio so far as a Senate president is worst than that of Ali Ndume which earned him suspension. I therefore call on the Senate president to immediately resign his position as the Senate president in other to restore the dignity of our great party.
“This party must begin to redeem its image and build confidence in Nigerians before 2027. This must start from Akpabio resignation toa let Nigerians know that we are serious as a party”, he added.
News
Power Minister Orders Immediate Action on Grid Collapse Committee’s Recommendations
Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has directed the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and related agencies to immediately implement the recommendations of a committee formed to address frequent grid collapses.
This is happening as TCN acknowledged potential temporary power disruptions as it begins repair work on the national grid.
The directive followed a recent grid disturbance reported at 11:29 a.m. on Thursday, November 7, caused by a sudden frequency increase from 50.33Hz to 51.44Hz.
The TCN reported that recovery efforts were promptly initiated, with power partially restored within minutes in the Abuja region, though work continued in other areas.
Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser to the Minister on Strategic Communications and Media, noted that the committee’s recommendations aim to offer lasting solutions for both immediate and long-term grid stability.
TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah confirmed that the agency has begun implementing these recommendations, which involve technical upgrades and strategic repairs across key areas. Ongoing work includes improvements on the 330kV Shiroro–Mando transmission line, significant upgrades at the Jebba Substation, and restoration of the second 330kV Ugwuaji–Apir line.
According to Mbah, while these enhancements are underway, some intermittent power instability may persist.
The TCN has appealed for public understanding during this period, emphasizing that the measures are critical for achieving a stable and reliable power supply across Nigeria.
The TCN reiterated its commitment to minimizing power disruptions and enhancing the grid’s resilience, recognizing the essential role that stable electricity plays in the country’s economic growth.
News
Fuel scarcity imminent as NLC declares support for NUPENG’s nationwide strike threat
A fresh wave of fuel scarcity may soon hit Nigeria as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its solidarity with the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), after its threat of a nationwide strike.
The strike warning followed an alleged military intervention to forcefully remove oil workers from the Oritsetimeyin oil rig, sparking outrage within labor unions.
NLC President Joe Ajaero in a statement released Friday condemned the reported involvement of military personnel, which he described as a breach of labor rights and a threat to the principles of industrial relations. According to Ajaero, the NLC is in total solidarity with NUPENG in its stance against the alleged forced eviction warning that NLC would escalate its response if such incidents continue.
The dispute popped up following a longstanding industrial disagreement between NUPENG and the rig’s management, who allegedly failed to honor contractual agreements concerning worker severance benefits.
NUPENG has criticized the actions of the oil companies involved—Dutchford E&P, Selective Marine Services, and their labor contractors—for allegedly ignoring legally binding agreements and resorting to what they describe as intimidation tactics.
Earlier in the week, NUPENG filed a petition with the Federal Government to address the conflict, expressing alarm over the deployment of armed forces.
Despite this, it is reported that a special naval unit was flown to the Oritsetimeyin rig on Thursday to eject workers, prompting NUPENG to threaten a nationwide shutdown if the government does not intervene.
In response, Ajaero highlighted the destabilizing effects of military involvement in workplace matters, which he said could damage an already fragile economy and violate workers’ rights.
“We cannot accept the militarization of our workplaces,” he stated, calling on the Nigerian military, the National Security Adviser, and the Department of State Services (DSS) to uphold labor statutes and prevent further harassment of union members.
The NLC also stressed the importance of keeping industrial disputes out of the military’s purview, urging authorities to allow peaceful negotiations to run their course.
“This matter is strictly an industrial relations issue,” Ajaero emphasized, urging the government to protect workers’ rights to fair negotiation without coercion.
With fuel scarcity on the horizon, Nigerians may face disruptions if the strike goes forward, impacting businesses, transportation, and day-to-day activities across the nation.
News
Akpabio Mourns Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Taoreed Laggaja
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja. Describing Lagbaja as a “fine, committed, and dedicated officer,” Akpabio praised the late military leader for his unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s security and unity, even at great personal risk.
In a statement by his special assistant on Media Jackson Udom, Akpabio shared that he was shocked by the news, having recently spoken with Lagbaja, who had been optimistic about his return to office.
The Senate President remarked on the significant loss Lagbaja’s death represents for Nigeria, particularly in the nation’s ongoing efforts to combat insecurity.
“On behalf of my family, the people of Akwa Ibom Northwest Senatorial District, and the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I commiserate with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the military community, and the Lagbaja family on this great loss,” Akpabio said.
He extended prayers for strength and comfort to Lagbaja’s family, friends, and colleagues and wished for the late officer’s soul to find peace in Aljanah Firdaus.
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