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
Obidient Movement Denounces Fake Social Media Posts Targeting Senator Datti-Baba Ahmed
The Obidient Movement, led by Dr. Yunusa Tanko, has issued a press statement condemning the circulation of false social media posts attributed to Senator Datti-Baba Ahmed. The fabricated posts, which have gone viral, are described as part of a deliberate smear campaign aimed at damaging the Senator’s reputation.
The movement clarified that Senator Datti-Baba Ahmed does not operate any social media accounts, making all attributed posts entirely baseless. During a recent press conference, the Senator unequivocally dissociated himself from these claims and urged the public to disregard them.
“This is a targeted attempt to tarnish the Senator’s image and credibility,” Dr. Tanko stated.
The Obidient Movement has called on its supporters and the public to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing the issue. They urged people to ignore, counter, and report the false posts whenever they appear.
The statement concluded with an appeal for continued support and collaboration in combating misinformation, reinforcing the movement’s commitment to truth and integrity.
News
Senate Approves President Tinubu’s N1.767 Trillion Loan Request
The Senate has granted approval for a $2.09 billion (N1.767 trillion) loan requested by President Bola Tinubu to address the N9.7 trillion deficit in the N28.7 trillion 2024 budget. The decision was made during Thursday’s plenary, just 48 hours after the request was submitted to the National Assembly.
President Tinubu, in letters to both chambers of the legislature earlier this week, highlighted the importance of the loan for financing key projects and programs critical to national development.
Following the request, the Senate assigned its Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, led by Senator Aliyu Wammako (APC, Sokoto North), to review the proposal. Presenting the committee’s report, Senator Wammako described the loan as vital for implementing the Debt Management Strategy, reducing borrowing costs, extending debt maturity, and bolstering Nigeria’s external reserves.
The committee recommended raising the loan through Eurobonds or similar international financing instruments, subject to market conditions. It also suggested that any excess funds from exchange rate adjustments be directed toward capital projects in 2024 to support infrastructure and economic growth.
The Senate approved the loan unanimously, with no objections raised during deliberations. Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, commended the Wammako-led committee for its swift and thorough handling of the proposal.
This loan approval is part of the government’s broader strategy to bridge fiscal gaps while focusing on developmental priorities and economic stability.
News
Finland Detains Pro-Biafra Agitator Simon Ekpa on Terrorism Charges
Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based pro-Biafra agitator, has been arrested and detained by the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland on charges of inciting public crimes with terrorist intent.
The alleged offence reportedly occurred in Lahti on August 23, 2021. Finnish authorities apprehended Ekpa on Monday, November 19, marking another chapter in his history of legal confrontations.
A source confirmed Ekpa’s arrest, noting, “He was arrested three days ago. But this is not the first time. He will likely be questioned and released soon.” Ekpa was previously detained in 2023 on suspicion of fundraising fraud but was released the same evening.
The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has also requested the detention of four additional suspects in connection with terrorism-related charges.
Ekpa has gained notoriety for his leadership of a Nigerian separatist group advocating for an independent Biafran state in southeastern Nigeria. Finnish authorities allege that he used social media platforms to coordinate actions that resulted in violence against civilians and authorities in Nigeria.
Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen of the NBI stated that the investigation focuses on a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, suspected of public incitement to crimes with terrorist intent.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has continued to engage the Finnish government through the European Union (EU) to extradite Ekpa. In August, Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters emphasized the dual approach of diplomatic engagement and sustained military operations against the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, reiterated the government’s resolve, saying, “The FG would respond appropriately to the Finnish Government through the EU. On the part of the military, troops would sustain operations against IPOB/ESN.”
Ekpa, who has represented Finland’s National Coalition Party (NCP) in local government, currently serves on Lahti’s public transport committee. Finnish authorities continue to investigate his activities, emphasizing the potential connection between his leadership role in the separatist movement and violent actions in Nigeria.
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