Tensions are rising in Nigeria’s political landscape as the Amalgamated Southern Nigeria Youths Forum has strongly condemned what it describes as a politically motivated campaign against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The group, in a heated press briefing on Thursday, accused Northern interest groups of orchestrating attacks on Akpabio through Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and warned of potential economic disruptions if the alleged campaign continues.
The youth group’s president, Hon. Victor Oleh, argued that the allegations of sexual harassment leveled against Akpabio were baseless and part of a larger scheme to weaken Southern leadership. “We will not tolerate any attempt to undermine our leaders using false narratives. This smear campaign is dead on arrival,” Oleh stated.
The controversy has also reignited longstanding grievances over resource control, particularly the perceived marginalization of the Niger Delta despite its significant contributions to the nation’s economy. The group criticized the allocation of multiple LNG plants to Kogi State, arguing that the oil-producing Niger Delta states have been unfairly sidelined. “You take revenue from our crude oil and gas but keep the profits from gold, lithium, and other minerals to yourselves. This injustice must stop,” they declared.
Warning of possible retaliatory actions, the forum stated that continued attacks on Akpabio could lead to disruptions in oil production. “We know the names of oil block owners, and we will not sit back while our resources are exploited without fair representation,” the group warned.
The Arewa Youth Assembly had earlier accused Akpabio of neglecting Northern interests, a claim that the Southern youth forum dismissed as unfounded. They pointed to projects such as the North Central Development Commission bill as evidence of Akpabio’s commitment to equitable governance.
Calling for national unity, the group urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and caution Northern leaders against further actions that could escalate regional tensions. “The Senate presidency belongs to the South, and any further attempts to remove Akpabio will be met with strong resistance,” they concluded.
As political maneuvering intensifies ahead of future elections, this standoff underscores the deep-seated issues of regional representation and resource distribution in Nigeria’s governance.