In the grand theatre of Nigerian public life, where noise often masquerades as news and envy parades as activism, one truth remains constant: the measure of a leader’s vision is often revealed by the weight of the storms they weather. The recent deeply personal attacks aimed at the President of the Senate, His Excellency Senator Godswill Akpabio,GCON merely affirm his impact. They are the inevitable rumblings that follow the footsteps of those who build, for greatness has always attracted turbulence. It is the familiar rhythm of leadership in a country where change unsettles those too comfortable with decay. Every student of history understands this pattern. From Nigeria’s founding fathers to the reformers who shaped later decades, the same principle applies: the hands that build will always invite the stones of envy, even from within their own families. Senator Akpabio stands in that lineage of nation builders who have chosen the difficult path of service over applause. The attempt to malign his reputation through fabricated allegations has only refined his public image, revealing the steel beneath the smile. What was meant to be a wound has strengthened him. What was designed to divide has instead united both his family and a wider circle of admirers who see through the fog of falsehood. To understand the hollowness of the attacks, one must return to the beginning. His character was not forged in the vanity of politics but moulded in the discipline of a God-fearing home. The Greater Akpabio Family of Ukana Ikot Ntuen, Essien Udim, nurtured in him from childhood the virtues of kindness, respect, and a strong aversion to violence. These are not borrowed principles but the moral roots of his existence. The family’s recent statement reaffirmed what the nation already knows: that Akpabio’s life has been guided by faith, integrity, and a sense of service to humanity. From son and student to Commissioner, Governor, Minister, and now Senate President, the same quiet strength runs through his story. His life is a continuous narrative of purpose and compassion. The caricature painted by detractors collapses under the weight of that reality. In their carefully worded declaration, the Greater Akpabio Family condemned the actions of those spreading falsehood and reaffirmed their unity and discipline as a family bound by respect and honour. They reminded Nigerians that this was not a matter for vengeance but one of principle. The family’s message was clear and unshaken: “Any attack on Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON is an attack on us.” That single line, calm and deliberate, turned a personal smear campaign into a collective stand for truth. The family spoke not merely for kinship but for values, faith, order, and unity, that define their legacy and, by extension, the character of their most prominent son. To be clear, the Akpabio journey is not an accident but of deliberate ascent. As Governor of Akwa Ibom State, he transformed what was once a sleepy corner of the Niger Delta into a beacon of infrastructure renewal and civic pride. As Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, he confronted decades of frustration and corruption with focus and will. As Senate President, he has brought calm, order, and renewed discipline to the National Assembly, guiding it in partnership with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu towards a season of national stability and reform. His leadership, measured and firm, speaks of a man who values results over rhetoric. His record is written not in slogans but in roads, hospitals, schools, and laws that continue to shape lives. This moment, therefore, offers a mirror to Nigeria itself. On one side stands a man engaged in the difficult, often thankless business of governance. On the other, a chorus of distraction, disgruntled voices that echo not from conviction but from envy. The choice for the public is simple: to chase the noise or to stand by the substance. The family’s vote of confidence in him reflects the choice many Nigerians have already made, to side with the builders, not the breakers; the doers, not the destroyers. In every generation, there arises a leader whose trials become their teacher. For Senator Akpabio, adversity has always been a forge, not a fetter. From his earliest days in public life, his philosophy has been constant: that strength is born of struggle and that — as the Bible says in James 1:3 — faith, when tested, yields endurance. His calm demeanour in the face of provocation reveals a leader who understands that true authority is not loud but steady, not reactive but grounded. Without an iota of doubt, when he chooses silence over outrage, it is not a weakness. It is wisdom, the wisdom of one who knows that truth does not need to shout. His family’s declaration carried a profound message that transcends the moment: that greatness must be protected not with bitterness but with dignity. They reminded Nigerians that their son’s patriotism and discipline have been consistent hallmarks of his life. They reaffirmed his aversion to violence, his faith in God, and his unwavering service to family, state, and nation. This statement, emerging from the heart of Ukana Ikot Ntuen, is a national affirmation of character. It symbolises what every Nigerian family should aspire to: unity, discipline, and the courage to stand for what is right even when malice roams free. The question is never whether a leader will face adversity. It is always a question of when. Adversity, for the true leader, is a refining fire. It purifies, clarifies, and dignifies. Senator Akpabio’s life embodies this truth. He has faced storms before, political intrigues, false accusations, and bitter envy, and each time, he has emerged stronger. The same grace that carried him through those trials sustains him now. Like fine steel shaped by fire, his spirit grows only more resolute. As Nigeria navigates its own complex season of renewal under President Tinubu, leaders like Akpabio stand as pillars of steadiness. His focus on legislative order, national cohesion, and collaboration between the arms of government reflects his understanding that progress is built, not decreed. He represents the quiet strength of leadership that seeks to heal rather than divide, to build rather than destroy. So let the noise rage, as it surely will. In the end, it will recede like waves retreating from a rock they could not erode. What will remain is the enduring image of a man who met adversity with calm, who answered malice with composure, and who transformed personal attack into public inspiration. His faith in God, his loyalty to family, and his belief in Nigeria’s promise remain unbroken. There is no doubt whatsoever that history will not remember the noise. It will remember the work. It will recall the man who stood firm when others faltered, who faced fire, and emerged refined. In that enduring record of service and courage, Senator Godswill Akpabio will stand not as a man untested, but as one proven by the very trials that sought to break him. His leadership endures because it is rooted in conviction, tempered by faith, and guided by an unshakeable belief in the better angels of our nation’s destiny.
Rt Hon Eseme Eyiboh is Official Spokesperson to the President of the Senate.
Civil servants who turned up to resume offices today, October 20, after the weekend rest were forced to return to their houses as police personnel engaged in a fierce battle with protesters, engineered by the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore. Our Reporters at some points in the heart of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, said that mobile police personnel, in full battle gear, chased away the protesters around the Eagle Square, opposite the National Assembly complex, firing canisters of teargas. Sowore had vowed to lead one-million protesters to the Aso Rock Presidential villa, to press for the release from detention, of the leader of outlawed Indigenous Peoples Of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. Kanu has been in detention for more than six years, undergoing trial in court for, among others, terrorism. Only Friday last week, a Federal High Court in Abuja had given an interim order restraining the organisers of the protest from going near to the Presidential villa, the National Assembly and other key government institutions. However, the organisers insisted that they would stick to their original plan of converging in the Federal Capital Territory and a march to Aso Rock Villa. In the early hours of today, the protesters converged in the Maitama area of the FCT, ready to commence the march to the villa and other strategic places. The protesters, led by Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyers, Alloy Ejimakor, were joined at the take-off point in Maitama by Omoyele Sowore, but were confronted by the security operatives firing teargas canisters. The organisers of the protest tagged #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, have been warned by security agencies to abort the action or face the consequences. The Director of Mobilisation for the Take It Back Movement, Damilare Adenola, bluffed the warning by the security agent, vowing that the protest would go on as scheduled, both in Abuja and simultaneously in the South-Eastern states of the country.
Despite the difficult socio-economic difficulty Nigerians are currently going through, the Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohmmed, has taken frontal role in the onerous efforts at positively touching the lives of the people in his state, particularly, the downtrodden. It is clear to put Senator Bala in the context of the saying of the elders that “some leaders believe in doing what their people want to be done.” Since he was elected, and into the middle of his second term, the Senator-turned-Governor has not left any stone unturned towards ensuring the provision of social amenities and other critical infrastructures to the people. He has worked extraordinarily hard to fulfil his campaign promises, and in the process, he brought about peaceful co-existence, prosperity and economic development to the state. He has been able to empower the state indigenes. The governor has been able to move fast, rehabilitating roads, providing houses, and setting up a strong educational, health care, youth and women developments, and creating programme for humanitarian assistance to the vulnerable. Governor Bala has actually done more than his best to the people of the state as is evidenced everywhere across the state. A casual look around shows, among others, the rehabilitated primary and secondary schools, elevation in status, of many teachers, traditional rulers, community leaders, farmers and local business men, so much that the People’s hope rose. His efforts have turned the State to a beautiful one, much better than before about six years or so ago. As a matter of fact, Senator Bala has practically demonstrated quality leadership that has impacted positively on the life of the people who elected him to lead them. The governor is being praised now not only by the youths, elderly people, women and the disabled throughout the state but by all right-thinking individuals, including even his detractors. Bauchi, the state capital, many towns and headquarters of the 24 local governments are now wearing a new look because of the actions of the governor to develop the whole state as he promised before the people elected him. Many areas are now motorable and accessible to modern facilities while farmers transport their farm products easily. Indeed, the state can be described as one of the fastest growing, not only in the North east but all over the country. Due to Bala’s effort, thousands of youths are now engaged in meaningful endeavours aimed at reducing youths’ restiveness. Last week’s decision by Governor Bala to throw the state open to investors through the provision of incentives, clearly showed his forward-looking nature as a leader who thinks out-of-the-box. This is worth emulating by other leaders in Nigeria. Above all, Senator Bala’s determination to assist the PDP through his steadfastness has placed him as a great leader who is determined to see that the party remains stronger and popular in the country. I raise my cap for Governor Bala!
An Abuja based legal practitioner, Charles Gabriel has threatened to institute contempt of court suit against the Authority of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) for allegedly disregarding an ongoing court case between him and the Federal Housing Authority in respect of Lugbe property. In a letter dated October 15 and forwarded to the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Federal Housing Authority Abuja, Charles, through his Counsel, U. I. Obeuwou, Head of U. I & Co. Solicitor, drew attention of the Authority to the pending matter in suit number SUI/CV/2950/2025 between him and Attorney General of the Federation & 3 others. Charles Gabriel said that any act after the suit had been instituted would be tantamount to contempt of court, with dire legal consequences “as we shall not hesitate in bringing such an act or conduct of your office to the attention of the Honourable court.”
….A Senior officer in FHA (in kaftan) at the controversial project site Part of the letter goes thus:
We are solicitors to CHARLES GABRIEL, the Claimant in the above referenced suit, hereinafter referred to as “Our Client”, at whose behest and succinct instructions we write you. Please recall that the Claimant instituted an action in the above referenced suit on the 30th July, 2025, on which your office as a party was duly served of all the processes; and therefore, we presume to say that, you are aware of the pending suit regarding the purported alteration and re-designation of the front of Shops 1 & 3 along 1H Road, Lugbe Estate, Abuja measuring 385.00 Square Metres by your office. Please be reminded that the matter is still pending before the High Court of Justice, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Be kindly informed that despite the pendency of the suit against your office which requires all the parties to maintain status quo, your staff went to the front of Shops 1 & 3 along 1H Road, Lugbe Estate, Abuja measuring 385.00 Square Metres on the14th October, 2025 with the intention of commencing development in fragrant disregard and disrespect to the Honourable court. Evidence of copies of photograph of your staff on the 14th October, 2025, at the front of Shops 1 & 3 along 1H Road, Lugbe Estate, Abuja measuring 385.00 Square Metres is hereby attached and shall be heavily relied upon. TAKE NOTICE that any act or subsequent act after the filing of the above referenced suit at the front of Shops 1 & 3 along 1H Road, Lugbe Estate, Abuja measuring 385.00 Square Metres abysmally tantamount to contempt of court with dire legal consequences as we shall not hesitate in bringing such an act or conduct of your office to the attention of the Honourable court. While your anticipated cooperation is highly solicited, kindly accept the assurances of our highest regards.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has beaten it’s chest to say that its decisive monetary policy actions in restoring price stability and anchor have been responsible for the sustained decline in the nation’s inflation, a reversal from the inflationary peak of 34.19 percent in June 2024. The apex Bank said that it raised its Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) from 18.75 percent to 27.50 percent through a sustained tightening cycle, while increasing the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) to 50 percent for commercial banks and 16 percent for merchant banks. “At its September 2025 meeting, the Bank eased slightly, lowering the MPR by 50 basis points to 27.00 percent and the CRR for commercial banks to 45 percent, while maintaining a firm anti-inflationary stance.” In a statement, the apex Bank spokesperson, Hakama Sidi Ali stressed that monetary tightening was complemented by reforms in the foreign exchange market, including exchange rate unification and enhanced transparency to improve price discovery in the market.
She said that naira has since stabilized, spreading between the official and Bureau de Change (BDC) rates and narrowing to below two percent.
The statement said that the Bank also improved liquidity in the FX market, reducing imported inflation and reinforcing price stability. “Foreign reserves remain above $43 billion, providing more than eleven months of forward import cover, supported by sustained forex inflows.” The CBN vowed its commitment to strengthening the disinflation trend, supported by a combination of exchange rate stability, durable improvements in food supply and continued moderation in petroleum product prices. Governor of the CBN, Olayemi Cardoso, at the ongoing Annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group, said: “We expect inflation to continue to trend downward in the near term, supported by tight monetary conditions, a stable naira, and increased food supply.” This came on the heels of the pronouncement by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) that the nation’s Inflation had fallen to 18.02% in September. It said that inflation rate fell for the sixth consecutive month in September, easing to 18.02 percent, its lowest level in three years. It said that the core inflation slowed to 19.53 percent, even as food inflation moderated to 16.87 percent over the same period.
The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has described Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan as a scholar of integrity with distinguished public character. Confirming his appointment by President Bola Tinubu as new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) today, October 16, the Senate commended the President for choosing him for the job. In his presentation to the Senate at the screening session, Professor Amupitan promised to restore public trust in the nation’s electoral system by strengthening institutional transparency and embracing modern technology to ensure credible elections. He also promised reforms that would improve logistics, staff training and digital transmission of results. The new INEC chairman vowed that henceforth “every vote must count in Nigeria.” The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, congratulated the new INEC chairman, advising him to approach the office with impartiality and courage. “Professor Amupitan must prove to Nigerians that the integrity of our electoral process remains sacred.’ Lawmakers across party lines commended the nomination, citing Amupitan’s vast legal experience and academic pedigree. Before his appointment, he served as a Professor of Law and Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Jos, and is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) with decades of legal scholarship and advisory work. His integrity and impartiality will be put to full test in the series of off-cycle elections that are still outstanding and importantly, during the preparations for the 2027 general elections. Professor Amupitan’s emergence signals the beginning of a potentially reform-minded era at INEC. His legal background and academic independence may help stabilise the Commission after years of public scrutiny and mixed performance ratings. Restoring voter confidence, safeguarding digital integrity and ensuring transparency in future polls will test both his leadership and Nigeria’s political will. If he delivers on his promises, Professor Amupitan would redefine INEC’s credibility in the eyes of Nigerians and the global democratic community.
A group of Igbo businessmen based in the United States of America have raised concerns over the planned ‘Free Nnamdi Kanu Now’ protest being scheduled for October 20, describing it as a political ploy by 2023 presidential candidates, Atiku Abubakar and Omoyele Sowore, to derail the ongoing trial of the detained IPOB leader. The group, under the aegis of Njiko Amaka, in a statement by its chairman, Chief Emeka Ejidike, and secretary, Chief Okey Anosike, said that the protest is a “self-serving political stunt” by politicians seeking relevance after electoral defeat. “We are deeply worried by the rhetoric of politicians who lost relevance at the polls and are now trying to exploit the plight of our brother, Nnamdi Kanu, for cheap political points.” The group cautioned that the planned protest could undermine the trial process, which it said is finally progressing after years of delay. “Now that the prosecution has shown genuine commitment to speed up his trial, this is the wrongest of times to do anything that might jeopardize it.” The group accused Sowore of seeking attention through the protest while facing criminal charges of his own, and questioned Atiku’s sudden interest in Kanu’s case. The businessmen also queried why Atiku, who hails from the North, had not shown similar concern for Mohammed Usman, also known as Khalid al-Barnawi—the mastermind of the 2011 UN building bombing—who has been in detention since 2016. “Atiku ignored his brother al-Barnawi, who has been in detention since 2016, but suddenly found a cause in Nnamdi Kanu’s case. Only evil motives drive a man to cry more than the bereaved. The group asked Nigerians to disregard what it called the “self-serving antics” of Atiku and Sowore, insisting that Igbo leaders are already working on a political solution to Kanu’s case. “We have capable leaders—five governors, 15 senators, and many Representatives—who are engaging constructively. Even Governor Peter Mbah has assured that a political solution is being explored. We do not want fifth columnists to ruin this effort.”
An American based group known as The Future Platform, has called on the Nigerian Federal Government to save the country from the Internationaal embarrassment by moving fast to arrest the wanton killings of the citizens through the activities of bandits and other criminals. In a statement forwarded to Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper by the coordinator, Austine Dafe, the group cited recent incidents in Plateau, Benue, Kwara, Jigawa, Anambra and Kaduna states, where innocent people, both Christian and Muslims were attacked, worship centers burned and families displaced. “We strongly condemn these senseless killings and urge the Nigerian government to take decisive action to address the root causes of the violence and ensure the safety and security of all citizens. “The government must prioritize the protection of human life and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. It’s crucial that we raise awareness about the situation in Nigeria and push for concrete actions to address the crisis. “We must stand in solidarity with the victims and their families, and demand justice and accountability from those responsible. “These acts of violence are not only a violation of human rights and religious freedom, but a stain on the conscience of our nation.The condemnation of the senseless killings in Nigeria has garnered international attention, with voices from the American Senate and Canada joining the call for action.” The group insisted that every Nigerian, regardless of faith, deserves the right to live in peace, worship freely, and feel safe in the communities. It said that the targeted attacks are unacceptable and must be met with swift justice and national outrage. “We call on the Federal and State Governments, Religious and community leaders to speak out boldly against hate, and to take immediate and decisive action to protect all citizens, investigate these crimes, and bring perpetrators to justice. This is not a time for silence. This is a time for moral clarity and courageous leadership. “We mourn the lives lost, stand with the grieving families and reaffirm our commitment to a Nigeria where every faith is respected and protected and for leaders to foster unity, peace and love. Enough is enough. The bloodshed must end.”
African philanthropist and business leader, Chief Tony Elumelu, has advocated a bold rethinking of Africa’s relationship with the world, in which there would be a shift from charity-driven models to one centered on investment, entrepreneurship and equal partnership Chief Elumelu who spoke at a high-level Africa-Europe summit focused on economic cooperation and sustainable development, insisted: “Africa needs partners, not charity. Our future will not be built by aid, but by investment, partnership and entrepreneurship.” He stressed that Africans must take the lead in driving their continent’s development, while global partners play supportive and collaborative roles. “The time has come to redefine the relationship between Africa and the world — one based on dignity, respect and shared prosperity.” Chief Elumelu, who is the chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), said that Africa’s youthful population, abundant natural resources and growing innovation ecosystem offer immense opportunities for investors seeking sustainable and mutually beneficial growth. He emphasized the need to empowe small and medium-sized enterprises and young innovators as key to unlocking the continent’s economic potential and achieve inclusive development. Chief Elumelu, who has consistently championed entrepreneurship as the engine of Africa’s transformation. The summit brought together policymakers, investors and business leaders from across Africa and Europe to explore ways to deepen trade relations, promote sustainable growth and attract long-term investments.
The family of the late Bilyaminu Ahmed Bello, who was murdered by his wife, Maryam Sanda, in 2017, has expressed deep pain and disappointment over the Presidential pardon recently granted to Maryam Sanda by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the Prerogative of Mercy. In a statement signed by Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, OFR (Dangaladiman Gwandu), on behalf of the family, the late Bilyaminu’s relatives described the decision as a cruel blow that has reopened old wounds and erased the justice that was painstakingly secured through years of legal battle. The family said that they had chosen silence and dignity since the tragic incident that occurred on Sunday, November 19, 2017, trusting Nigeria’s judicial system to deliver justice. They said that their faith was rewarded when the FCT High Court convicted and sentenced Maryam Sanda to death on January 27, 2020, a judgment that was upheld by both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court in 2020 and 2023, respectively. “Satisfied that justice had finally been served, the judgment provided some closure of sorts in the circumstance, if ever there could be one,” the statement read. The family said that though Maryam Sanda did not show remorse throughout the saga, but that they took solace in the court verdicts and moved on, “having painfully come to terms with the fate that life had thrust upon one of our own.” The family regretted that the Presidential pardon, which was among 175 granted to convicted persons, including some on death row had shattered their healing process and rendered the justice system hollow.
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….A Senior officer in FHA (in kaftan) at the controversial project site
Unbreakable Akpabio: Strength In Gathering Storms, By Eseme Eyiboh
In the grand theatre of Nigerian public life, where noise often masquerades as news and envy parades as activism, one truth remains constant: the measure of a leader’s vision is often revealed by the weight of the storms they weather. The recent deeply personal attacks aimed at the President of the Senate, His Excellency Senator Godswill Akpabio,GCON merely affirm his impact. They are the inevitable rumblings that follow the footsteps of those who build, for greatness has always attracted turbulence. It is the familiar rhythm of leadership in a country where change unsettles those too comfortable with decay.
Every student of history understands this pattern. From Nigeria’s founding fathers to the reformers who shaped later decades, the same principle applies: the hands that build will always invite the stones of envy, even from within their own families. Senator Akpabio stands in that lineage of nation builders who have chosen the difficult path of service over applause. The attempt to malign his reputation through fabricated allegations has only refined his public image, revealing the steel beneath the smile. What was meant to be a wound has strengthened him. What was designed to divide has instead united both his family and a wider circle of admirers who see through the fog of falsehood.
To understand the hollowness of the attacks, one must return to the beginning. His character was not forged in the vanity of politics but moulded in the discipline of a God-fearing home. The Greater Akpabio Family of Ukana Ikot Ntuen, Essien Udim, nurtured in him from childhood the virtues of kindness, respect, and a strong aversion to violence. These are not borrowed principles but the moral roots of his existence. The family’s recent statement reaffirmed what the nation already knows: that Akpabio’s life has been guided by faith, integrity, and a sense of service to humanity. From son and student to Commissioner, Governor, Minister, and now Senate President, the same quiet strength runs through his story. His life is a continuous narrative of purpose and compassion. The caricature painted by detractors collapses under the weight of that reality.
In their carefully worded declaration, the Greater Akpabio Family condemned the actions of those spreading falsehood and reaffirmed their unity and discipline as a family bound by respect and honour. They reminded Nigerians that this was not a matter for vengeance but one of principle. The family’s message was clear and unshaken: “Any attack on Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON is an attack on us.”
That single line, calm and deliberate, turned a personal smear campaign into a collective stand for truth. The family spoke not merely for kinship but for values, faith, order, and unity, that define their legacy and, by extension, the character of their most prominent son.
To be clear, the Akpabio journey is not an accident but of deliberate ascent. As Governor of Akwa Ibom State, he transformed what was once a sleepy corner of the Niger Delta into a beacon of infrastructure renewal and civic pride. As Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, he confronted decades of frustration and corruption with focus and will. As Senate President, he has brought calm, order, and renewed discipline to the National Assembly, guiding it in partnership with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu towards a season of national stability and reform. His leadership, measured and firm, speaks of a man who values results over rhetoric. His record is written not in slogans but in roads, hospitals, schools, and laws that continue to shape lives.
This moment, therefore, offers a mirror to Nigeria itself. On one side stands a man engaged in the difficult, often thankless business of governance. On the other, a chorus of distraction, disgruntled voices that echo not from conviction but from envy. The choice for the public is simple: to chase the noise or to stand by the substance. The family’s vote of confidence in him reflects the choice many Nigerians have already made, to side with the builders, not the breakers; the doers, not the destroyers.
In every generation, there arises a leader whose trials become their teacher. For Senator Akpabio, adversity has always been a forge, not a fetter. From his earliest days in public life, his philosophy has been constant: that strength is born of struggle and that — as the Bible says in James 1:3 — faith, when tested, yields endurance. His calm demeanour in the face of provocation reveals a leader who understands that true authority is not loud but steady, not reactive but grounded. Without an iota of doubt, when he chooses silence over outrage, it is not a weakness. It is wisdom, the wisdom of one who knows that truth does not need to shout.
His family’s declaration carried a profound message that transcends the moment: that greatness must be protected not with bitterness but with dignity. They reminded Nigerians that their son’s patriotism and discipline have been consistent hallmarks of his life. They reaffirmed his aversion to violence, his faith in God, and his unwavering service to family, state, and nation. This statement, emerging from the heart of Ukana Ikot Ntuen, is a national affirmation of character. It symbolises what every Nigerian family should aspire to: unity, discipline, and the courage to stand for what is right even when malice roams free.
The question is never whether a leader will face adversity. It is always a question of when. Adversity, for the true leader, is a refining fire. It purifies, clarifies, and dignifies. Senator Akpabio’s life embodies this truth. He has faced storms before, political intrigues, false accusations, and bitter envy, and each time, he has emerged stronger. The same grace that carried him through those trials sustains him now. Like fine steel shaped by fire, his spirit grows only more resolute.
As Nigeria navigates its own complex season of renewal under President Tinubu, leaders like Akpabio stand as pillars of steadiness. His focus on legislative order, national cohesion, and collaboration between the arms of government reflects his understanding that progress is built, not decreed. He represents the quiet strength of leadership that seeks to heal rather than divide, to build rather than destroy.
So let the noise rage, as it surely will. In the end, it will recede like waves retreating from a rock they could not erode. What will remain is the enduring image of a man who met adversity with calm, who answered malice with composure, and who transformed personal attack into public inspiration. His faith in God, his loyalty to family, and his belief in Nigeria’s promise remain unbroken.
There is no doubt whatsoever that history will not remember the noise. It will remember the work. It will recall the man who stood firm when others faltered, who faced fire, and emerged refined. In that enduring record of service and courage, Senator Godswill Akpabio will stand not as a man untested, but as one proven by the very trials that sought to break him. His leadership endures because it is rooted in conviction, tempered by faith, and guided by an unshakeable belief in the better angels of our nation’s destiny.
Rt Hon Eseme Eyiboh is Official Spokesperson to the President of the Senate.