A former Director in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Alhaji Ibrahim Biu has described the recent creation of 13 emirate council in Bauchi State by Governor Bala Mohammed as a masterstroke in another move to get the government closer to the people. In a statement, Ibrahim Biu noted that in creating the Emirate Councils, Governor Bala Mohammed demonstrated his ability to listen to his people and giving them what they want. “The recent creation of 13 Emirate Councils by governor Bala Muhammed is a commendable action. “It shows that the governor is listening to the people and doing what they want that will help them.” According to him, the new Emirate Councils will bring the people closer to the government and create faster opportunities for the people, leading to the social and economic development of the state. Ibrahim Biu, who is a veteran journalist and writer said that what Governor Bala has done would endear him to the people and bring about peace coexistence among the diverse cultural and tribal groups in the state. Ibrahim Biu, who hails from Bauchi State, recalled that one of the emirs appointed to oversee Duguri emirate is Alhaji Aliyu Bala Mohammed, elder brother of the governor even as he advised other leaders to emulate Governor Bala Mohammed by listening to their people before taking fundamental actions.
Former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has threatened court action over alleged denial of the right to purchase form to contest for the National Chairman position of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Our Reporter at the headquarters of the main opposition political party, at Wadata plaza, Abuja, said that Sule Lamido was unable to secure the form for reasons that are unclear. Addressing newsmen at the premises of the party headquarters, Lamido, who served as Governor of Jigawa State for eight years, expressed dissatisfaction with the development. He vowed that nothing and no body would stop him from contesting the chairmanship of the party at the November 15th and 16th elective National Convention scheduled for Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. Lamido, who also served as minister of Foreign Affairs in the Olusegun Obasanjo government made it clear that he would take the battle to the court should the party play prank on him. He had earlier in a post on his verified Facebook page, declared his intention to contest for the position, saying: “By the grace of God, I shall today, Monday, 27th October 2025, by 11 a.m., be at Wadata Plaza, the national headquarters of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, to purchase the nomination form to run for the office of National Chairman.” This came against the background of the endorsement of the former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, for the Chairmanship position of the party by governors elected on the platform of the party. Others who had earlier indicated interest to contest the Chairmanship of the party are former Governors of Kano and Kaduna States, Ibrahim Shekarau and Ahmed Makarfi respectively.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has rolled out drums to celebrate removal of Nigeria from the list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring, known as the “grey list,” by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The removal of Nigeria by the body after a successful on-site evaluation of reforms implemented across the Nigerian financial system, according to the apex Bank’s spokesperson, Hakama Sidi Ali, confirmed the significant improvements in Nigeria’s regulatory, supervisory and enforcement frameworks, particularly in combating money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing. A statement by Hakama Sidi Ali said that the development marked an important milestone in the country’s continuing efforts to strengthen financial system integrity, transparency and international confidence. “The FATF’s decision follows a two-year reform programme coordinated by the Federal Government of Nigeria, involving multiple agencies, including the CBN, the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). “The CBN’s contribution centred on enhancing supervision, governance and transparency across the financial system. “Key reforms assessed by the FATF and the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA, FATF’s regional assessment body, included Strengthened oversight of financial institutions through updated AML/CFT regulations, risk-based supervision and fit-and-proper assessments, expansion of compliance reporting and monitoring across remittance channels, bureaux de change and fintech platforms to improve traceability and transparency.” Others, according to the statement, are enhanced inter-agency data-sharing and enforcement coordination between the CBN, NFIU, EFCC, and law-enforcement bodies, implementation of market governance tools, including the Foreign Exchange Code (FX Code) and Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System (EFEMS). “Together, these measures have materially strengthened Nigeria’s compliance with global standards and reinforced confidence in the integrity of its financial system. “Nigeria’s removal from the grey list will yield tangible benefits for businesses and households alike including lowering compliance costs, improving access to international finance, and making cross-border transactions faster and more affordable. In time, these gains will translate into smoother trade settlements, quicker remittance inflows, and even more predictable access to foreign exchange – enhancing livelihoods, supporting enterprise growth and deepening financial inclusion.” The CBN said that FATF decision had reinforced the broader restoration of global confidence in Nigeria’s economic management. It said that recent international assessments underscored “this momentum, with Moody’s and Fitch upgrading Nigeria’s ratings outlook on the back of stronger external balances, credible policy execution, and renewed monetary-policy credibility. “Similarly, the IMF’s 2025 Article IV Consultation highlighted improved reserve adequacy, greater transparency and reform agenda increasingly aligned with global standards.” Hakama Sidi Ali quoted the CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso as saying that the FATF’s decision to remove Nigeria from the grey list is a strong affirmation of the reform trajectory and the growing integrity of the nation’s financial system. “It reflects a clear policy direction and the coordinated efforts of key national institutions working together to deliver sustainable, standards-based reforms. “Our priority now is to consolidate these gains, ensuring that compliance, innovation, and trust continue to advance hand in hand to reinforce financial stability and strengthen Nigeria’s global credibility.” Nigeria now joins South Africa, Mozambique, and Burkina Faso as the latest African countries to achieve this milestone, reflecting broader progress across the continent. The CBN vowed to be committed to strengthening collaboration with domestic and international partners to sustain a sound, transparent, and trusted financial system that safeguards financial stability and market integrity while advancing inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
President Bola Tinubu has appointed a new Chief of Defence Staff and other hierarchy of the Service Chiefs in the efforts of the Federal Government to strengthen the national security architecture. A presidential statement today, October 24, by Sunday Dare, said that the President appointed General Olufemi Oluyede to replace General Christopher Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff. Similarly, the new Chief of Army Staff is Major-General W. Shaibu while Air Vice Marshall S.K Aneke is Chief of Air Staff even as Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff. The statement said that the current Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye retains his position. “The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expresses most profound appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and the other Service Chiefs for their patriotic service, and dedicated leadership. “The President charges the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them to further enhance the professionalism, vigilance and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria.” The statement said that all the appointments take immediate effect.
President Bola Tinubu has advised the new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) to ensure integrity and trust in the country’s electoral process towards strengthening democracy. Swearing in Professor Amupitan as the sixth substantive chairman of the electoral body today, October 23, at the Presidential villa, the President stressed the importance of serving with integrity. “Your nomination and the subsequent confirmation by the Senate are a testament to your capacity and the confidence reposed in you by both the executive and the legislative arms of government. “This significant achievement marks the beginning of a challenging, yet rewarding journey, and I trust that you will approach your responsibility with the highest level of integrity, dedication and patriotism.” President Tinubu said that the country had been on a path of democratic governance and learning since 1999, with notable achievements in the strengthening of various institutions. “Our democracy has come a long way in 25 years. We have consolidated and strengthened our democratic institutions, particularly in electoral systems, through innovations and reforms. “We have learned a great deal along the way and have improved significantly from where we were many years ago. We must now remain committed to the principles that underpin democracy in a complex and multifaceted society. “The electoral process is a vital part of a democracy that grants the people the exclusive right to choose their leaders and shape their future. To ensure that our democracy continues to flourish, the integrity of our electoral process must be beyond reproach.” The President insisted that the nation’s elections should be seen to be free, fair and credible. “We must consistently improve our electoral process, addressing the challenges of yesterday and innovating for today and tomorrow. “To maintain public trust in the election, electoral integrity must be protected. All aspects of the process – from registration to campaigning, the media access, voting and counting should be transparent, non–violent and credible. “No electoral system is flawless, but since elections are vital to a nation’s future, it is essential to continually strengthen electoral institutions, ensuring that they are robust, resilient and safeguarded against artificial setback. “I therefore charge you, Professor Amupitan, as you take on this important assignment, to protect the integrity of our electoral process and strengthen the institutional capacity of INEC.” Professor Amupitan succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure as INEC Chairman ran from 2015 to 2025. The 58-year-old Professor Amupitan had, during his screening by the Senate, outlined his plans to reform Nigeria’s electoral system, strengthen institutional independence and rebuild public trust in the commission.
Days after the publisher of the Sahara Reporters online newspaper, Omoyele Sowore led some protesters in parts of Abuja demanding the release from detention of the leader of the outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, the separatist leader, in a dramatic turn today, October 22, agreed to enter his defence in court. Kanu’s had last week Thursday, filed a motion of preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to continue with his trial. He filed the objection the same day a team of medical experts enpanelled by the court to determine his health status, turned in a report that he was medically fit to stand trial. In a fresh motion he personally filed yesterday, October 21, Kanu assured the court that he was prepared to begin his defence “pursuant to the order of this honourable court made on the 16th day of October 2015, directing the defendant to commence his defence on the 24th day of October 2025.” Kanu informed the court, presided by Justice James Omotosho, of his plan to call a total of 23 witnesses divided into two categories. The first category, he said, would be those he called “ordinary but material witnesses”. He said that his second category of witnesses would be “vital and compellable” and shall be “summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.” In the notice which Kanu personally signed, suggesting that he may have fired his team of lawyers, led by Kanu Agabi (SAN), the IPOB leader told the court that, in view of the number of witnesses he intends to call, the court should consider granting a 90-day timeframe to enable him conclude his defence. He told the court that he would “testify on his own behalf, providing a sworn account of the facts, denying the allegations, and explaining the political context of his statements and actions.” Among those Kanu listed as “compelable witnesses” are a former Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), a former Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai (rtd), as well as Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Hope Uzodinma, Governors of Lagos and Imo States respectively. He further listed current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Nyesom Nwike, his Works’ counterpart, Dave Umahi and the immediate past governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu. He also listed the immediate past Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, (SAN), the immediate past Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, his then-collegue at the State Security Service (SSS), Yusuf Magaji Bichi and several withnesses whose identities he didn’t reveal. Kanu, in the notice, promised to “provide the sworn statements of all voluntary witnesses to this honourable court, and to notify the prosecution within a reasonable time.” He assured that “no precious time of the honourable court would be delayed,” stressing, “and it would interest the honourable court that and the general public that justice is not only done but manifestly seen to have been done.” Kanu’s motion offering to open his defence came on the same day a magistrate court in Abuja ordered the remand of his special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor and 12 others who were among those protesting against Kanu’s continued trial. The police charged the 13 persons with various offences, including criminal conspiracy, disobedience of a lawful order, inciting disturbance and disturbance of public peace, contravening sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code Law. The 13 defendants named in two separate first information reports (FIRs) are Ejimakor, Kanu’s brother, Emmanuel, Joshua Emmanuel, Wilson Anyalewechi, Okere Kingdom Nnamdi, Clinton Chimeneze, Gabriel Joshua, Isiaka Husseini, Onyekachi Ferdinand, Amadi Prince, Edison Ojisom, Godwill Obioma, and Chima Onuchukwu. The magistrate, who stood down the case, later ordered that the defendants be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned the case until October 24 for arraignment.
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has kicked against re-designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over religious freedom, being floated by the United States of America (USA). Speaking at the launch of the Aid to the Church in Need (ACIN) 2025 World Report on Religious Freedom in the World at the Augustinianum Hall in Vatican City, Bishop Kukah said that such a move being made in the US Congress would “hurt ongoing efforts” to promote dialogue, national healing, and interfaith understanding. “Re-designating Nigeria a Country of Concern will only make our work in the area of dialogue among religious leaders even harder.” Instead, Bishop Kukah advised global institutions to recognise the complexity of Nigeria’s struggle and assist in rebuilding trust among its diverse communities.” While acknowledging the role of international watchdogs, he said that another designation now would only “undermine fragile interfaith efforts. “Nigeria must stand before the mirror and decide how to create a country of common citizenship. “The goal should be to help us reform, not to stigmatize. We need encouragement to build peace, not labels that isolate us. “I appeal to President Donald Trump, who is already working hard for peace in the Middle East, to lift the restrictions and help Nigeria access the tools it needs to defeat terror.” The clergyman said that though Nigeria remains deeply troubled by violence, discrimination and insecurity, but that there are encouraging signs of progress that should be strengthened, not punished. He warned that re-designating Nigeria a Country of Concern would increase tensions, “sow doubt, open windows of suspicion and fear, and simply allow the criminals and perpetrators of violence to exploit. What Nigeria needs now is vigilance and partnership, not punishment.” Bishop Kukah, who is respected as one of Nigeria’s leading voices on human rights and interfaith relations, acknowledged that the country had failed in many respects to protect citizens’ rights to worship freely. According to him, under former President Muhammadu Buhari, religious persecution, particularly against Christians, “was visible and egregious,” marked by exclusionary policies and the capture of federal power by northern Muslims. “The Buhari administration marked the worst phase in the history of interfaith relations in Nigeria. “That government gave oxygen to jihadists through policies that overtly favoured Islam and northern Nigeria.” He said that the Tinubu administration has so far shown “a willingness to listen and to act inclusively.” He cited the appointment of Christians to strategic national positions, including the Chief of Defence Staff, the Director of the State Security Service, the INEC Chairman and the National Chairman of the ruling party as “confidence-building measures that inspire a sense of belonging.” Bishop Kukah also commended President Tinubu for visiting Benue State after the recent Yelwata killings, describing the visit and his empathy for victims as “a departure from Buhari’s silence and indifference.” Acknowledging that Christian minorities in northern Nigeria still face discrimination, including denial of land for church buildings, refusal to rebuild destroyed places of worship, and restricted access to religious education, the Bishop said that Nigeria’s reality cannot be simplified as state-backed religious oppression. “We are not dealing with people going around wielding machetes to kill me because I am a Christian. “I live in Sokoto, in the womb of Islam, and I move freely in my regalia. The Sultan of Sokoto himself attended our events and provided support for our work. This is not to say there are no problems, but the daily realities of interfaith life in Nigeria are far more complex.” He said that while terrorists and extremist groups have targeted Christians, they have also attacked Muslims who reject their ideology, turning large parts of Nigeria into “a tragic killing field.” The bishop warned against the simplistic labelling of Nigeria as a country of religious oppression, arguing that such narratives overlook the multifaceted nature of its crisis, driven by weak governance, poverty, ethnicity and organized crime as much as by religion. He recalled that the United States had previously placed Nigeria on the “Countries of Particular Concern” list under the Donald Trump administration but later removed it under President Joe Biden. Bishop Kukah expressed optimism that the current government’s inclusiveness and the symbolic interfaith makeup of the First Family, with the President as a Muslim and the First Lady a Pentecostal pastor offer “a window of hope.”
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!
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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.