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By Our Correspondent

An Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Igbo Union Ndi Igbo worldwide, has praised Senate President, Senator Goodwill Akpabio and his wife Dr. Mrs. Unoma Ekaite Akpabio, for their untiring support to Igbo people and everything concerning Igbo as a nation.

The group said that the couple had remained a formidable support to Igbo cause, describing them as great assets to the progress of Igbo in Nigeria.

The group stand was contained in press statement signed by Ndi Prince Elias Odoemena, the National Convener of the group and made available to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday.

The statement described Senator Akpabio’s marriage to an illustrous daughter of Igbo land from Enugu as a continued blessing to the Ndigbo, and a pivotal of developmental monuments being cited in Igbo land as a whole.

The group added that Akpabio’s marriage to Unoma is not a curse but a divine blessing that has transmitted to monumental open doors to the Igbo as a whole, describing Senator Akpabio as son-law well loved in the entire Igbo land, who is more than ordinary son-law.

“He has become a bonafide Igbo man not only by his marriage to our daughter and sister, Unoma, but for the uncountable dividends of democracy he has brought to Igbo land, right from his days as governor of Akwa Ibom State to his present position as number three man in Nigeria. Akpabio has exhibited statefastness, loyalty and love to our people,” he said.

According to the statement “Senator Akpabio has continued to use any avenue available to him to cement the relationship between Igbos and their brothers and sisters from the old Eastern region, by building bridges across the people’s of South South and South-east both politically and economically.”

Igbo Union Nzuko Ndi enumerated some of things Senator Akpabio has done to build friendship, brotherhood and trust amongst the two neighbouring zones in the two country: “Governor Senator Akpabio constructed more than 500 metres Nkana bridge that connects Abia State and Akwa Ibom State. Akpabio built a worship centre, constructed roads in Igbo land and gave and facilitated employments for many sons and daughters of Igbo land.

“This act of kindness to the Igbos has made Senator Akpabio and his wife, our daughter, to be exceptionally loved, respected and reverenced in all communities in Igbo land, as a great in-law of exceptional quality and carriage that has the interest of anything Igbo at their hearts.

The Igbo group said they are all together surprised of Akpabio’s exceptional benovelence to Ndigbo, know his anticidents as a governor in Akwaibom down to this period he now occupies the exholted office of Senate President.

” We in Igbo land are not surprised.We are have being following the activities of the great couple right from their days as the first couple of Akwaibom State. What he implanted in the state, still stand as a reference points to all the in-coming governors in the state.
From roads infrastructure to schools, hospitals, sports facilities etc, Akpabio stood out amongst the governors of his era,” the statement added.

The group said in appreciation for all the good works the couple has been doing in Igbo land, Igbos are ready to honour Sen. Akpabio’s wife, Dr. Mrs. Unoma Ekaite Akpabio soon for her constant reach and support for any thing that concerns Igbo people, describing their act towards her as paying back with love that she has so much extended to her people through her beloved husband.

By Our Correspondent

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has officially declared the Ondo South Senatorial seat vacant following Senator Jimoh Ibrahim’s appointment as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, UN.

Ibrahim was last week accredited as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative in New York after presenting his Letter of Credence to UN Secretary‑General, António Guterres.

Announcing the vacancy during Tuesday’s plenary, Akpabio said it takes immediate effect in line with constitutional provisions.

He directed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to conduct a by‑election to fill the seat within the next 30 days.

Under the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the Senate is required to notify INEC of any vacancy in its membership to initiate a fresh election.

Senator Ibrahim, a businessman and politician, represented Ondo South Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC before his diplomatic appointment.

His presentation of the letter of credence marks the official start of Ibrahim’s duties as Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

During the ceremony, Ibrahim conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s goodwill, commending Guterres for his leadership and commitment to the principles of the UN Charter at a critical moment in global affairs.

Highlighting Africa’s role within the UN system, Ibrahim said President Tinubu recognizes the continent’s contributions in supporting the Secretary‑General and the G77 plus China bloc during General Assembly deliberations.

He stressed that this backing reinforces the call for a permanent African seat on the UN Security Council, describing such a move as a historic milestone that would strengthen global peace and security, especially across Africa.

By Our Correspondent

A former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has been entrusted with coordinating the activities of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a move seen as part of broader political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Kalu, who currently chairs the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission, disclosed that the directive followed a recent visit to the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Confirming the development via his official Facebook page, the former Senate Chief Whip expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in him.

“I sincerely thank His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the confidence reposed in me and the marching order to coordinate activities in Abia State in respect of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC),” he stated.

He further outlined his strategic focus, emphasising party cohesion and electoral preparedness in the state.

“As the most senior Governor in the state, I am committed to working closely with all stakeholders, in line with the President’s directive, to ensure that the APC in Abia produces candidates who are widely acceptable, united in purpose, and well-positioned to secure victory in the state for the President’s re-election, while advancing the best interests of Abia State and Nigeria at large,” Kalu added.

The assignment underscores ongoing efforts by the APC to strengthen its grassroots structure in Abia State, a region where the party has historically faced stiff competition, while positioning itself for improved electoral performance.

Meanwhile, in a related development that further highlights the administration’s political calculus ahead of 2027, there are strong indications that President Tinubu may be favourably disposed to granting automatic Senate tickets to a select group of lawmakers.

This was hinted at by the Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, popularly known as Kauran Gwandu, during an interaction with political stakeholders in the state.

According to the governor, the lawmakers under consideration for continuity include prominent figures such as Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara West), Kalu (Abia North), and Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), among others.

Also listed are Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), Abdullahi Yahaya Abubakar (Kebbi North), Idiat Oluranti Adebule (Lagos West), Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central), and Adetokunbo Abiru (Lagos East).

Governor Idris noted that the senators being considered have played a pivotal role in stabilising the National Assembly by providing steady leadership, fostering synergy with the executive arm, and ensuring the seamless passage of critical policies and reforms under the current administration.

He stressed that their contributions have strengthened governance and reinforced legislative-executive cooperation, factors believed to be influencing the consideration for automatic return tickets.

Although there has been no official confirmation from the Presidency or the APC’s national leadership regarding the proposed automatic tickets, the development has already generated significant debate within political circles, with analysts viewing it as a strategic effort to retain experienced lawmakers while consolidating political loyalty ahead of the next electoral cycle.

Taken together, Kalu’s new coordinating role in Abia and the reported plan for automatic Senate tickets reflect a broader consolidation strategy by the Tinubu administration aimed at reinforcing party structures at the state level while maintaining stability and continuity within the National Assembly.