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Senate President: Akwa Ibom group writes Akpabio, urges him to step down for Orji Uzor Kalu
Former governor of Akwa Ibom state, senator Godswill Akoabio has been urged to drop his political ambition to be president of the Senate and support former Abia state governor, Orji Uzor Kalu for the position.
An Akwa Ibom group, Coalition for Better Nigeria Under Bola Ahmed Tinubu told Akoabio this, through a letter they sent to the lawmaker himself.
They also sent the same letter to the two other senators from Akwa Ibom state, urging them to support Orji Kalu who is currently the Chief Whip of the Senate.
In the letter, the group called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the senators elect to consider Kalu and elect him as the next president of the senate.
According to the letter issued on Wednesday, signed by its coordinator, Solomon Akpan and made available to Nationwide Reports, the group said that Kalu will help bring stability to the government of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, adding that Kalu with his experience and capacity will foster unity and national peace.
The letter read in parts “We are a group of Nigerians formed into a union to offer technical support and advice, unsolicited but from patriotic point of view to assist President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisions that will heal past wounds, reconcile various interest, give all Nigerians a sense of belonging and foster national unity, peace and stability.
“We write to Congratulate you on your election as Senators representing the three Senatorial (geopolitical) districts of Akwa Ibom. We deem it as well deserved and a call for duty. We count on you to help Mr. President to serve Nigerians well and bring about the unity of the country.
“From Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Capital, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all Senators elect and wish them the best legislative experience. As the National Assembly will be inaugurated on 13th June 2023, our Coalition and indeed the masses of Akwa Ibom State solicit your support to elect Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, former governor of Abia State elected under the platform of APC who hails from South East as President of the Senate. We consider this call as a patriotic duty which we owe to stabilize Nigeria and set the tone for the healing, restoration of peace and stability in the South East.
“Orji Uzor Kalu is a seasoned politician, well experienced and exposed to the workings of the Senate of the Federal Republic. He has been an uncompromising pillar of support to President Tinubu and the APC as a party.
“South East over the years has remained a stronghold of opposition until the intervention of His Excellency, Senator Kalu and other stakeholders in the zone and today, APC can boast of more vote than ever and six Senators from the zone in the about to be formed Senate.
“We consider His Excellency, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as the national consensus that every stakeholder must embrace because of the long-term benefits Nigeria will get especially in working with the new government to resolve the Biafra agitation and question of exclusion which the South East zone has complained of in the last administration.
“Most respectfully, let Senators vote for the unity, oneness and progress of Nigeria. We thank and congratulate you once again.” the group said.
15 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, have left the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Amaewhule disclosed the lawmakers’ decision during Friday’s plenary, attributing their defection to what he called a “clear division” within the PDP.
“Distinguished colleagues, very happily, let me announce that your Speaker has decided, and has indeed written to my ward chairman of my decision, to leave the PDP. APC is my new party,” Amaewhule said.
Amaewhule’s Deputy, Dumle Maol, is one of the 16 lawmakers that joined APC as well.
All the lawmakers, who have jumped ship, are core loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Chief Nyesom Wike.
The Central Bank of Nigeria,has rolled out a new framework ito expedite handling of fraud accusations and refund victims.
Customers must report suspected fraudulent transactions within 72 hours under this draft guideline, and financial institutions have 16 working days to look into the matter and repay money.
The action comes in the wake of a dramatic increase in banking sector fraud.
According to data from the Financial Institutions Training Center, losses in the first quarter of 2025 increased to ₦3.29 billion, a startling 603 percent increase over the previous year. In the same time frame, reported cases also increased to 12,347.
The November 26, 2025, proposed regulations seek to improve bank accountability, expedite reimbursements, and boost prevention.
Director of the Financial Policy and Regulation Department Rita Sike signed the circular, which describes stricter regulations intended to prevent fraud before it occurs.
The apex bank’s ongoing fight against financial fraud has advanced with the adoption of this guidance. To enhance cooperation between operators, it established the Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum in 2011.
It directed banks to establish specialized fraud bureaus four years later. By requiring BVN or NIN for account opening, it reinforced Know Your Customer checks in 2023.
Operatives of the Department of State Service have arrested a medical doctor treating wounded kidnappers inside the forest in different parts of Kwara State.
The suspect, whose name could not be ascertained at press time, was also involved in supplying drugs to kidnapping gangs operating in Kwara.
The DSS intercepted the medical doctor in the Jebba area after intelligence reports revealed that some couriers had been moving medical supplies from Sokoto to treat wounded bandits hiding in forests across the state.
A security official said many of the criminal groups have sustained gunshot injuries in recent encounters with forces.
The source said, “So, we are advising improved security measures in health facilities in thickly forested areas which the kidnappers may target.”
Confirming the development, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Kwara State, Rafiu Ajakaye, said the arrest was another significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to combat banditry.
Ajakaye noted that the state government will continue to strengthen collaboration with security agencies to shut down all channels aiding kidnapping activities.
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