President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has declared that President Bola Tinubu will not suffer the same political fate as former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2027.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by his media aide, Anietie Ekong.
The former Akwa Ibom State governor also warned that the Niger Delta region would strongly resist any plot to unseat the incumbent.
Speaking at the grand finale of the 25th anniversary celebration of the Niger Delta Development Commission in Port Harcourt, Akpabio declared that the people of the oil-rich region had unanimously resolved to support Tinubu’s re-election bid due to his impactful projects.
He said, “They did it before and conspired to remove our son, President Goodluck Jonathan. This time around, the entire Niger Delta region has decided to speak with one voice.
“Let those conspiring against President Tinubu hear this loud and clear — on his mandate we stand. No conspiracy formed against this government that has recognised the Niger Delta shall prosper.”
Akpabio, who served as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs during the Buhari administration, praised Tinubu for establishing new institutions, including the Environmental Sciences University in Ogoni, a Maritime University in Okerenkoko, and other tertiary institutions focused on agriculture and technology.
The Senate President said no President has dedicated more resources and commitment to the Niger Delta than Tinubu has.
“This is the region that produces the wealth of the nation. We have the right to choose who manages our resources. People should not think anyone can just become president without consulting the Niger Delta,” he warned.
The event, which was held in Rivers State, had in attendance Jonathan, Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Senator George Akume (representing the President); Rivers State Administrator, Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd); federal lawmakers, ministers, traditional rulers, and other key stakeholders from the region.
Akpabio also decried the frequent leadership changes in the NDDC, describing it as a major impediment to development.
He blamed internal wrangling, political sabotage, and “periwinkle politics” — a reference to petty rivalries and jostling for control — for the agency’s inability to deliver on its mandate for years.
“Each new leadership came with fresh ideas, abandoning projects initiated by their predecessors. That’s how we ended up with over 14,700 abandoned projects across the region.
“When I became minister, I had to force the completion of the Commission’s headquarters, which had been neglected for over 20 years,” he stated.
However, the Senate president commended the current NDDC management under Dr Samuel Ogbuku, praising their adherence to the founding vision of the Commission and their commitment to continuity.
“I salute the present management. President Tinubu understands the value of stability and has allowed the current board to serve its full term. This is how to break the cycle of waste and begin to see real impact,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Jonathan lauded the President for sustaining the current board, describing it as a wise move that would help drive sustainable development in the region.
In a goodwill message delivered by Akume, Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to the development of the Niger Delta, noting that the NDDC remains central to economic growth and social well-being in the region.
He listed the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as a signature project that will complement the East-West Road and unlock trade, commerce, and connectivity for the people of the region.
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