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Akwa Ibom @ 39: Akpabio Rallies Support for Tinubu, Eno, Predicts Sweeping Victory for APC
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has signaled a strategic shift in the nation’s political landscape, predicting a decisive victory for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking during the state’s 39th-anniversary celebrations, Akpabio, who is the country’s third-highest-ranking official—touted the political stability achieved in the oil-rich Niger Delta region as a blueprint for the national electoral roadmap. He explicitly called for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the incumbent state governor, Umo Eno and himself
Addressing a diverse crowd of stakeholders, Akpabio framed the 2027 election as a referendum on continuity and structural reform. He argued that the economic policies initiated by President Tinubu, while demanding significant sacrifice from the populace, are vital for Nigeria’s long-term industrialization and infrastructure development.
“The case for re-electing President Tinubu rests on national stabilization and long-term economic reforms,” Akpabio said. “The ‘Renewed Hope’ Agenda is a trajectory that Nigeria must maintain to achieve sustained prosperity.”
For international observers, the Senate President’s endorsement of Governor Eno—a member of the opposition who has cultivated a non-partisan, pragmatic approach to local governance—highlights a growing trend of “developmental governance” where state-federal collaboration is being prioritized over traditional partisan combat. Akpabio lauded the governor for bridging historical political divides, effectively creating a unified front that local analysts believe is essential for regional stability in the Niger Delta.
Beyond the ballot box, Akpabio utilized the anniversary platform to advocate for greater regional integration. Drawing on the cultural and historical ties between Akwa Ibom and neighboring Cross River State, the Senate President urged for enhanced formal cooperation between the two states.
“We are one people, one history, and one future,” Akpabio declared, suggesting that the South-South zone’s economic potential could only be fully unlocked through cross-border collaboration and institutionalized regional partnership.
The anniversary served as both a political rally and a moment of historical reflection. Founded on the dreams and advocacy of local leaders, Akwa Ibom has transformed from a modest administrative territory into one of Nigeria’s most consequential states.
Akpabio paid tribute to the pioneers of the state, noting that its development has been driven primarily by the resilience and intellectual capital of its citizens. “Our greatest resource has always been our people,” he remarked, citing their achievements across sectors ranging from academia and sports to the global professional services industry.
By framing re-election not just as a partisan victory, but as a commitment to a unified national development strategy, the APC leadership is clearly aiming to preemptively consolidate support ahead of a contentious 2027 cycle. As Akwa Ibom prepares to hit the four-decade milestone next year, the alignment between the local government in Uyo and the federal administration in Abuja appears to be the primary pillar of the party’s upcoming campaign strategy.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed confidence that the visible achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration will secure victory for the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) in the FCT during the 2027 general elections.
Wike, who stated this after inspecting the ongoing Apo-Karshi and Bwari-Kubwa road projects, stressed that good governance remains the most reliable metric for political success.
He said that the administration’s performance in infrastructure delivery, particularly in long-neglected satellite towns, leaves the opposition with nothing to offer voters beyond empty stories.
He argued that the tangible results on the ground make an unassailable case for President Tinubu’s re-election, including Sen. Philip Aduda (FCT) and House of Representatives candidate John Gabaya (Bwari Federal Constituency).
He said; “If good governance is a barometer to measure whether a government has succeeded or not, then we have nothing to fear.
“Now, the Tinubu administration has come and it’s not only listening to you, it’s not only caring for you, it’s solving your problems. Why will they want to change their mind?”
Dismissing opposition rhetoric, the minister said; “This is the campaign. The people who will come, what will they come with?
“They will tell them stories. But we have not come with stories, we have come with facts, verifiable facts. I can beat my chest, I can close my eyes and go home and sleep with my two eyes closed, that Tinubu will emerge. I have no fear at all.”
The minister pointed out that Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has shifted development priorities beyond the city centre to directly touch satellite communities.
“The Renewed Hope administration has redefined infrastructure delivery as far as FCT is concerned, not just within the city, but also within the satellite towns.
“We thank God Almighty that has given us a President who has come to listen and to change the narrative that development must not only be concentrated within the city centers, but also spread in the satellite towns,” he said.
Speaking on the projects, Wike said the long-delayed Apo-Karshi road project was on course for completion in November.
He also said that the dualisation of the Bwari-Kubwa road, where residents turned out in large numbers to welcome his delegation, would also be delivered in December.
“Work on site is set to intensify by the first week of October as seasonal heavy rains abate,” he said.
. Dismantling the syndicate is another proof transnational drug networks won’t have any space to operate in Nigeria, says Marwa
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has once again struck a decisive blow against transnational organised crime with the dismantling of a Nigerian-Mexican drug cartel operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Eziama community in Obeagu, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Two kingpins: 45-year-old Chukwu Obumneme Christopher, alias Brown, and 60-year-old Chukwu Georginus Monday, alias George, were arrested in connection with the operation of the meth lab in partnership with a notorious Mexican drug cartel member, Rodriguez Villanueva, based in Mexico City, Mexico, after several months of intelligence and surveillance on the syndicate.
As a result, they were arraigned before Hon. Justice Mabel Taiye Segun-Bello of the Federal High Court, Enugu Judicial Division, on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, the organisation, management and financing of a Drug Trafficking Organization, and unlawful possession of precursor chemicals used in methamphetamine production, contrary to the NDLEA Act. After their plea, Justice Segun-Bello has now scheduled their trial for 21st October 2026, following an application by the Agency for an accelerated hearing.
Also named in the charge, and currently at large, are Uchenna, alias Uche; Celestine Ikemefuna Iwuchukwu; and Rodriguez Villanueva, who is a notorious member of a Mexican drug cartel.
Investigations by a Special Operations Unit (SOU) of NDLEA revealed a sophisticated, transnational operation by the Nigerian-Mexican cartel. Surveillance activities by NDLEA between 1st and 4th December, 2025, tracked Brown’s movements between Lagos, Enugu and Anambra States, ultimately leading operatives to a compound in Obeagu where a clandestine laboratory capable of producing methamphetamine in commercial quantities was uncovered. The lab, fitted with improvised reactors and distillation apparatus, mirrored similar facilities recently dismantled in Ogun, Oyo and Ebonyi.
A search of the premises led to the recovery of vast quantities of precursor chemicals, including 690 litres of methylamine, 1,000 litres of isopropyl alcohol, 300 litres of hydrochloric acid, 290 litres each of toluene and acetone, 400 litres of liquid sodium hydroxide, 125 kilograms of N-phenylacetamide, 414 kilograms of lead acetate, and 769.6 kilograms of tartaric acid, among other controlled substances, a haul consistent with a high-potency, P2P-based methamphetamine manufacturing operation.
A related search of George’s family residence yielded eight large fuel tanks, four commercial gas burners, four dehydrators, and 11 kilograms of ephedrine, further underscoring the scale of the cartel’s operations.
Reacting to the development, Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), reaffirmed the Agency’s unwavering resolve to track down every fleeing suspect connected to the cartel, and ensure that they all face the full weight of the law.
He
commended all NDLEA officers involved in the operation for their professionalism and doggedness in cracking yet another international drug syndicate. He described the Enugu lab bust as further proof that Nigeria will not be allowed to become a haven for transnational drug cartels, warning that the Agency’s intelligence-driven operations and international partnerships would continue to close every loophole exploited by drug barons, whether local or foreign. He reiterated his charge to all NDLEA personnel to sustain the momentum of relentless enforcement until the nation is rid of the scourge of illicit drug production and trafficking.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has criticised the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for approving the importation of 830,000 tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in the fourth quarter of 2026.
MURIC described the approval as unnecessary, wasteful and counterproductive, arguing that greater priority should be given to Nigeria’s domestic refineries.
The organisation made its position known in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Prof. Isiaq Akintola, and made available to journalists on Thursday.
NMDPRA recently approved the importation of 830,000 tonnes of PMS for the fourth quarter of 2026. However, MURIC said the decision was difficult to justify amid increased domestic refining capacity, particularly with the operations of the Dangote Refinery.
Akintola urged the petroleum industry regulator and other relevant government agencies to work closely with local refineries and reduce the country’s reliance on imported refined petroleum products.
According to him, continued importation could undermine investments in Nigeria’s refining sector and frustrate efforts to achieve greater domestic fuel production.
“We expect NMDPRA and all other government agencies in the petroleum industry to cooperate with our local refineries. The importation of refined fuel should stop forthwith,” he said.
The group argued that Nigeria should prioritise locally refined petroleum products as part of efforts to strengthen the domestic economy and maximise investments in the country’s refining infrastructure.
“The Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, has approved 830,000 tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, imports for the fourth quarter of 2026 despite ample evidence of petrol self-sufficiency in the country with the presence of local production efficacy courtesy of Dangote Refinery.
“MURIC considers this move as unnecessary, wasteful, counterproductive, regressive and unpatriotic. We therefore condemn it in the strongest terms,” the statement added.
2027: Tinubu’s good governance ‘ll secure FCT victory – Wike
NDLEA busts Nigerian-Mexican meth cartel, docks kingpins over Enugu clandestine lab(Photos)
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