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President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has described Akwa Ibom State as a shining example of unity, development and progress in Nigeria.

Akpabio spoke on Tuesday as the Special Guest of Honour at the official commissioning of an Airbus A220-300 aircraft acquired by Ibom Air at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo.

A statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, quoted Akpabio, a former two-term governor of the state, as saying the latest development had further positioned Akwa Ibom as a model for other states.

“With the commissioning of today, Akwa Ibom State has become the shining example of unity, development and progress in Nigeria,” he said.

The Senate President commended Governor Umo Eno for his administration’s efforts in transforming the state, particularly in the areas of infrastructure and human capital development.

“Thank you for the transformation you have brought to the state. Everyone that appreciates your efforts and prays for you shall continue to live long to see the developments you are doing in the state,” Akpabio said.

He stressed the importance of maintaining unity in the state, declaring his support for the state government and the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“The unity of this state remains paramount. I stand on Arise in this state and at the federal level, we all stand on the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he added.

Akpabio also praised Eno for investing in the training of young people from the state for careers in the aviation industry.

“Let me thank Governor Eno for what I have seen here today, particularly the number of Akwa Ibom children you are training to join the aviation industry. I am seeing Eno in me. He is also seeing himself in me,” he said.

He commended the Chairman of Ibom Air, Captain Mfon Udom, and the airline’s management for the acquisition of the aircraft, describing the development as a significant milestone for the state.

“Nothing is as gratifying as my presence here today. I am assuring us all that this state will never experience what other states experienced in the past between their governor and the President of the Senate.

“As a good student of history, I have made up my mind that rather than fight with my governor, I will join hands with him to develop our state,” Akpabio declared.

The Senate President further commended Governor Eno for continuing projects inherited from previous administrations, saying the decision demonstrated continuity in governance.

“Thank you, Governor Eno, for not abandoning the money of Akwa Ibom people. You have decided to complete all projects initiated by previous administrations. This shows that you are truly a man of God,” he said.

Akpabio also acknowledged former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, for the creation of Akwa Ibom State in 1987.

“Let me also use this opportunity to thank former President of Nigeria, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, for creating this state for us. May God continue to bless and keep him,” he added.

Eno declares September month of appreciation

Earlier, Governor Eno thanked Akpabio for honouring the state’s invitation to formally commission the Airbus A220-300 aircraft on behalf of the state government.

Eno declared September a month of appreciation, noting that the month marked the anniversary of the creation of Akwa Ibom State out of the old Cross River State by the Babangida administration in 1987.

He urged the people of the state to use the period to appreciate God for the progress recorded by Akwa Ibom since its creation.

The governor described the acquisition of the Airbus as part of Ibom Air’s fleet expansion programme and commended past leaders of the state for laying the foundation for the development of the state’s aviation sector.

He thanked them for “the vision they espoused and the pathway they created, leading to this moment where, with the finisher’s anointing, we are expanding the growth of our aviat

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has picked the Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Major Jack, as the running mate to its 2027 governorship candidate,Rep Kingsley Ogundu Chinda.

The development signals the party’s move to consolidate its political structure in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The APC Publicity Secretary in Rivers State, Ikenga Chibike, confirmed Jack’s emergence on Tuesday.

With the announcement, Jack will contest alongside Chinda as the APC’s deputy governorship candidate in the state.

Chinda emerged as the party’s governorship candidate after the APC primary election held in May 2026, setting the stage for the party’s campaign to unseat the incumbent administration.

Why Jack?

The choice of Jack is understood to be part of the APC’s strategy to achieve geographical balance on its governorship ticket while expanding its support base across Rivers State.

Party sources said his political reach, particularly in the riverine communities, was also considered an advantage as the APC seeks to strengthen its grassroots network ahead of the election.

The pairing of Chinda and Jack is therefore expected to give the party a broader geographical appeal, particularly in a state where political support is often influenced by senatorial districts, ethnic considerations and local political structures.

Jack’s Defection

Jack’s emergence as the APC’s deputy governorship candidate also comes less than two years after his defection to the party.

He joined the APC in December 2025 alongside the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and several other lawmakers.

The defections marked a major shift in the political alignment within the state legislature and further strengthened the APC’s presence in Rivers politics.

The lawmakers’ movement to the APC followed months of intense political rivalry and realignment among the state’s political actors.

With the 2027 election now approaching, the APC is banking on the Chinda-Jack ticket, its growing grassroots structure and the recent political realignments to mount a formidable challenge in Rivers State.

The development also sets up an increasingly competitive race as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 governorship election.

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A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ehiozuwa J. Agbonayinma, has taken legal steps against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, demanding that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reopen and prosecute an alleged financial crimes case involving the former Vice President.

Agbonayinma, through his solicitors, is asking the anti-graft agency to revisit its investigation into Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The demand is contained in a letter addressed to the EFCC and signed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Hannibal Egbe Uwaifo, on behalf of Agbonayinma.

The lawyers gave the commission 14 days to act or face further legal action.

In the letter, the solicitors recalled that the EFCC investigated allegations of corruption involving Atiku between 2005 and 2006, when he was Vice President.

They said the investigation culminated in a report titled, “The EFCC Report on Vice-President Abubakar Atiku (Full Report),” dated September 2006.

According to the lawyers, the report contained allegations of corruption, money laundering and other financial crimes involving the former Vice President.

They further claimed that the EFCC had indicated that Atiku would be prosecuted after leaving office, but that no such prosecution had taken place.

The solicitors described the alleged failure to act as a “deliberate dereliction of duty” and urged the commission to revive the matter.

They also cited an alleged investigation by the United States Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

According to the lawyers, the US Senate investigation produced a report dated February 4, 2010, which they claimed contained allegations of money laundering and other financial crimes involving Atiku.

Agbonayinma’s lawyers are therefore demanding that both the 2006 EFCC report and the 2010 US Senate report be reactivated and considered as the basis for fresh prosecution.

They argued that reopening the case would send a strong message that no Nigerian, regardless of political status or influence, is above the law.

The lawyers also praised the current leadership of the EFCC, saying it has the opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to fighting corruption by revisiting the allegations against the former Vice President.

The letter stated that their client believes prosecution of the case could become a major milestone in the commission’s anti-corruption campaign.

“TAKE NOTICE that if, after 14 days of this letter, your Commission, the EFCC, refuses or neglects to act, our further instruction is to take legal action against your Commission,” the lawyers warned.

The latest development comes as Atiku prepares for the 2027 presidential contest under the ADC, adding a fresh legal and political dimension to the longstanding allegations surrounding his time in government.

However, the allegations contained in the letter are claims by Agbonayinma and his legal representatives and have not, by themselves, established criminal liability against Atiku. Any prosecution would be subject to investigation, due process and determination by a competent court.