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I Voted Jonathan in 2015 Because He’s Niger Delta, But My Heart was with Buhari – Akpabio

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Former governor of Akwa Ibom, Godswill Akpabio, has said his heart was with Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 election and not with his party’s candidate, former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Mr Akpabio, who last month defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the disclosure after a meeting of the elders and leaders of Akwa Ibom State with Mr Buhari in the state house on Monday.

Mr Akpabio, until his defection, was a senate minority leader in the national assembly.

According to the reports by several media organisations including Vanguard and ThisDay, the senate minority leader said though his mind and soul were not with Mr Jonathan at the time.

He however said he was compelled to vote for him because Mr Jonathan is from the Niger Delta and he did not want to engage in anti-party activities as a PDP governor and also the chairman of PDP governors’ forum at the time.

However, Mr Akpabio said now that he finally belongs to where his soul and spirit were in 2015, he could freely express his interest at the 2019 polls without fear or favour.

“In 2015, we had a son of the Niger Delta, former President Goodluck Jonathan, contesting the election and I was also a chieftain of the PDP. I was also the Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum. So, in spite of the fact that I believed strongly that the current president needed to be supported, there was no way I could play anti-party activity in 2015. So, I voted for PDP,” he was quoted as saying.

Taking a swipe at his former party, Mr Akpabio alleged that throughout the PDP’S 16 years in office at the federal level, there was not a one kilometre road project by the federal government in the state.

He said Akwa Ibom State would be the first state to be won by the APC in the South-south at the forthcoming 2019 general election, adding that Mr Buhari will win the state by landslide.

“But today, I am at liberty to exercise my franchise and that means I am with my body and soul – that is, with my supporters and my family – and as a leader, we are going out there en masse, in our thousands to cast our votes for the president in 2019 and I am saying this with emphasis,” he said.

He described the current PDP in the state as a mere empty party whose body and soul had moved to the APC, disclosing that no fewer than 266,000 persons had also dumped the PDP for APC since his defection.

According to him, no single indigene of South-south will vote against Mr Buhari in 2019 neither will there be any defection from APC that can affect the chances of the party in the forthcoming elections.

“I can predict that the first state in Nigeria to fall to the APC in 2019 presidential election is Akwa Ibom State. No one can controvert this. l still speak with authority because I have my people’s backing to pronounce what I have just pronounced. Victory is for APC and victory is for Mr President, come 2019 in Akwa Ibom State,” Mr Akpabio said.

Mr Akpabio who said he begged Mr Buhari to be part of his recent trip to Beijing, China, said it was there in China that the plan to hold yesterday’s meeting with Mr Buhari was hatched.

In the delegation were former Petroleum Minister, Don Etiebet; APC governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom in 2015, Umana Umana; former deputy governor of the state, Nsima Nkere; Otoekong Jackson, Sunny Udoh, Eseme Oyibo, national assembly members, among others.

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Tinubu in Abu Dhabi, Pledges Support to Build Sustainable World for All

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President Bola Tinubu has said Nigeria is ready to work with other nations to build a resilient, equitable, and sustainable world for all.

Tinubu spoke in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on the second day of the 2025 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

The president spoke on the topic, “From Climate Imperatives into Economic Prosperity: Bridging Africa with the Global Energy Future.”

He declared that no single nation could walk the road to sustainability alone, stressing that global interconnectedness demand collective action, knowledge sharing, and mutual support.

According to Tinubu, “The fight against climate change is not merely an environmental necessity but a global economic opportunity to reshape the trajectory of our continent and the global energy landscape.

“As leaders, stakeholders and citizens of our planet, we stand at a critical juncture in human history. To succeed, we must innovate, collaborate and act decisively as one global community.”

Reiterating his administration’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions, Tinubu assured the audience that the Nigerian government had developed actionable programmes in line with global expectations, bearing in mind Nigeria’s economic and political expectations.

He said, “We have embraced a vision of sustainability that aligns with global aspirations while addressing local realities. Our efforts are anchored on three pillars: Energy Transition, Climate Resilience, and Sustainable Development.

“My administration recognises the importance of reducing carbon emissions and a just transition to clean and renewable energy, promoting environmental sustainability and economic growth.

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FG Claps Back at Sanusi, Urges Emir to Rise Above Personal Interest

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The Federal Government has responded to recent remarks by Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II regarding the economic reforms implemented under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. The Emir, speaking at a public event in Lagos, acknowledged the initiatives but stated he had chosen “not to help the government” by offering his endorsement.

In a statement released on Thursday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the government acknowledged Sanusi’s right to express his views, defended its policies, emphasizing that Nigeria is at a critical juncture requiring bold and transformative actions to address entrenched economic challenges. The statement highlighted key achievements, including exchange rate unification, the removal of fuel subsidies, and a reduction in the debt service-to-revenue ratio.

“These reforms are not being implemented because they are easy but because they are essential for Nigeria’s long-term stability and growth,” the statement read. It further noted that global institutions like the World Bank have projected positive growth for Nigeria’s economy, affirming that the country is on a path to recovery.

The government expressed disappointment over Emir Sanusi’s perceived reluctance to constructively support these reforms despite his economic expertise. “It is deeply disappointing that reforms widely recognized as essential by global experts—including Emir Sanusi II himself—are now being subtly condemned because of a shift in loyalty,” the statement added.

The government called on leaders, including Emir Sanusi, to prioritize the nation’s collective good over personal interests or partisan sentiments. “Rebuilding Nigeria requires unity, focus, and sacrifice from all stakeholders,” the statement emphasized. “This administration urges esteemed leaders to refrain from rhetoric that undermines public trust.”

President Tinubu’s administration reaffirmed its commitment to fostering economic inclusivity and sustainability. The government pledged to remain open to dialogue with stakeholders while focusing on policies aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians.

“Let history record this moment as a turning point—when leaders and citizens alike choose to prioritize the nation’s destiny over personal gain,” the statement concluded.

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Economic Challenges: I Won’t Offer Any Advice, Emir Sanusi Tells Tinubu

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Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has declared that he will not offer any advice to President Bola Tinubu’s government on how to tackle the economic challenges facing the country.

The emir stated this on Wednesday during the 21st Memorial Lecture of Chief Gani Fawehimi held in Lagos.

Speaking as chairman of the event, Sanusi stated that he started by helping the government, but he has now resolved not to help the government anymore.

He said: “I can give a few points here about what we are going through and how it was predictable and avoidable. But I am not going to do that. I have chosen not to speak on the economy, or reforms, or to explain anything because if I do, it will help this government. But I don’t want to help this government. They are my friends, but if they don’t behave like friends, I won’t behave like a friend.”

Emir Sanusi added: “They don’t even have people with pedigree that can come and explain to the people what they are doing. I am not going to help. I started by helping, but I am not going to help. Let them come and explain to Nigerians why they are pursuing the policies that they are pursuing.

“But I will say this one thing though. What we are going through today is at least in part, a necessary consequence of decades of irresponsible management. People were warning that if we continued the way that we were going, this is how we will end up but they refused to listen.

“Now, is everything being done correctly? No! When I am ready to talk about the economy, I will.”

Sanusi also charged lawyers to emulate the virtues of the late Gani Fawehinmi whom he described as an embodiment of good character now lacking in the legal profession.

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