He described as malicious a report quoting him to have said the National Assembly would approve the purchase of new aircraft for the President and Vice President, irrespective of the harsh economic situation in the country.

The alleged report comes in the wake of the recommendation by the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence to buy new aircraft for the President and the Vice-President as the existing presidential jets are faulty and unsafe for use.

Last week, President Tinubu flew to South Africa for the inauguration of President Cyril Ramaphosa in a private jet.”

The Presidency justified the need to buy new presidential aircraft while reacting to the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, who described the plan as misplaced and insensitive.

But the Presidency, in a swift reaction, described Obi’s comment as insensitive, wondering if he would rather have the life of the President jeopardised by flying faulty aircraft.

“Does he (Obi) want him (Tinubu) to continue moving around in a rickety plane and die like the VP of Malawi and Iran President? Let him tell us. This is a basic thing any sane government will do. You can’t toy with your President’s welfare,” presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said.

The Presidency justified the need to buy new presidential aircraft while reacting to the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, who described the plan as misplaced and insensitive.

But the Presidency, in a swift reaction, described Obi’s comment as insensitive, wondering if he would rather have the life of the President jeopardised by flying faulty aircraft.

“Does he (Obi) want him (Tinubu) to continue moving around in a rickety plane and die like the VP of Malawi and Iran President? Let him tell us. This is a basic thing any sane government will do. You can’t toy with your President’s welfare,” presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said.

However, Akpabio, in a statement by his media aide, Jackson Udom, denied that the National Assembly had approved the purchase of new aircraft for the President.

According to the statement, the Senate President stated this while speaking to journalists in Maiduguri, Borno State, shortly after leading a delegation to pay a condolence visit to Senator Tahir Monguno over the death of his father.

He said, “I want to dispel the rumour that you are hearing that the Senate President said he would buy a new plane for the President and his Vice, irrespective of the fact that Nigerians are hungry or whatever.

“I never said that. I was actually in Zanzibar, Tanzania. It is the handiwork of propagandists and fifth columnists, who never see anything good in what we are doing.

“Rest assured, pray for the government, have patience and be assured that the combination of Tinubu and Shettima will bring wealth and prosperity to all,” Akpabio said.

He expressed satisfaction with the security situation in Borno State and urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the Tinubu administration.

“I am happy to see that peace has returned to Borno, as a result of the hard work of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I want to tell the good people of Borno to continue to support the administration,” Akpabio said.

Dubbed “N200,000 Palliative Loan By the Senate,” the fake offer displays a misleading image of Senator Akpabio alongside the coat of arms and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) logo.

Disseminated on Facebook under the account name Templeshort, this fraudulent scheme falsely promises instant loan approval.

It is crucial for the public to disregard this misleading advertisement, as it did not originate from the Office of the President of the Senate. Instead, it is the crafty work of fraudsters aiming to exploit unsuspecting Nigerians.

Hon Eseme Eyiboh, the official spokesperson for the President of the Senate, emphasizes that the Senate has no association with Templeshort and disavows any connection with a Facebook handle operating under that name.

Additionally, the President of the Senate is not involved in any loan program or palliative arrangement.

“Senator Godswill Akpabio is not collaborating with the CBN or any other financial institution on any loan facility as a form of palliative,” underscores Hon Eyiboh.

The public is strongly cautioned to exercise vigilance and caution against these deceitful tactics employed by criminals targeting unsuspecting Nigerians.

Advertisements like the one claiming Senate sponsorship for loans or palliative measures are false. There is no such loan or palliative initiative within the office of the President of the Senate or under the name of Senator Godswill Akpabio.

Hon Eyiboh urges the public to dismiss such scams and promptly report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.

According to him, Nigerians blame lawmakers for everything, including things not directly under their control.

The Senate President, represented by the senator representing Ogun Central, Shuaib Salisu, said this on Sunday at the 100th birthday colloquium of a Second Republic lawmaker, Senator Kunle Oyero, organised by the Abeokuta Grammar School Old Boys Association in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Akpabio said, “The one arm of government that people don’t really understand and is always a subject of ridicule and attack is the legislature. In fact, people sometimes don’t think legislators do anything at all.

“The problem is that the metric of measuring the performance of the legislators by the electorate is different from what is contained in the syllabus. The syllabus will say as a legislator your role is to make laws, perform oversight functions and make appropriations; those are the three things a legislator must perform.

“But any senator that confines himself to that will not get a return ticket even in his party because the metric of measuring the performance of legislators is the number of transformers, and other material things they give to the people they are representing.”

However, the Global President of AGSOBA, Sunday Oduntan, advocated that lawmakers should work part-time.

“Nobody should be blamed for anything. Our major problem is the structure and the way we do things. There is one thing to have good laws, another thing is to implement the law and I think that is where the problem is. The political terrain could be a lot better,” he added.

The Senate committees were formed after hours of closed-door sessions.

Some of the heavyweights, who were named committee chairmen include Housing and Urban Development, Aminu Tambuwal; Interior, Adams Oshiomole; Defence, Ahmed Lawan; Water Resources, Abdulaziz Yari; and Navy, Gbenga Daniels.

Others are Constitutional Amendment, Jibrin Barau; Airforce, Senator Godiya Akwashiki; Aviation, Buhari Abdulfatai, Capital Market, Osita Izunaso; Establishment and public services, Cyril Fasuyi; Ecological and Climate Change, Senator Seriake Dickson; Privatisation, Orji Kalu.

See the Full List Below:

1.       Senate Committee on  Air Force
   Akwashiki Godiya

2.      Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption And Financial Crimes
Udende Emmanuel

3.       Senate Committee on Aviation
   Buhari Abdulfatai
4.       Senate Committee on Capital Market
   Osita Izunaso
5.       Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Services
   Cyril Fasuyi

6         Senate Committee on Ecology a Climate Change
Seriake Dickson

7         Senate Committee on Housing and Urban Devt.
Aminu Tambuwal

8         Senate Committee on Interior
Adams Oshiomhole

9          Senate Committee on Downstream Petroleum
Jide Ipisagba

10     Senate Committee on Defence
Ahmed Lawan

11     Senate Committee on Public Accounts
Wadada Ahmed

12     Senate Committee on Special Duties
Kaka Shehu Lawan

13     Senate Committee on Sustainable Devt Goals
Idiat Adebule

14     Senate Committee on Works
Patrick Ndubueze

15     Senate Committee on Appropriation
Solomon Adeola

16     Committee on Ferma
Usaini Babangida

17     Senate Committee on Finance
Sani Musa

18     Senate Committee on Banking  Insurance and Other Financial Institution
Abiru Adeyokunbo

19     Senate Committee on Army
Abdulaziz Yar’adua

20     Senate Committee on Customs Excise and Tariff
Isa Jibrin

21     Senate Committee on Cooperation and Integration  NEPAD
Yau Sahabi

22     Senate Committee on Culture And Tourism
Elisha Abbo

23     Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGO
Victor Umeh

24     Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics
Dankwambo Ibrahim

25     Senate Committee on Education Basic and Secondary
Adamu Usman

26     Senate Committee on Employment and Productivity
Diket Plang

27     Senate Committee on Environment
Akintunde Yunus

28     Senate Committee on Ethics Public Petitions
Imasuen Neda

29     Senate Committee on FCT
Ibrahim Folarin

30     Senate Committee on Federal Character and Governmental Affairs
Allwell Iheanacho

31     Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs
Sani Bello

32     Senate Committee on Gas
Jarigbe Jarigbe

33     Senate Committee on Health
Banigo  Ipalibo

34     Senate Committee on Upstream Petroleum
Etang Williams

35     Senate Committee on Water Resources
Abubakar Yari

36     Senate Committee on Trade  And Investment
Sadik Umar

37     Senate Committee on Solid Minerals
Osita Ngu

38     Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFUND
Dandutse Muntari

39     Senate Committee on States and Local Govt Affairs
Ifeanyi Ubah

40     Senate Committee on Oil And Gas Host Communities
Benson Agadaga

41     Senate Committee on Power
Abaribe Eyinnaya

42     Senate Committee on Police Affairs
Abdulhamid  Madori

43     Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts
Aliyu Wammako

44     Senate Committee on ICT Cyber Crimes
Afolabi Salisu

45     Senate Committee on INEC
Ali Sharafadeen

46     Senate Committee on Industries
Fadahunsi Anthony

47     Senate Committee on Land Transport
Adamu Aliero

48     Senate Committee on Local Content
Sadiku Ohere

49     Senate Committee on National Identity and Population Commission
Abdul Ningi

50     Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs
Yahaya Abdul

51     Senate Committee on National Security And Intelligence
Umar Shehu

52     Senate Committee on Navy
Gbenga Daniel

53     Senate Committee on Niger Delta
Bari Mpigi

54     Senate Committee on Public Procurement
Monday  Ogberu

55     Senate Committee on Rules and Business
Titus Zam

56     Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation
Eze Emeka

57     Senate Committee on Judiciary Human Rights and Legal Matters
Mohammed Tahir Monguno

58     Senate Committee on Youth Aad Sports
Adaramodu Adeyemi

59     Committee on Senate Services
Sunday Karimi

60     Senate Committee on Women Affairs
Ireti Kingibe

61     Senate Committee on Science and Tech.
Aminu Iya Abbas

62     Senate Committee on Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation
David Jimkuta

63     Senate Committee on Nter Parliamentary Affairs
Goje Danjuma

64     Senate Committee on Privatization
Uzor Kalu

65     Senate Committee on Primary Health Care Devt and Disease Control

Ibrahim Lamido

66     Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs
Adaramodu Adeyemi

67     Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance
Musa Madoki

68     Senate Committee on Agric Production Services and Rural Devt
Mustafa Saliu

69     Senate Committee on Communication
Aliyu Bilbis

70     Senate Committee on Marine Transport
Wasiu Eshinlokun

71     Senate Committee on Nddc
Asuquo Ekpenyong

72     Senate Committee on Agricure Colleges and Institutions
Adeniyi Adegbonmire

73     Senate Committee on Naseni
Onyewuchi Ezenwa

74     Senate Committee on Constitution Amendment
Jibrin Barau

The President of the Senate, gave the assurance while receiving in courtesy, the Governor of Ekiti State, Abiodun Oyebanji and members of the National Assembly from the state

Akpabio noted that the removal of fuel subsidy by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration was to address corruption in the Petroleum sector. .

According to Akpabio; “Nigeria as a country would not have survived the next few years if the fuel subsidy had not been removed, adding, salaries and wages of workers would be reviewed in order to ensure that Nigerians have a living wage.”

Speaking further, Akpabio told the governor that; “the Senate is very proud of your representatives in the 10th National Assembly. They are commtted and dedicated members of the legislature and that means the people of Ekiti, the “land of knowledge” have a lot to offer this country particularly, the Senate. We will work with Ekiti State for the overall benefit of Nigerians”, he declared

Speaking earlier, the Ekiti State Governor, Abiodun Oyebanji, commemded the President of the Senate for his achievements in office in the last one month. He declared the total support of the people and government to the success of his tenure as the President of the 10th Senate and their readiness to partner with the legislature to move the country forward.

Prominent names on the list compiled in 2018 are former Governors, Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia), James Ibori (Delta}, Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta) and Senator Peter Nwaoboshi.

While some of these politicians have denied benefitting from NDDC contracts, the commission however enjoined those whose names appeared in the list not to panic as it has been uncovered that some people used their names to get the jobs.

Charles Odili, NDDC’s director of corporate affairs also revealed that the list does not include a case of 250 contracts which were signed for and collected in one day by one person for members of the National Assembly.

Odili said “The Interim Management Committee of the commission stands by the list which came from files already in the possession of the forensic auditors. It is not an Akpabio list but the NDDC’s list; the list is part of the volume of 8,000 documents already handed over to the forensic auditors. Prominent indigenes of the Niger Delta whose names were on the list should not panic as the commission knew that people used the names of prominent persons in the region to secure contracts, and the ongoing forensic audit would unearth those behind the contracts. The intention of the list was to expose committee chairmen in the national assembly who used

Speaking in an interview with Channels TV, Sagay said “If I were the President if I were in his shoes, and if I was to advise him, I would say dissolve this interim committee, remove the Minister of the Niger Delta because he is neck-deep in it and bring in fresh people, probably people who have been properly nominated and then institute a very strict system of monitoring expenditure”

NYCN National President, and Chairman, Nigeria Citizen Action Group, Isah Abubakar, made this call in a statement issued on Monday in Kaduna.

“We advise that Mr President to as a matter of urgency immediately scrap this two commission so as to stop few from taking advantage of the masses,” he said.

Abubakar also charged the government on the need to merge agencies, Ministries and commissions as means to cut costs and reduce corruption.

The group through the statement also called on the Minister of Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio to voluntarily resign his appointment to enable proper investigation of the entire ministry and Commission.

It noted that from available indications and reality on ground, the two commissions are no longer serving the purposes of fast tracking developments but rather served as avenues to loot the regional resources by a few.

“With the audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission one will not hesitate to say that if a similar committee is set to investigate the North East Development Commission, both will have little or no difference. The two commissions are never needed if all government agencies are very proactive, effective and transparent in their responsibility.

“It’s a fact that from 2000 till date, over 20 Trillion Naira have been looted in NDDC alone; this quantum amount of money can transform a Nation not Region. Only 1.1% of the total population of that region benefit from this corrupt setting of government,” the statement explained.

Akapbio filed a petition at the National Assembly Election Tribunal following the declaration of Ekpeyong, a former deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State as winner of the election.

However after the petition was struck out by the tribunal on grounds of lacking merit, the minister headed to the appellate court. The court of appeal in its ruling on Saturday November 9, ordered the Independent and National Electoral Commission to conduct a rerun election in the senatorial district within 90 days.