Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has debunked rumours claiming that Senators got a $15,000 bribe to endorse the proclamation of a state of emergency on Rivers State.

Akpabio was reacting to several reports, which claimed that the lawmakers received the money in his Maitama home, during the breaking of their Ramadan fast.

The rumours claimed the Senators received $5,000 on Tuesday and then $10,000 on Wednesday, the day before they voted on the proclamation.

However, Akpabio speaking through his Special Adviser on Media, Hon Eseme Eyiboh said: “I am aware and it is true that since Senator Godswill Akpabio, the president of the Senate assumed that position he has been breaking fast.

“He did it last year, he did it this year, so why is it turning it into a rumour?

“On the issue of the dollars, he is giving the money for what? I am aware of the breaking of the fast but I can tell you I am not aware and it is not true of the dollars, whether $5,000 or $10,000, people are just conjuring it to be able to give flavour to their malice and hate campaign.”

“People are just conjuring the story of the $5,000, $10,000 to add flavour to their malice and hate campaign. He has been doing it. He did it last year, so why is this one associated with money,” Eyiboh asked.

The Coalition for Democracy and Development, CDD, has urged key players in the ongoing crisis in Rivers State to put aside their personal interests and sign a new peace pact within 90 days.

The coalition warned the embattled governor, Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike that they will be held responsible for everything happening in Rivers if they fail to sign peace deal.

In a statement signed by its convener, Dr. George Ifure, CDD emphasised that the ongoing crisis in Rivers State is a clear indication of the failure of leadership and the pursuit of selfish interests by both the FCT Minister and the incumbent Governor.

The coalition condemned several moves by Wike and Fubara that led to the political crisis, stating that their pursuit of selfish interests has prioritised personal gains over the welfare of Rivers people.

Ekwutosblog reports that the political crisis in Rivers State recently escalated, resulting in President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency and the suspension of Fubara, his deputy and all elected members of the state assembly.

This was despite a previous peace pact signed by Governor Fubara and the FCT Minister in December 2023.

Concerned over the worsening crisis, CDD warned that Nigerians are ready to hold them responsible if they fail to sign a peace pact within the next 90 days.

“We call on Wike and Governor Fubara to put aside their differences and work towards signing a new peace pact within the next 90 days. We urge them to prioritize the interests of the people and find a lasting solution to the crisis.

“We urge President Bola Tinubu to make history with the way he handles the Rivers State crisis. This is a pivotal moment that requires bold and visionary leadership.

“We implore him to focus on the welfare and interests of the Nigerian people, to listen to their voices, and to work towards a peaceful and democratic resolution that will restore democratic governance in Rivers State.

“We urge all stakeholders to work towards finding a peaceful and democratic solution to the crisis in Rivers State.”

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah made history on March 21, 2025, as she was sworn in as Namibia’s first female president, reaching the pinnacle of leadership nearly six decades after joining the country’s liberation movement.

At 72 years old, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s election in November 2024 placed her among a select group of female African leaders, following the likes of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, Joyce Banda of Malawi, and Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania.

Her inauguration, attended by regional leaders and former female heads of state, coincided with Namibia’s 35th independence anniversary.

However, due to heavy rains, the event was relocated from a stadium to the presidential office, where she took her oath in front of visiting dignitaries from South Africa, Zambia, Congo, Botswana, Angola, and Kenya.

How it all started 

Born on October 29, 1952, in Onamutai, Namibia, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s political journey began at just 14 years old when she joined the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), the party that led Namibia’s struggle for independence from South Africa.

• Forced into exile in 1973, she worked at SWAPO’s headquarters in Zambia and later pursued political and diplomatic studies in the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom.
• Over the years, she served as Namibia’s deputy prime minister from 2015 to 2024, minister of international relations and cooperation.
• From 2012 to 2015, the minister of environment and tourism from 2010 to 2012, and minister of women affairs and child welfare from 2000 to 2005.
• In 2017, she became the first woman elected as SWAPO’s vice president and later became the party’s first female presidential candidate in 2024.

Following the death of President Hage Geingob in February 2024, she was appointed vice president, serving briefly under acting President Nangolo Mbumba before winning the election.

What to know 

As Namibia’s fifth president, Nandi-Ndaitwah has vowed to continue strengthening the country’s democracy and driving economic progress. In her inaugural address, she emphasized the need to preserve the gains of independence while ensuring economic and social advancement for all Namibians.

She has pledged to focus on boosting economic growth, improving social welfare, and enhancing Namibia’s role in regional and global diplomacy.

“The task facing me as the fifth president of the Republic of Namibia is to preserve the gains of our independence and ensure that the unfinished agenda of economic and social advancement is carried forward with vigor and determination,” she said in her inaugural address. 

Her presidency comes at a crucial time for Namibia, as the country navigates economic challenges, youth unemployment, and sustainable development goals. She has positioned herself as a leader committed to addressing these issues with determination and vision.

Her lifelong commitment to public service and governance has earned her multiple accolades, including the Inter-Generational Leadership Award at the 2024 Nala Feminist Summit, the Thought Leadership Award at the Namibia Sustainable Development Awards, and an honorary doctorate from the University of Dar es Salaam.

Married to Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, former Chief of the Namibian Defence Force, she remains a staunch advocate for women’s empowerment, education, and community development.