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Timi Frank apologises for working against Jonathan in 2015, calls for intervention in PDP crisis
The Bayelsa-born political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Timi Frank has tendered apology to the former President Goodluck Jonathan for working against him in 2015.
His apology is coming 7 years after Jonathan left office having been defeated by President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a presidential election in 2015.
In a statement he issued on Sunday which was made available to journalists, Timi Frank said, it was obvious to Nigerians and the clique that worked against the return of Jonathan that the ex-President was far better than President Muhammadu Buhari, given the high rate of economic and social woes confronting the nation.
The activist said: “I want to use this opportunity once more, to apologise to you for the wrong position we took in 2015.
“We are sorry, we now know better. Nigerians are faced with so many economic woes and insecurity since 2015.
“I’d like to use this opportunity to implore you to find a place to forgive me personally and the entire country in general.
On crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Frank urged ex-President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene, saying that he cannot shy away from the party as a state man he is.
“The only way to show that forgiveness is by playing a role to finding a lasting solution to the challenges confronting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the moment.
“This is coming against the background that you are seen as a father and a leader to the entire good people of Nigeria.
“Don’t look away when your house is burning. I recognise your statesmanship status and so many Nigerians support that position.
“However, as a father to the entire PDP family, on whose platform you had governed this country and the country which you left about seven years ago has come to be known as the poverty capital of the world.
“I employ you in the spirit of peace and the love of country to intervene and bring the warring factions together to ensure we coast to victory in order to salvage the country come next year.
“Kindly do all that is possible to make PDP return to power to enable us continue with the trajectory of good governance. PDP is the only party that can rescue and unify the country.
“You are a symbol of peace in Africa, let the role being continuously played by you in Africa reflect in Nigeria.
“Nigerians and I have made mistakes and we acknowledge the mistakes. Therefore, we plead with you to find a place in your heart to forgive and forget as life is not devoid of mistakes.
“Our great leader, the symbol of peace in Nigeria in particular and Africa in general, find a place to forgive us all as you celebrate your birthday today.
“Once more, a very big congratulations to you and the entire family. We pray the good Lord will continue to bless and strengthen you in all you do in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
While congratulating Jonathan on his 65th birthday, he pleaded with him to continue to play his role of mediation for the love of country.
He urged the former President to do all in his power to make PDP return to power in 2023 “to enable us continue with the trajectory of good governance.”
Frank who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East, described Jonathan as a visionary leader whose guidance and direction are truly inspirational and of tremendous blessing to all.
He insisted that it has become imperative for Jonathan to urgently broker peace between the Presidential Candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the warring G-5 Governors led by Nyesom Wike, in order to stabilise the party and brighten its chances of winning the 2023 general elections.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umar Radda, over the passing of his mother, Hajiya Safarau Umar Baribari.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Dr. Ganduje described Hajiya Safarau’s death as a profound loss that has left a deep void in the hearts of her family, friends, and the people of Katsina State.
Extending his sympathies, the APC National Chairman condoled with Governor Radda, the bereaved family, and the entire people of Katsina State during this difficult time.
He acknowledged the remarkable contributions of the late Hajiya Safarau and prayed for Almighty Allah (SWT) to grant her eternal rest in Jannatul Firdaus while strengthening the family to bear this irreplaceable loss.
Dr. Ganduje urged Governor Radda and others affected to find comfort in the cherished memories and enduring legacy of the deceased.
Reaffirming the APC’s support, the former Kano State governor assured the people of Katsina State of the party’s solidarity in their time of grief and prayed that Allah (SWT) grant the departed soul Al-Jannah Firdaus. Ameen.
The wife of Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), Hajia Aishat has offered cash and food items worth millions of naira to widows and vulnerable women across Dekina local government Councils, promises to take similar gesture across the nine local government in Kogi East.
The exercise which was tagged: “Widows Empowerment”, saw the Senator’s wife distributing cash and food items to cushion the effect of Ramadan.
Items distributed are bags of rice bags of salt, cartons of seasoning, maggi etc, which were evenly distributed to widows and vulnerable women across party lines.
A beneficiary who spoke with our correspondent at Odu in Dekina Local Government Council, Hon Fitumi thanked Hajia for her continuous effort in coming through for widows and vulnerable regularly.
She acknowledged similar gesture by Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), a fortnight ago at Ankpa when youths in their numbers from three Local Government Areas were trained in Agriculture and empowered, stressing that people are now living testimony to the effort of the lawmaker.
“”We are aware of several intervention projects, empowerment and developmental projects of Senator Echocho and we are not surprised seeing Hajia toeing the similar path.
“The distribution of food items and cash today is not only a rekindling of hope to the beneficiaries, but an encouragement that despite their condition, they were not forgotten.
Hajia Labran, and other APC Women leaders who spoke on behalf of women, applauded Hajia Aisha Echocho and pray Allah to strengthen her to carry on, urged others to emulate her sustainable initiatives.
The women advised other political office holders to emulate what is good and just, which they believed would strengthen the party.
As part of the activities to celebrate the golden anniversary of the University of Calabar, the wife of the President of the Senate, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Godswill Akpabio was on Saturday, March 22, 2025 conferred with an honorary doctorate degree in Education Management.
The ceremony held at the main campus of the institution in Calabar, Cross River State also saw the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike awarded the honorary doctorate degree in Law.
Other awardees included Major General Moses Bisong Obi (rtd) (Doctor of Peace and Conflict Studies) and Supreme Court Justice, Emmanuel Akomaye Obi (Doctor of Law).
In her acceptance speech after the conferment by the 15th Emir of Kano and Chancellor of the University, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Akpabio thanked the Governing Council and Management of the University for finding her worthy of the honour.
A statement by the Special Assistant on Media/communication to the President of the Senate, Anietie Ekong quoted Mrs Akpabio as saying “I am happy to be honoured with this award from the prestigious University of Calabar that I have heard so much about from my dear husband, an alumnus of this great institution.
“I was wondering when I will join him as a great Malabress and that day has come and I am grateful to the University for this honour,” she said.
Mrs Akpabio promised to work with other awardees especially the Minister of the FCT to provide infrastructural assistance to the university.
In a citation the University extolled Mrs Akpabio for her philanthropic and humanitarian efforts towards uplifting the lives of women and the vulnerable of the society through her non governmental organisation, the Family Life Enhancement Initiative.
She was also recognized as a Champion of women’s rights and as one who used her position as the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State to fight for the inclusion of more women in governance.
On his part, Chief Wike said he was honoured to be among the recipients of award. He extolled the Visitor of the University, President Bola Tinubu for working tirelessly to promote tertiary education in the country.
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