Akpabio sees me as devil, Oshiomhole alleges

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of harboring a deep-seated and unfounded bias against him. Oshiomhole stated on the MIC ON PODCAST that Akpabio is "paranoid" and perceives him as a threat, even suggesting the Senate President would prefer to exclude him from the Senate.

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Don’t forget that I was a founding governor of the APC and Deputy DG of Bola Tinubu Campaign Council that gave us victory. I’m not saying I am responsible for the victory, but I worked for it, and I’m happy we got it.

Oshiomhole, a former Edo State governor and a founding member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, highlighted his contributions to the party and President Bola Tinubu's electoral victory. He expressed his belief that Akpabio's bias is well-known within the Senate, stating, "If Senator Akpabio have his way, he will lock me out of the senate because he has misled himself into thinking that I am probably the devil he knows."

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He (Akpabio) is so paranoid about anything that has to do with me. Everybody in the senate knows that if Senator Akpabio have his way, he will lock me out of the senate because he has misled himself into thinking that I am probably the devil he knows. There are many angels he doesn’t know.

The senator also predicted significant shifts in the Senate leadership, citing widespread discontent among lawmakers regarding Akpabio's leadership style. He shared an anecdote where Akpabio allegedly became uncomfortable when Senator Yari approached the Senate President about a committee position, interpreting it as a plot against him. Oshiomhole emphasized that a Senate President is "first among equals" and subject to the collective will of the senators.

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The 11th Senate will not be like the 10th, this I can say. It can’t be. Senators are grumbling about his style of leadership. But we try to manage, and I’ve tried to assure him that ‘Look, Mr Senate President, I am a very fulfilled person.’

Oshiomhole asserted that he is a "fulfilled person" and is focused on serving his constituents. He declined to speculate on the specific reasons for Akpabio's alleged bias but indicated that the tension is palpable within the legislative chamber.

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Senator Yari approached the Senate President and said that he wanted to be the Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior. I am the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior. The Senate President said to him, so you want to join Senator Oshiomhole to plan how to remove me as Senate President? But I just laugh it off.