Akpabio Rejects Acting President Title Amid Tinubu's Absence

Rufai Oseni, an anchor at Arise Television, discussed Senate President Godswill Akpabio's rejection of the title of acting President while President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima were out of the country. Oseni stated that Akpabio's decision raised concerns about the National Assembly's willingness to exercise its constitutional powers.

He criticized the Assembly for its previous endorsement of a state of emergency in Rivers State, suggesting it would not effectively challenge the executive branch. Oseni noted that some of Akpabio's political associates had begun referring to him as acting President, prompting Akpabio to clarify that he did not accept this title.

He emphasized the importance of the National Assembly functioning independently as a co-equal arm of government, questioning whether Akpabio could lead the legislature in asserting this independence while distancing himself from the acting-presidency issue.