In a no-holds-barred interview on the popular Mic On Podcast hosted by veteran journalist Seun Okinbaloye, Senator Adams Oshiomhole has launched a scathing attack on Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing him of shielding the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) due to alleged personal family benefits.
Key highlight:
5 Key Points Summary
- Oshiomhole accused Akpabio of protecting NNPC over alleged personal interests linked to the employment of his daughter.
- He claimed Akpabio’s daughter secured a position at NNPC without due process, alleging she bypassed the standard recruitment procedure.
- The allegations emerged during a Senate probe into NNPC’s finances, where Oshiomhole criticized the company for alleged corruption and nepotism.
- Oshiomhole said most senators supported his stance and accused Akpabio of being paranoid about attempts to challenge his leadership.
- Neither Akpabio nor NNPC has responded to the allegations, which remain unverified but have fueled calls for greater transparency and accountability in public institutions.
The fiery exchange, which aired over the weekend, has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape, escalating long-simmering tensions within the 10th Senate and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the high-stakes 2027 political season.
Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, did not mince words. He claimed that Akpabio’s daughter was handed a “juicy position” at the NNPC by former Group Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari without following due process, including regular interviews or the standard recruitment procedure.
“Somebody told me that the Senate president’s daughter was taken without going through the regular interview, not through the normal process,” Oshiomhole stated on the podcast. “That is his own problem.”
He linked this alleged favouritism directly to Akpabio’s handling of a recent Senate investigation into the NNPC, during which Oshiomhole had described the oil company as a “house of thieves” and a “family business” where leaders routinely install relatives in top positions.
Oshiomhole defended his controversial remarks as personal opinions made during committee proceedings, not official Senate positions. He accused the Senate leadership of improperly disowning the committee’s work and attempting to isolate him.
“Over 80% of Senators Supported Me”
The former Edo State governor claimed strong backing from his colleagues, asserting that more than 80 percent of senators were on his side during the clash.
He criticised Akpabio’s leadership style, noting that many senators are quietly grumbling. Oshiomhole recounted a personal confrontation where Akpabio allegedly accused him of plotting with Northern senators to unseat him as Senate President.
According to Oshiomhole, Akpabio is “so paranoid” about him that “if he had his way, he would lock me out of the Senate,” viewing him as “the devil he knows” while unaware of other potential challengers.
The latest drama stems from a Senate probe into NNPC’s finances, reportedly revealing massive discrepancies running into trillions of naira. When the committee pushed for a bench warrant against Mele Kyari for allegedly dodging invitations, the full Senate moved to distance itself from the move, triggering Oshiomhole’s strong rebuttal.
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This is not the first public flashpoint. Earlier clashes in May 2026 over proposed amendments to Senate Standing Orders — seen by some as attempts to influence 2027 leadership eligibility — already highlighted deep divisions, with Oshiomhole challenging Akpabio’s rulings on the floor.
The podcast episode has gone viral, with clips dominating social media platforms and sparking intense debate. Supporters like @LynPreferred on X hail Oshiomhole as a fearless truth-teller taking on impunity, while critics accuse him of grandstanding and internal sabotage within the APC.
As of this report, neither Senate President Godswill Akpabio nor the NNPC has issued an official response to the specific allegations about the daughter’s employment. The claims remain unverified publicly, though they have amplified calls for greater transparency in public appointments and oversight of the nation’s oil sector.
