President Tinubu has nominated Usoro Akpabio as Managing Director of the newly formed South-South Development Commission (SSDC). Her confirmation by the National Assembly is pending, amid questions over her ties to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
- SSDC was created to tackle South-South’s development setbacks following the failures of the NDDC.
- Usoro Akpabio, 44, hails from Uruan, Akwa Ibom, and has experience in grassroots mobilization and public policy.
- Her nomination has drawn scrutiny over political affiliations and her mother’s past opposition to the APC in 2023.
While many in the region welcome a fresh face leading the SSDC, some APC members in Akwa Ibom criticize the appointment, questioning the political loyalty of Usoro’s family. Her mother, Magdalene Akpabio, was a prominent PDP women's leader during the last election cycle.
As the SSDC prepares to address years of underdevelopment, will Akpabio’s leadership bridge political divides and deliver meaningful impact to the region?
