Senate · Bayelsa Central · 2027
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)Richard Akinaka
The person behind the name. Explore their journey, the public record, and the plans for Bayelsa Central.
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Before the ballot,
a life in the making.
The places, education and experiences behind this candidate.
Richard Erepamo Akinaka (INEC: Akinaka Erepamo Richard) is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Bayelsa Central Senatorial District in the Senate election of 16 January 2027 (INEC final list, 12 September 2026). INEC lists him as a 43-year-old man whose declared qualifications are the First School Leaving Certificate and the Senior School Certificate (SSCE). He is a businessman in the marine and oil-and-gas services sector: news reports describe a Richard Akinaka, a Bayelsa native, as founder and chief executive of Abitto Global Services Limited, an oil and gas service provider whose gunboats for Rivers State were commissioned in March 2022, and in June 2024 as managing director of Abitto Ferry Services. On 8 April 2026 he re-joined the PDP at the party's membership revalidation exercise in Yenagoa, receiving his card from state chairman George Turnah; reports called him a returnee without saying when he had left. He declared for the Bayelsa Central seat at a party gathering on 5 May 2026, submitted his expression-of-interest and nomination forms at the PDP secretariat in Yenagoa on 9 May, and passed party screening (reported 14 May). As the sole aspirant he was declared the PDP candidate by returning officer Bidi Weris at the Bayelsa Central collation centre in Yenagoa on 20 May 2026 (one report says 21 May). In June 2026 he campaigned on a constituency trust fund and support for fishing communities and was endorsed by PANDEF chairman Godknows Igali.
From the public profile
Read the evidence · 8 sources
- Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
2026-09-12, p.22 SN 26: "26 BAYELSA BAYELSA CENTRAL AKINAKA EREPAMO RICHARD PDP None 43 M FIRST SCHOOL LEAVING CERTIFICATE SSCE CERTIFICATE"
26 BAYELSA BAYELSA CENTRAL AKINAKA EREPAMO RICHARD PDP None 43 M FIRST SCHOOL LEAVING CERTIFICATE SSCE CERTIFICATE
- Vanguard
2026-05-09: "Speaking while submitting his Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms at the PDP headquarters in Yenagoa on Saturday, Akinaka said his decision to contest the elections followed an earlier declaration of interest made at a party gathering on Tuesday"
Speaking while submitting his Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms at the PDP headquarters in Yenagoa on Saturday, Akinaka said his decision to contest the elections followed an earlier declaration of interest made at a party gathering on Tuesday
- Vanguard (read via r.jina.ai)
2022-03-11: "The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Abitto Global Services, Mr Richard Akinaka, who was present at the commissioning of the magnificent gunboats thanked the Governor of Rivers state for the opportunity."
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Abitto Global Services, Mr Richard Akinaka, who was present at the commissioning of the magnificent gunboats thanked the Governor of Rivers state for the opportunity.
- The Sun (read via r.jina.ai)
2026-05-21: "Mr. Akinaka was announced on Wednesday as the sole candidate at the Senatorial District Headquarters venue, St. Peters’ Primary School, Yenagoa main Town."
Mr. Akinaka was announced on Wednesday as the sole candidate at the Senatorial District Headquarters venue, St. Peters’ Primary School, Yenagoa main Town.
- Vanguard
2026-05-21: "Mr. Akinaka emerged unchallenged as the sole aspirant and was declared as the party’s senatorial candidate by the PDP Vice Chairman for the Senatorial District and Returning Officer, Mr. Bidi Weris at St. Peter’s Primary School, Yenagoa Main Town"
Mr. Akinaka emerged unchallenged as the sole aspirant and was declared as the party’s senatorial candidate by the PDP Vice Chairman for the Senatorial District and Returning Officer, Mr. Bidi Weris at St. Peter’s Primary School, Yenagoa Main Town
- ThisDay
2026-06-09: "The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, Richard Akinaka, at weekend embarked on strategic discussions with key stakeholders and elders in the district."
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, Richard Akinaka, at weekend embarked on strategic discussions with key stakeholders and elders in the district.
- The Guardian Nigeria (read via r.jina.ai)
2023-12-22: "According to Akinaka, who is the founder of Abitto Global Services limited, an oil and gas service provider, the re-opening of the refinery will have major and significant impact on Nigeria’s oil production and economy."
According to Akinaka, who is the founder of Abitto Global Services limited, an oil and gas service provider, the re-opening of the refinery will have major and significant impact on Nigeria’s oil production and economy.
- The Punch
2026-04-09: "Akinaka made the remarks on Wednesday during his visit to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) membership revalidation exercise in Yenagoa, where he formally received PDP membership card and re-joined the Bayelsa State chapter of the party under the leadership of Mr. George Turner."
Akinaka made the remarks on Wednesday during his visit to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) membership revalidation exercise in Yenagoa, where he formally received PDP membership card and re-joined the Bayelsa State chapter of the party under the leadership of Mr. George Turner.
School years & education
Declared to INEC (2027 final list): First School Leaving Certificate and Senior School Certificate (SSCE); institutions and years not published.
Read the evidence · 1 source
- Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
2026-09-12, p.22 SN 26: "26 BAYELSA BAYELSA CENTRAL AKINAKA EREPAMO RICHARD PDP None 43 M FIRST SCHOOL LEAVING CERTIFICATE SSCE CERTIFICATE"
26 BAYELSA BAYELSA CENTRAL AKINAKA EREPAMO RICHARD PDP None 43 M FIRST SCHOOL LEAVING CERTIFICATE SSCE CERTIFICATE
A working life
Dates not recorded
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Abitto Global Services Limited
Founder and managing director/CEO of Abitto Global Services Limited, described as an oil and gas service provider; its gunboats for Rivers State were commissioned by Governor Nyesom Wike in March 2022. In June 2024 he was reported as managing director of Abitto Ferry Services, which was launching a ferry service between Akwa Ibom and Cross River. Founding year not found. Identity: matched to the candidate through The Guardian's own candidacy coverage (which links his name to its Abitto report) and PANDEF chairman Godknows Igali's June 2026 description of him as a businessman in the marine, oil and gas sector.
Read the evidence · 4 sources
- The Guardian Nigeria (read via r.jina.ai)
2023-12-22: "According to Akinaka, who is the founder of Abitto Global Services limited, an oil and gas service provider, the re-opening of the refinery will have major and significant impact on Nigeria’s oil production and economy."
According to Akinaka, who is the founder of Abitto Global Services limited, an oil and gas service provider, the re-opening of the refinery will have major and significant impact on Nigeria’s oil production and economy.
- The Sun (read via r.jina.ai)
2026-06-08: "In a heartfelt endorsement, Ambassador Igali praised Akinaka’s boldness and track record as an astute businessman operating successfully in the marine, oil, and gas sector."
In a heartfelt endorsement, Ambassador Igali praised Akinaka’s boldness and track record as an astute businessman operating successfully in the marine, oil, and gas sector.
- Vanguard (read via r.jina.ai)
2022-03-11: "The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Abitto Global Services, Mr Richard Akinaka, who was present at the commissioning of the magnificent gunboats thanked the Governor of Rivers state for the opportunity."
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Abitto Global Services, Mr Richard Akinaka, who was present at the commissioning of the magnificent gunboats thanked the Governor of Rivers state for the opportunity.
- Daily Trust
2024-06-03: "Richard Akinaka, Managing Director of Abitto Ferry Services and a Bayelsa State native, stated that the service will strengthen the mutual and sisterly relationship between Akwa Ibom and Cross River State."
Richard Akinaka, Managing Director of Abitto Ferry Services and a Bayelsa State native, stated that the service will strengthen the mutual and sisterly relationship between Akwa Ibom and Cross River State.
- The Guardian Nigeria (read via r.jina.ai)
The path into public service
A timeline of offices held has not yet been added.
Life outside
the office.
Work, writing and public family connections. The experiences and relationships beyond a political career.
About Richard AkinakaBack to biography
Work & organisations
Dates not recorded
Abitto Global Services Limited
Founder and Chief Executive Officer · founder · Marine, oil and gas services
Founder and managing director/CEO of Abitto Global Services Limited, described as an oil and gas service provider; its gunboats for Rivers State were commissioned by Governor Nyesom Wike in March 2022. In June 2024 he was reported as managing director of Abitto Ferry Services, which was launching a ferry service between Akwa Ibom and Cross River. Founding year not found. Identity: matched to the candidate through The Guardian's own candidacy coverage (which links his name to its Abitto report) and PANDEF chairman Godknows Igali's June 2026 description of him as a businessman in the marine, oil and gas sector.
Read the evidence · 4 sources
- The Guardian Nigeria (read via r.jina.ai)
2023-12-22: "According to Akinaka, who is the founder of Abitto Global Services limited, an oil and gas service provider, the re-opening of the refinery will have major and significant impact on Nigeria’s oil production and economy."
According to Akinaka, who is the founder of Abitto Global Services limited, an oil and gas service provider, the re-opening of the refinery will have major and significant impact on Nigeria’s oil production and economy.
- The Sun (read via r.jina.ai)
2026-06-08: "In a heartfelt endorsement, Ambassador Igali praised Akinaka’s boldness and track record as an astute businessman operating successfully in the marine, oil, and gas sector."
In a heartfelt endorsement, Ambassador Igali praised Akinaka’s boldness and track record as an astute businessman operating successfully in the marine, oil, and gas sector.
- Vanguard (read via r.jina.ai)
2022-03-11: "The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Abitto Global Services, Mr Richard Akinaka, who was present at the commissioning of the magnificent gunboats thanked the Governor of Rivers state for the opportunity."
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Abitto Global Services, Mr Richard Akinaka, who was present at the commissioning of the magnificent gunboats thanked the Governor of Rivers state for the opportunity.
- Daily Trust
2024-06-03: "Richard Akinaka, Managing Director of Abitto Ferry Services and a Bayelsa State native, stated that the service will strengthen the mutual and sisterly relationship between Akwa Ibom and Cross River State."
Richard Akinaka, Managing Director of Abitto Ferry Services and a Bayelsa State native, stated that the service will strengthen the mutual and sisterly relationship between Akwa Ibom and Cross River State.
- The Guardian Nigeria (read via r.jina.ai)
Family in public life
Documented relationships with people in public life. A family connection alone does not establish a business interest or wrongdoing.
No sourced public-family connections have been published here yet.
The record,
in public.
Elections contested, legislation and recognition. Read the entries, follow their sources, and form your own view.
Showing Richard AkinakaRead biography
At the ballot
2027 · Senatorial primary
Peoples Democratic Party · Won · Bayelsa · Bayelsa Central
Record notes
constituency: Bayelsa Central Senatorial District · also listed as: Akinaka Erepamo Richard · INEC final list of candidates (Senate), published 2026-09-12 — SN 26, p.22; INEC name: AKINAKA EREPAMO RICHARD; age 43; male; qualification (as declared to INEC): FIRST SCHOOL LEAVING CERTIFICATE SSCE CERTIFICATE · Primary: sole PDP aspirant after passing party screening (reported 14 May 2026); declared candidate by returning officer Bidi Weris (PDP vice chairman, Bayelsa Central) at the collation centre, St. Peter's Primary School, Yenagoa, after ward primaries - on Wednesday 20 May 2026 (The Sun; Vanguard's report was online before dawn on 21 May; Punch's 'Thursday' is its publication day); no vote count published
Read the evidence · 5 sources
- inecnigeria.org
Richard Akinaka — senatorial 2027
- The Guardian Nigeria (read via r.jina.ai)
2026-05-14: "has successfully passed the screening process conducted by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the party’s senatorial primaries."
has successfully passed the screening process conducted by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the party’s senatorial primaries.
- The Punch
2026-05-21: "Akinaka, an entrepreneur, was announced on Thursday as the sole candidate at the senatorial district headquarters collation centre at St. Peter’s Primary School, Yenagoa, which served as the venue for the primary election results."
Akinaka, an entrepreneur, was announced on Thursday as the sole candidate at the senatorial district headquarters collation centre at St. Peter’s Primary School, Yenagoa, which served as the venue for the primary election results.
- Vanguard
2026-05-21: "Mr. Akinaka emerged unchallenged as the sole aspirant and was declared as the party’s senatorial candidate by the PDP Vice Chairman for the Senatorial District and Returning Officer, Mr. Bidi Weris at St. Peter’s Primary School, Yenagoa Main Town"
Mr. Akinaka emerged unchallenged as the sole aspirant and was declared as the party’s senatorial candidate by the PDP Vice Chairman for the Senatorial District and Returning Officer, Mr. Bidi Weris at St. Peter’s Primary School, Yenagoa Main Town
- The Sun (read via r.jina.ai)
2026-05-21: "Mr. Akinaka was announced on Wednesday as the sole candidate at the Senatorial District Headquarters venue, St. Peters’ Primary School, Yenagoa main Town."
Mr. Akinaka was announced on Wednesday as the sole candidate at the Senatorial District Headquarters venue, St. Peters’ Primary School, Yenagoa main Town.
- inecnigeria.org
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Campaign record last checked 14 October 2026
Sources for Richard Akinaka
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