New revelations have shed light on the sequence of events
surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s
endorsement of Senator Godswill Akpabio for
the senate presidency, adding intriguing details to the unfolding political
drama. Sources close to the matter, speaking confidentially to Punch, provided
an inside account of the agreement, which was apparently finalized just a day
prior to the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary.
According to insiders, the crucial meeting between Tinubu and
Akpabio took place in Abuja from June 6 to 8, 2022, as the primary loomed. In
this private encounter, Tinubu reportedly urged Akpabio to step down from the
race and throw his support behind him. The motive behind this request, as
explained by one source, was that if Akpabio agreed, it would send a positive
message to the audience and other aspirants, with Akpabio becoming the first
candidate invited to the podium to address the crowd.
Akpabio, understandably concerned about his own political
prospects, expressed reservations about Tinubu’s proposal. In response, Tinubu
reassured him that he would receive substantial backing in his bid to become
the President of the Senate, a powerful position that Akpabio had set his
sights on. To seal the deal, an influential woman, whose identity remains
undisclosed, entered the meeting. Her presence appears to have played a pivotal
role in solidifying the agreement between the two politicians.
Meanwhile, the outgoing Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, had
also sought Akpabio’s support in the primary. However, Akpabio turned down
Lawan’s request, citing his commitment to Tinubu. This rejection seemingly
strained the relationship between Akpabio and Lawan, leading to simmering
tensions and subsequent allegations of misconduct against Akpabio during his
tenure as Minister of Niger Delta.
Adding fuel to the fire, Akpabio had made controversial
revelations in July 2020, disclosing that some contracts from the Niger Delta
Development Commission had been awarded to federal legislators. Remarkably, it
is said that Akpabio had been explicitly instructed by the probe panel chairman
not to divulge this information, making his disclosure all the more
contentious.
As these intricate political maneuvers continue to unfold,
the intricate web of relationships and power dynamics among key players in
Nigerian politics grows increasingly tangled. The behind-the-scenes
negotiations and shifting alliances shape the landscape of the upcoming
presidential primary, hinting at deeper implications for the country’s
political landscape and the aspirations of those involved.
