In a major political move, 72 non-serving
senators have endorsed former
Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio
for the President of the 10th Senate in Nigeria. This follows the earlier projection
of Akpabio by the Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, as the next senate
president.
The endorsement was made public by a former
senator representing Kano Central, Basheer Lado, during a press conference in
Abuja on behalf of the group. Lado expressed support for the zoning of the
position of the president of the 10th senate to the south-south geo-political
zone of Nigeria.
“We, in the spirit of equity, fairness,
political expediency and following extensive consultations with stakeholders,
hereby express our total support for the zoning of the position of the
president of the 10th senate, to the south-south geo-political zone of
Nigeria,” he said.
Lado went on to affirm their unfettered
support for the position of the president of the 10th Senate to be conferred on
Godswill Akpabio, CON. He added that the position of senate president
represents the third position in the hierarchy of the current democratic
dispensation and carries considerable weight in discharging vital
constitutional responsibilities and charting the right course for national
development.
The former senator also stressed the
importance of the holder of such a position enjoying the confidence and support
of the party leadership and that of his peers, which he believes Akpabio undoubtedly
does. Lado also announced that the position of deputy president of the 10th
senate should be conceded to distinguished senator Barau I. Jubril, CON,
representing Kano north senatorial zone, Kano state.
It is important to note that Akpabio has yet
to formally declare his intention to run for the Senate presidency seat, even
with the support he has received from some persons in the All Progressives
Congress, APC.
The list of the senators who endorsed
Akpabio’s candidacy is quite extensive and includes prominent politicians such
as Ben Ayade, George Akume, Barnabas Gemade, Grace Bent, Binta Masi Garba,
Ayogu Eze, and Ibrahim Ida. Other senators on the list are Olorunnimbe Mamora,
Anthony Adeniyi, Ganiyu Solomon, Gbenga Obadara, Gbenga Kaka, Musiliu
Obanikoro, Arise Ayo, Felix Kolawole Bajomo, Hassain Mudashiru, Domingo Obende,
Wilson Ake, Ita Enang, Heineken Lokpobiri, Clever Ikisikpo, Ita Giwa, Ibrahim
Musa, Alex Kadiri, Ocheja Emma Dangana, Jibriu Wowo, Isa Maina, Mohammed
Ohiare, Abubakar Sodangi, Joseph Akaagerger, Jack Tilley Gyado, Abubakar
Tutare, Bello Tukur, Ahmed Barata, Abba Aji, Mohammed A. Mohammed, Umar Idris,
Adamu Talba, Sidi Ali, Timothy Adudu, Ishaq Adebayo Salman, Akin Odunsi, Seye
Ogunlewe, Fatima Raji Rasaki, Lanre Tejuoso, Nkechi Nwaogu, Margery Chuba
Okadigbo, Mohammed Saleh, Sani Kanba, Abubakar Abdullahi Naamo, Danladi
Sankara, Mohammed Ibrahim, Sola Adeyeye, Anthony Agbo, Ikechukwu Obior, Chris
Adighije, Emma Anosike, Jalo Zarami, Alkali Jajere
