Senator Godwin Akpabio, a former Governor of Akwa-Ibom State and one-time Minority Leader in the Nigerian Senate has been described as the most qualified candidate for the Senate Presidency in the 10th Assemble which is to be inaugurated on June 13, 2023.
Describing the former Minister of the Niger-Delta Affair as the man to beat for the race of the number three position in Nigerian political leadership, a former commissioner for information and orientation in Edo state, Prince Kassim Afegbua opined that since the leadership of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, had already zoned the position to the south-south and zeroed in on the ex-“uncommon” Governor of Akwa-Ibom state, everyone should rally round the Senator-elect who is eminently qualified for the position.
In a statement personally signed by the seasoned media consultant and political analyst which was sent to Truth Live News, Prince Afegbua asserted that “The party, in taking that informed decision, took into consideration several factors: religious balancing, geopolitical reasons, contributions to the success of the party in the presidential election, the character of the individual and their antecedents in building our nation.
The state reads in parts;
“We have been reading orchestrated media reports saying that some Senators-elect are withdrawing from supporting Senator Akpabio for the Senate Presidency; nothing can be farther from the truth. The APC has zoned the Senate Presidency to the South-South and picked an eminently qualified Senator, Senator Godswill Akpabio, as the consensus candidate for the position.
“The party, in taking that informed decision, took into consideration several factors: religious balancing, geopolitical reasons, contributions to the success of the party in the presidential election, the character of the individual and their antecedents in building our nation. Senator Akpabio is not just a man of quality, content, and character, additionally, he understands the intricate logic of our geopolitical sensitivities: the unity, cohesion, and stability of our federation.
“Some people may be deploying illicit funds to buy the consciences of some of the senators; my response to this is, put country first; man must not live by bread alone.
“An individual of quality should hold the leadership of the 10th National Assembly. This quality is not about money, money, money. It should be about meeting the criteria of national balance, fairness, and good intentions, seen through their antecedents.
“In a multi-party democracy, the supremacy of the party cannot be over-emphasised. If individuals who are driven by their inordinate ambitions wish to undermine the supremacy of the party, she may have to wield the big stick. The current and outgoing Senate President is a product of party supremacy; he was endorsed by the party to serve as Senate President for the current assembly.
For the 10th Assembly, the ruling party, the APC, has stated categorically that her candidates of choice are Senators Godswill Akpabio for Senate President, and Jibrin Barau for  Deputy Senate President; this position was arrived at based on sound arguments and judgments, which preponderance far outweighed any other argument.
“Therefore, every committed member in good faith and good conscience should respect this position of the party, and immediately rally together with other party members to promote her position; instead of playing havoc with the issue. Deploying illicit funds to bribe their way through is an unfortunate underhand tactic. With a Muslim-Mulsim Presidency, it is natural to expect other religions to lead this arm of government, for religious harmony, balance, and unity.
“Senator Godswill Akpabio remains the man to beat for this exalted office of Senate Presidency; he has everything going for him in this particular race. Those desperate to alter the robust and mutual agreement already in place to ensure stability of the system will be disappointed and disgraced, in the end. The South-South geopolitical zone is not just an integral part of the Nigeria Federation but also one whose peace and stability, like other zones, are required to maintain and promote the economic wellness of this country.
In conclusion, the maverick political pundit stressed that; “Any attempt to deny the zone what has been zoned to her, could be looked upon as a deliberate effort at undermining us; this would not augur well for our nation. Â Give to Caesaer what is his.
“As the treasure base of the country, the importance of the South-South zone cannot be over-emphasized. It is in our collective enlightened self-interest not to provoke the South-South by any means, worse still a dubious one, or to disturb the peace and tranquility being experienced in the zone. We are resolute and unswerving in defense of our rights and recognition as distinguished citizens of this great country.
“On Akpabio we stand, emphsised Prince Afegbua.