Senator Godswill Akpabio, a candidate for the 10th Senate Presidency, expressed confidence in his ability to win the necessary number of votes from senators-elect of all parties in order to secure the position.
When he accompanied Senators-elect from different political parties to pay Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State a courtesy call at the State House Marina to ask for the Lagos State Government’s support for his election as the next Senate President, the former governor of Akwa Ibom made this statement.
This occurs as the All Progressives Congress, the current government, faces pressure from both parties to review its zoning blueprint.
Recall that the Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima, a South-South governor and some power brokers had moved in to ensure that the party’s choices prevail.
The APC National Working Committee, NWC, had, last week unveiled Akpabio (South-South) as Senate president; Jibrin Barau (North-West) as Deputy Senate president; Tajudeen Abass (North-West) as speaker; and Benjamin Kalu (South-East) as Deputy Speaker of the 10th National Assembly.
Akpabio, however, promised that the Senators-elect would collaborate with others and Governor Sanwo-Olu to ensure Lagos succeeds.
He said, “This is a stability group of the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We have the numbers; we have men and women of virtue across party affiliations on our side. We have come today to show ourselves to the Lagos State Governor and solicit his support to endorse Senator Akpabio and Senator Jibrin, as Senate President and deputy Senator President respectively.
“We are determined to express support for the incoming administration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. We believe that his project, is a nationalistic project which will bring more goodies to Nigeria.”
In his response, Sanwo-Olu commended the Senators-elect for displaying a high sense of responsibility and threw his weight behind them.