- Senate President Godswill Akpabio identified managing the state House of Assembly as his greatest challenge during his governorship tenure
- He emphasized the necessity of strong relationships with legislative leaders to prevent potential conflicts and ensure effective governance
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has revealed that his biggest challenge during his tenure as Akwa Ibom State governor was managing the state House of Assembly.
Speaking on Friday as the Special Guest of Honour at a Public Lecture and Book Launch held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to celebrate the birthday of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, Akpabio reflected on the complexities of working with the legislature.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with legislative leaders, stating, “Every wise governor or President, like President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, must find a way to hold the leadership of the legislature closely.”
Sharing his experience, Akpabio explained that he prioritized keeping his Speaker close throughout his tenure. “I never travelled without my Speaker.
If I didn’t see him for a day, I would send someone to his house to invite him for lunch to gauge his mood and ensure our relationship remained intact,” he said.
Akpabio highlighted the legislature’s influence, describing it as the only institution capable of undermining a governor. “The House of Assembly has the power to hurt a governor, and no court or democracy can stop that. Any leader must secure strong ties with the legislative arm,” he added.
He also commended President Tinubu for strategically handling the National Assembly leadership. Akpabio noted, “Recently, the President conferred on us the title of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger.
It demonstrated his ability to unify the two chambers effectively, whether out of love or necessity.”