Godswill Akpabio, a top contenders for the Senate
presidency, of the 10th National Assembly, has assured lawmakers of stability
in the upper chamber if elected.
Akpabio gave the assurance in Abuja on Tuesday, when he led
42 other senators, under the aegis of Integrity Group, to meet with Sen.
Abdullahi Adamu, the APC National Chairman, and members of the party’s National
Working Committee (NWC).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the APC had
on May 8, zoned the Senate Presidency of the 10th National Assembly to the
South South in favour of Akpabio.
The party also zoned the Deputy Senate President to North
West in favour of Barau Jibrin (APC Kano) and the Speakership of House of
Representatives to North West in favour of Abass Tajudeen (APC Kaduna) and
Deputy Speakership to South East in favour of Ben Kalu (APC Abia).
Akpabio said the visit was to show solidarity and
appreciation for the endorsement after wide consultations with stakeholders
across the country, adding that now that the elections were over, it was time
to begin governance.
“We are grateful that the party’s leadership gave this
opportunity to Sen. Godswill Akpabio, the uncommon senator and his brother,
Sen. Barau Jibrin, we will definitely bring growth to this country,” he said.
He noted that it was fair to zone the senate presidency to
the South South, as the region last produced a Senate President in 1979, about
44 years ago.
Akpabio added that since Sen. Bola Tinubu, the
President-elect was from the South and the Vice President-elect, Sen. Kashim
Shettima was from the North, it was only right that the Senate President came
from the South.
He assured that the 10th Senate would be totally different
from others, adding that the integrity group would visit chairmen of other
political parties that made up the in-coming Senate for their input and advice.
Akpabio, while noting that the integrity team was poised to
bring change, said the APC leadership should appeal to other party members to
support its zoning decision.
“When I was young, I was told about the three Gs one should
fear. One is God, then the Gun and the Government.
“Both the Bible and
the Quran charges us to respect leadership because that is the only way to
progress. We urge you to talk to them because that is the only way to progress.
“We have interacted with the governors of Lagos, Katsina and
even Rivers, to tell them about our plans and policies.
“We intend to bring stability, as well as to make you proud
by putting an end to poverty, insecurity and unemployment, through legislations
of supervision and strict oversight,” he said.
Adamu in his response, said the party was still consulting
on issues concerning the leadership of the in-coming assembly to carry everyone
along.
He said the consultations had been fruitful, adding that the
final decision however, would be on the floor of Senate.
“Whatever we do, whatsoever signature we collect, the final
decision will be on the floor of the Senate and also the house,” the APC
Chairman said.
On the ongoing agitations, especially from those opposed to
the party’s zoning decision, Adamu said that people were bound to hold other
opinions, adding that the party had no right to stop them.
“All these efforts and agitations are very healthy and
important. I am happy that we are heeding the advice and directives we gave to
make consultations, and it is good that it is going on and I am happy that it
has been very fruitful.
“We will wait till June 3, on the floor of the house. I want
us to have a rancour-free election on the floor, because even if everybody says
it is Akpabio, the rules of the game say there must be election.
“Those who are in the Senate are aware of the rules. I do
hope and pray that we will carry the day and be victorious,” he said.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com