As the competition for the 10th Senate presidency becomes “tougher,” Godswill Akpabio, a former minister of Niger Delta affairs, has received the support of 72 non-serving senators.
Akpabio was previously predicted to succeed Abdullahi Ganduje as the next president of the Senate.
On behalf of the group, former Kano Central senator Basheer Lado spoke at a press conference in Abuja on Monday in favour of assigning the position of 10th Senate president to Nigeria’s south-south geopolitical region.
“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.
“We also affirm our unfettered support for the position of the president of the 10th Senate who also doubles as the chairman of the national assembly to be conferred on His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON.
He added that the position of senate president represents the third position in the hierarchy of our current democratic dispensational and that this position “carries considerable weight in discharging vital constitutional responsibilities and charting the right course for our national development.”
“It is also important that the holder of such a position enjoys the confidence and support of the party leadership and that of his peers as Senator Godswill Akpabio undoubtedly does.
“With this same spirit of fairness, we also affirm our solid support that the position of deputy president of the 10th senate is conceded to distinguished senator Barau I. Jubril, CON, representing Kano north senatorial zone, Kano state.”
Akpabio has not formally announced his intention to run for the presidency despite all the support he has received from some APC members.
See the list of the senators;
Ben Ayade
George Akume
Basheer Lado
Rilwan Akanbi
Barnabas Gemade
Grace Bent
Binta Masi Garba
Ayogu Eze
Andy Uba
Ibrahim Ida
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
Oladipo Odujinrin
Mohammed Alkali
Sunday Ogbuoji
Abu Ibrahim
Bello Maitama
Saddiq Yar’adua
Jide Omoworare
Anthony Manzo
Aminu Inuwa
Magnus Abeh
