A coalition of all socio-political and ethnic Nationalities in the Northern region of Nigeria, Middle Belt Ethnic Nationalities Political Coalition has called on the national leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) and the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider South South geopolitical zone for president of the tenth Senate of the federal republic of Nigeria.
The group also narrowed its push down to the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio for the position of number three man in the country, stating that he has the regional acceptance and the national appeal to lead the tenth National Assembly in order to guarantee prosperity of the incoming administration.
In a world press conference on Wednesday which had all ethnic groups in the middle belt of Nigeria represented, the national coordinator of Middle Belt Ethnic Nationalities Political Coalition, Engr. Shuaibu Ibrahim said the incoming President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu needs a trusted hand and a loyal party man, an experienced lawmaker and one with executive capacity to deliver in his mandate, noting that the National Assembly under the leadership of Distinguished Sen Godswill Akpabio will bring about a harmonious executive-legislature relationship in the overall interest of all Nigerians, guarantee undeniable regional inclusivity and stability of the South South region where the national has a great National stake for income generation.
Engr. Dauda stressed that Sen. Godswill Akpabio wields the experience as a former governor, a former Senate Minority Leader and a former Minister, adding that the presidency of National Assembly is strategic and should not be handed to person with less competence Godswill Akpabio parades.
He said, “We have listened with keen interest the argument on the zoning of the leadership of tenth National Assembly. While we are not here to discredit anyone’s interest or stand, we are unequivocally rooting for the zoning of presidency of the tenth Senate to South South region for a number of fundamentally important reasons, chief among are regional inclusivity, experience, capacity and National appeal Sen Godswill Akpabio have gathered over the decades.
“Apart from being the soul of our nation’s treasury, the people of South South have largely aligned to the government at the centre as clearly seen in the outcome of the just concluded elections.
“Interestingly, the region has also given us one of its illustrious sons, a dexterous leader who boasts of long years of meritorious service in executive and legislative arms of government to support as the next President of the Senate of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“A man of unquestionable integrity and administrative acumen who held swear as the executive governor of Akwa Ibom State, during his reign he was popularly known and called uncommon Governor due to unprecedented development he brought to Akwa Ibom state, as Senate Minority Leader, he demonstrated unusual Leadership that held the party together despite being in opposition at that time and as a Minister of Niger Delta Affairs records are there to confirm his indelible footprints in the ministry.
“His Excellency, Chief Godswill Akpabio stands tall among those jostling to lead the tenth Senate. His emergence as President of the Senate will bring stability in Niger Delta region and guarantee a safer corridor for oil production, which is the mainstay of our economy.
“The quantum of votes mobilised by the South Sout geopolitical zone in the last election is a clear indication that if supported to lead the Senate, the region will entirely submit to the fold of APC, which will be a win-win situation of the party”, he stated.
The group also noted that the emergence of Akpabio as Senate President will blur the line of discrimination against the ethnic minorities in Nigeria who believe they have not adequately been carried along.
While urging the NWC of APC and the president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider Akpabio in their choice of head of the legislative arm, the group insists that APC and the country will be better for such noble and strategic decision.