Group thanks Nigerians, pleads APC NWC, PGF stick to Akpabio for SP

As different intrigues continue to greet the fate of many aspirants for leadership positions in the coming 10th National Assembly, a foremost Senator Godswill Akpabio group, SGA10, has intensified its lobbying by appealing to the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress and the Progressive Governors’ Forum, not to shift their earlier well-thought-out consideration of its principal and senator representing Akwa Ibom North-West for the position of Senate President.

Speaking during a brief chat with a group of journalists in Abuja on Monday May 1st, the group’s Convener, Akinloye Oyeniyi, in the presence of the Secretary, Hainsley Pwash, also thanked all stakeholders across parties, senators-elect across all political parties and well-meaning Nigerians for their calls for consideration of the South South and support for Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio for the top job of the upper legislative chamber.

The ruling party’s National Working Committee is expected to finalise on the issues of zoning of various legislative offices during its planned Wednesday meeting.

“At this stage, we only can thank all political parties, the APC leaders and Nigerians across political, religious and regional divides, not only for their unalloyed support for Senator Godswill Akpabio this far but also for being resolute despite some oppositions expected in every political contest.

“Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio is eminently qualified both statutorily and on the ground of competence. His sterling leadership qualities and performance as a governor, a legislator and a minister shall continue to evidently speak for long time; and these are few of the deciding factors that culminated into the massive support his candidacy is enjoying today.

“So, while we appreciate the teeming supporters, we also specially plead with the National Working Committee of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress and the Progressive Governors Forum, to translate majority of their members’ consideration of our principal, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, for the office of the Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly, into official position of the party and official direction to all senators-elect on the platform of the party”; group said.

Other aspirants jostling for the number one office in the red chamber include the former governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari; Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Jibrin Barau; Sani Musa from Niger East, the incumbent Senate President, Ahmad Lawan from Yobe North, Osita Izunaso (Imo West), Orji Kalu (Abia North) and Patrick Ndubueze (Imo North).

Reports said the immediate past governor of Edo State and former National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole and the governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, are also eyeing the top job.

Though it was gathered that rhe governors are divided on the zoning, it is believed that the APC and the PGF might eventually agree to zone the Senate presidency to either the South-East or the South-South; with Akpabio as the only ranking contestant from the South-South and four others from the South-East.

Feelers from the APC indicated that quite a number of governors and lawmakers were not in support of the former Abia governor, Orji Uzor Kalu’s candidacy and Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, on the other hand, is also having trouble deciding who to support among his two allies, Izunaso and Ndubueze.