By NewsBits
Former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Godswill Akpabio, who is gunning for the senate’s top job, has asked a group of former senators to pray for him for the contest for the position, from what he has seen, seems like war.
Recall that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had nominated Akpabio and Mr. Jibrin Barau for the positions of senate president and deputy for the 10th national assembly, a development that has caused strong resentment within the party. Addressing a group of over 76 former senators in Abuja yesterday, Akpabio appealed to them not only to endorse but also pray for them.
“I want to appeal that you do not only support us with your endorsement but also support us with your prayers because what we are seeing out there is as if it is a war but I also describe it as a storm in a teacup because the senate has its own principle throughout the world,” he said.
The Akwa Ibom Northwest senator-elect, who, being a first-time lawmaker in 2015 became senate minority leader, also took exception to first-term senators seeking to be presiding officers. He contended that a senator-elect would have to be sworn in first before aspiring to be a presiding officer.
“When I see people who are coming into the national assembly and particularly the senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, senators-elect for the first time, who will swear them in? What you (former senators) have done is to give direction as elders.
“That having been in that hallowed chamber, it is important to give direction. That there will be a senate president first who will swear in the senators-elect before the senators-elect begin to aspire to be senate president,” he added.
Earlier in his remarks, the convener of the group and former senator representing Kano central, Mr. Basheer Lado, said the other candidates seeking to be senate president should shelve their ambition in the interest of stability of the country.
“We therefore respectfully, once again appeal to other aspirants to step down their ambition in the interest of national unity, peace, national stability of Nigeria and party cohesion. We believe strongly, Senator Akpabio and Senator Barau Jibril at the helm of affairs in the 10th assembly will further compliment the administration of distinguished senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shettima in delivering good governance and democratic dividends, to all Nigerians,” he said.
Meanwhile the national chairman of the party, Mr. Abdullahi Adamu has warned senators-elect on the platform of the APC against attending the inauguration late to forestall a repeat of the 2015 incident wherein the former governor of Kwara State, Dr Bukola Saraki became the senate president against the plan of the APC, after he formed an alliance with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators.
Speaking at a meeting with APC senators-elect in Abuja yesterday, Adamu said he wanted the senate to have a rancour-free election when it is inaugurated in June. “I’m happy that we are heeding the advice and directives we gave to make consultations and it is good that is going on and I’m happy that it is been very fruitful.
“We wait till the third of June 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 or Y or X, the rules of the game say there must be an election.
“Those who are in the senate are aware of the rules. On the day of the proclamation, the president and the clerk make the proclamation. So, I do hope and pray that we will carry the day and be victorious. But let me warn you, don’t be late. I hope I am communicating. Don’t be late. Once bitten twice shy,” he said.
In his remarks, Akpabio, asked the chairman to ensure every member aligns with the party’s nominees for national assembly leadership. “I want to appeal through you that you talk to some members of APC who have still not supported the party’s decision.
“When I was young, I was told about three Gs to fear. One is God, then the gun and the government. Both the Bible and the Quran asked us to respect leadership because that is the only way to progress. We urge you to talk to them because that’s the only way to progress.
“We have interacted with the governor of Lagos, Kastina and even Rivers State governor to tell them about our plans and policies,” he said.
