The former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio has received endorsement from 72 former Senators for the position of the president of the 10th senate.
Since the Senators cannot vote, they are expected to use their influence and canvass support for Akpabio from serving Senators.
Akpabio is reported to be the favourite candidate of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, and Kano state governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje recently said that the former Akwa Ibom governor, would be the next senate president.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja on Monday, Basheer Lado, a former senator representing Kano central and convener of the group, said in the spirit of fairness and equity, the number three position should be zoned to the south-south geo-political zone and given to Akpabio.
Bashir Lado said Barau Jibrin, senator representing Kano north, – a contender for the senate president position – should be given the deputy senate president position.
“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.
“The position of senate president represents the third position in the hierarchy of our current democratic dispensation. 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 be conceded to distinguished senator Barau I. Jubril, CON, representing Kano north senatorial zone, Kano state.”
Lado said a diverse and united legislative leadership is critical to good governance.
Here is 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
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