10th National Assembly Senator-elects across political parties on Tuesday stormed the National Secretariat of the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) to show solidarity and appreciation for the endorsement of former Akwa-Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio and Senator Barau Jibrin
Recall that the National Working Committee of the ruling APC had
settled for Akpabio (South-south) and Jubrin (North-west) for the senate president and deputy senate president respectively.
But the zoning formula proposed by the NWC generated protests by aggrieved members of the party for endorsing the duos
Akpabio, while delivering his remark during the visit said they are at the party’s headquarters to show solidarity and appreciation for the endorsement after wide consultation with stakeholders in Nigeria.
Akpabio Recall that the South-South part of the country last had a senate president in 1979 about 44 years ago when Joe Wayas from NPN became the number 3rd citizen of the country
He said: Our brothers from the South East with very capable people have held the position since 1999 for about eight years and also producing the deputy senate president for twelve years till the current dispensation. The north central produced David Mark for 12 years, and Bukola Saraki and Ahmad Lawan.
“Since the president is from the South and the vice from the north, it is right that the senate president is coming from the South. Of course, the South West is out left with the South-South hoping that there brothers from the East will support them.
” The wise men from the national working committee graciously zoned it to the South South. And a party man who served six years in the executive, eight years as governor, served as the minority leader of the Senate and minister to lead the tenth senate.
” I want to thank you on behalf of the senate who are here and to say that the tenth senate is totally different from all other senate.”
Speaking earlier, Senator Ali Ndume, Borno South, Said the group of seven members of senators elect of the coming 10th senate are seventy who have supported zoning the senate presidency to the South South.
He said: “Yesterday it was sixty-nine when we went to Lagos but this morning coincidentally a senator from your State appended his signature and we are seventy.
“We are called stability group, it came from you and the president elect that this country needs stability. And this will come from fairness, equity,
Also speaking, Senator Barau Jibrin the deputy Senate Presidential hopeful thanked the party for the endorsement given us to them.
He assured the leadership of the party that they will abide by the manifestoes and programs of the party.
“We want to assure you that we shall continue to be loyal and stand for everything this party stands for knowing that it is for the good of Nigerians.
“We shall by every means draw the attention of our colleagues who are yet to identify with this endorsement”.
The national chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu on his part, said the announcement also clearly mentioned that the party need further and better consultation.
“From what you just said there is ample evidence that their have been consultation and we will not relent to ensure that if it were possible for all senators elect agree. Whatever we do, whatsoever signature we collect, the final decision will be on the floor of the Senate and also the house,” he said.
Senators in attendance were:
Senator Godswill Akpabio, Jubrin Barau, Ali Ndume, Gbenga Daniel, Ibrahim Gaidam, Solomon Olamilekan, Opeyemi Bamidele, Mohammed Tahir Moguno, Idiate Adebule, Tokunbo Abiru, Ipalebo Harry, Aziz Musa, Titus Zam, Darlington Nwokocha, Neda Imazuen, Asuquo Ekpeyong, Shuab Salusi, Yemi Adaramodu, Sadiku Oheire, Oyenkachi Nwanba, Sarafadeen Ali, Yuniz Akintunde, Mutari Muhammad, Jim Kuta, Kenneth Eze, Ethan Williams, Emmanuel Demdi, Dekat Plang, Bola Ashiru, Jide Ipinsagba, Wasiu Esinlokun, Howell Eyinsu, Karimi Sunday, Cyril Fasuyi, Isa Jubrin, Salihu Mustapha, Nasiru Sani, Kaka Shehu Lawan, Ndubusi Patrick, Ibrahim Mohammed, Rufai Hangar