Senator Godswill Akpabio, a contender for Senate President in the ruling All Progressives Congress' 10th National Assembly, has asked for prayers, claiming that he is the target of an ongoing battle.
This was said by Akpabio on Tuesday night in Abuja during a speech to the APC Non-Serving Senators Group.
Additionally, he pledged to work with the incoming president, Bola Tinubu, to wipe off the nation's debts.
Akpabio also expressed his gratitude to the former legislators for their support and pledged to uphold their faith in him if elected Senate President.
“I am excited that God is keeping all of you alive. This is a family and I am very proud to belong to this family.
“I want to also appeal that you not only endorse us but support us with your prayers because what I am seeing out there is that it is a war. But I see it as a storm in a teacup.â€
“For me, the priorities are very clear: an all-inclusive Senate that will work for Nigeria and that we will all be proud of." He said
We must support the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to pay our debts,†he continued
Professor Ben Ayade, the governor of Cross Rivers state, stated that he attended the meeting to formally reaffirm the South-South's backing for Akpabio and Senator Barau Jibrin, the APC candidate for vice president of the senate.
"Nigeria is the leader of Africa, and the world is watching," the governor of Cross River state continued. It might be considered that what happens in the Senate is a reflection of African politics. No one in our community can afford to see a horrific dance. A smooth transition is required.
"Nigeria is the leader of Africa and the world is watching. What is going to happen in the Senate would be taken as a reflection of African politics. Our people can’t afford to watch a macabre dance. We must have a seamless transition.
“The independence of the legislature is guaranteed in the constitution but it is derived from the executive.
“Leadership takes time to mature, let us support the nominee of Mr. President. I always support somebody with capacity and I know that Akpabio has the capacity. Let us move away from the emotional calculation on what my zone is going to have."
Senator Barnabas Gemade urged support for Akpabio and Jibrin in his participation.
He pointed out that any zone left out would be covered by the time the APC completes its zoning of presiding offices in the House of Representatives because the North Central has Senator Abdullahi Adamu as National Chairman of the APC, the South West has Tinubu as President-elect, the North East has Senator Kashim Shettima as Vice President-elect, and the positions of Senate President and Deputy Senate President have been zoned to the South-South and Northwest, respectively.
Senator George Akume, the minister of special duties, urged the APC to come together and assist Akpabio and Jibrin in order to ensure that President-elect Tinubu's new administrations begin operating smoothly.
The meeting's high point came when Akpabio made sure Gemade and Akume clasped hands and hugged as a sign of ending any strife between them.
The group's chairman, senator Basheer Lado, stated in his welcome speech that the APC Non-Serving Senators Group now has 76 members who are dedicated to the cause of guaranteeing the election of Akpabio and Jibrin as presiding officers.
Lado said, “As we are all aware, the APC NWC has endorsed the candidature and aspiration of Senator Godswill Akpabio as Senate President and Senator Barau Jibril as Deputy Senate President.
“As politicians and beneficiaries of Nigeria’s Democracy, we believe that the continued consolidation of Nigeria’s political maturity can only be sustained through Peace, Stability, Unity and Progress of the constituents that make up the entire country.
“Our support for the candidature of Senator Godswill Akpabio from the South as Senate President and Senator Barau Jibrin from the North as Deputy Senate President indeed is to strike the needed political balance, ethnicity and religious diversity of Nigeria as one indivisible nation.
“As critical stakeholders, we assure the leadership of the APC, The President-Elect, The Vice President Elect, Senator Godswill Akpabio and Senator Barau Jibril of our unflinching commitment and support towards the actualisation of this objective."
"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.â€