By Jerry Olomolaye.
Sen. Godswill Akpabio, one of the aspirants to the Senate presidency of the in-coming 10th National Assembly, has assured stability in the Senate if elected.
Akpabio, gave the assurance in Abuja, when he led 42 other Senators under the aegis of Integrity Group to meet with Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, the APC National Chairman and members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
APC had on May 8, zoned the Senate Presidency of the 10th National Assembly to the South South in favour of Akpabio (Akwa Ibom).
The party also zoned the Deputy Senate President to North West in favour of Barau Jubrin (Kano) and the Speakership of House of Representatives to North West in favour of Abass Tajudeen (Kaduna) and Deputy Speakership to South East in favour of Ben Kalu (Abia).
Akpabio said the visit was to show solidarity and appreciation for the endorsement after wide consultation with stakeholders across the country, adding that now that the elections were over, it was time to begin governance.
“We are grateful that the party’s leadership gave this opportunity to Sen. Godswill Akpabio, the uncommon Senator and his brother, Sen. Barau Jubrin, we will definitely bring growth to this country,” he said.
He noted that the South South last produced a Senate President in 1979 about 44 years ago, adding that the South East and the North Central had also occupied the position with David Mark for 12 years, Bukola Saraki and Ibrahim Mantu.
Akpabio added that since Sen. Bola Tinubu, the President-elect was from the South and the Vice President-elect, Sen. Kashim Shettima was from the North, it was only right that the Senate President came from the South.
He assured that the 10th Senate would be totally different from others, adding that the integrity group would visit chairmen of other political parties that made up the in-coming Senate to gain from there impute and advice.
Akpabio, while noting that the integrity team was poised to bring change, said the APC leadership should appeal to other party members to support its zoning 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 is the only way to progress.
“We have interacted with the governors of Lagos, Kastina and even Rivers State to tell them about our plans and policies.
“We intend to bring stability, as well intend to make you proud to put an end to poverty, insecurity and unemployment through legislations that will change things through supervision and strict oversight,”he said.
Adamu in his response, said the party was still consulting on issues concerning the leadership of the in-coming Assembly to carry everyone along.
He said the constitutions had been fruitful, adding that the final decision would however be on the floor of Senate.
“Whatever we do, whatsoever signature we collect, the final decision will be on the floor of the Senate and also the house,”he said.
On the on going agitation especially from those opposed to the party’s zoning decision, Adamu said that people were bound to hold opinions, adding that the party had no right to stop them.
“All these efforts are very good and important, but we are in a democracy and people are bound to have opinions and we have no right to stop them.
“I am happy that we are heeding the advice and directives we gave to make consultations, and it is good that is going on and I am happy that it is been very fruitful.
“We wait till June 3 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, the rules of the game say there must be election.
“Those who are in the Senate are aware of the rules. I do hope and pray that we will carry the day and be victorious,”the APC national chairman said.
In an apparent reference to what transpired ahead of the 8th Senate, Adamu warned Akpabio not to be late to the floor on the day of election.
“But let me warn, don’t be late, because once bitten twice a shy,” he said.
