Emmanuel Ogodo, EMERALD NEWS Special Reporter, based in Abuja, analyses the chances of Senator Godswill Akpabio winning the 10th senate presidency. Despite being heavily supported by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria’s president elect, the opposition mounting against his candidacy may overrun his victory.
THE REPORT
Intrigues have continued to trail the annointing of Senator Godswill Akpabio by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as the chosen candidate for Nigeria’s senate presidency in the incoming 10th national assembly.
With oppositions mounting from both APC stakeholders and loyalists alike, many of whom ought to play leading roles in determining who becomes the next senate president, the candidacy of the former Akwa Ibom state governor and former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, appears to be jerky.
Idris Wase, the current deputy speaker and a speakership aspirant, for instance, had alleged that the zoning formula by the party for the leadership of the 10th national assembly, is not inclusive enough, noting that some of them were not consulted before the decision was made.
The APC had in its National Executive Council meeting attended by members of its National Working Committee and the president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, within the week, zoned the senate presidency and its deputy to the South South and North West, choosing Godswill Akpabio and Jibrin Barau for the respective positions.They also chose Tajudeen Abbas (North West) and Benjamin Kalu (South East) for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively.
Again, Muktar Betara, who has been re-elected into the House of Representatives for the 5th time and also a contestant for the speakership position, said the zoning was lopsided, noting that Barau and Abbas were both from the North West. Ondo state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has also faulted the zoning formula, referring to it as a ‘skewed arrangement’.
One of the contestants for the senate presidency and current chief whip of the senate, Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North senatorial district, has continued to insist that it is only equitable and justifiable for the South East to produce the next senate president.
According to him, “Me thinks it’s strategic to zone the president of the senate to South East, based on equity, fairness and natural justice. Nigeria is on tripod, and since Southeast didn’t get the president or vice, it becomes strategic to start a process of reconciliation and recovery with the zone.”
After a caucus meeting of APC senators-elect held within the week in Abuja, Ali Ndume, Dave Umahi and Jibrin Barau who had earlier declared interest to head the 10th senate have all stepped down and declared support for Akpabio, but Kalu has refused to shift grounds.
Given Sen. Akpabio’s past relationship with the president-elect, Bola Tinubu, another concern which has been raised with Akpabio’s candidacy is the issue of the upper legislative chamber being controlled by the executive.
Recall that Senator Akpabio was first among the seven candidates who stepped down for Tinubu during the APC presidential primaries held between June 6 and 7, 2022. He had after stepping down, asked the 93 delegates from Akwa Ibom state to vote for Tinubu.
The senator-elect, Delta South senatorial district, Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, has this to say, “The last thing that this NASS won’t want to be associated with is that “they are rubber stamp”. Even if we want to be rubber stamp, I am pretty sure that we will do it with some level of dignity. Therefore, let the best man win.”
The composition of the senate in the 10th assembly due to be inaugurated on June 13, is another factor that the ruling party seems to be taking lightly. 50 out of a total of 109 senators are members of different opposition parties, with the main opposition party (PDP) having 36 seats.
With this composition, a simple coalition by senators of the opposition parties can cost APC principal offices at the senate, especially with the division and disagreement among senators and other stakeholders of the party regarding the leadership of the 10th national assembly.
A call has been placed. The tussle is on. A winner must emerge. Will Akpabio succeed Lawan? Time will tell.
