Akpabio’s emergence a balancing factor — PANDEF

The leadership of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has said that the emergence of Senator Godswill Akpabio as President of the 10th Senate has provided some degree of balance in the national government.

PANDEF, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday, by its spokesman, Ken Robsion, said it welcomed the outcome of the election.

The forum described the “imperious attempt” by some groups and individuals to foist an “all-Muslim” leadership on the country as not only unfortunate, but also incendiary.

The statement reads in part: “We salute their courage and statesmanship in putting Nigeria’s unity and stability before parochial interests.

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“We thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for their firm resolve on the zoning of the senate presidency to the South South and for following through on it.

“PANDEF is confident that Senator Godswill Akpabio, with his wealth of experience and knowledge of the dynamics of the polity, will provide the desired leadership and candour in directing the affairs of the senate, and indeed, the National Assembly, to the utmost benefit of the people of Nigeria.

“PANDEF further restates its commitment to the promotion of peace, unity and sustainable development in the Niger Delta region and the nation as a whole.”