Senate presidency: South-South youths back Akpabio

The South-South Youth and Stakeholders’ Forum, a youth-led organization, has drummed support for the aspiration of Senator Godswill Akpabio to become the next Senate president.

The group noted that his presidency would assuage the South South zone, which is yet to occupy that position since the inception of the fourth republic.

At a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, Legborsi Yamaabana, chairman of the forum, said after taking stock of all the aspirants to the office of senate president, Akpabio stood out.

He said: “Law-making is a serious business with far-reaching consequences on the people. This is the reason we are calling on the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), the President-Elect, all elected senators, and stakeholders to cede the Senate President position to South/South. We are also calling on our dear President-Elect, H.E, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and stakeholders, to look in the direction of H. E, Senator Godswill Akpabio for the office of Senate President, as the leadership of the 10th NASS emerges soon.

“For the sake of inclusion and national integration in mainstream governance, and in line with the spirit and principle of Federal Character, we are appealing to stakeholders to support the South/South, whose last and only shot at the Senate Presidency was in 1979, when Joseph Wayas was elected under President Shehu Shagari.

“We want to assure the President-Elect that an Akpabio’s Senate Presidency will ensure a healthy and friction-free mutually beneficial relationship between the National Assembly and the Federal Government. That our collectively endorsed candidate, Sen Akpabio is experienced, equipped and a ranking Senator with deep understanding of legislative procedures & processes, clearly shows him as the square personality, for this square responsibility.”

The group also urged the incoming administration to consider citizens of the region for strategic federal appointments.

“We have also observed with great dismay that no South/South person is heading any of the federal parastatals like the NNPC, FIRS, EFCC, DPR, etc. We therefore, call on the in-coming President to consider citizens of the South/South for strategic federal appointments for the sake of fairness and equity.”