Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
As horse-trading and intense lobbying for the President of the 10th Senate continue, no fewer than 72 former senators have reportedly adopted former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, for the position of the third citizen of the country.
Akpabio who is said to be the preferred choice of the President-Elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is being projected by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC ‘progressives.’
The ‘progressives’ were also said to have endorsed Tinubu’s zoning formula.
A prominent member of the group and former senator representing Kano Central, Basheer Lado, confirmed this during a press conference in Abuja on Monday.
“We, in the spirit of equity, fairness, political expediency and following extensive consultations with stakeholders, hereby express our total support for the zoning of the position of the president of the 10th senate, to the South-South geo-political zone of Nigeria,” he said.
“We also affirm our unfettered support for the position of the president of the 10th Senate who also doubles as the Chairman of the national assembly to be conferred on His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON.
Some of the former senators said to have endorsed Akpabio include: George Akume, Basheer Lado, Rilwan Akanbi, Barnabas Gemade, and Grace Bent.
Others are Binta Masi Garba, Ayogu Eze, Andy Uba, Ibrahim Ida, Olorunnimbe Mamora, Anthony Adeniyi, and Ganiyu Solomon.
Gbenga Obadara, Gbenga Kaka, Musiliu Obanikoro, Arise Ayo, Felix Kolawole Bajomo, and Hassain Mudashiru, also made the list.
Others are Domingo Obende, Wilson Ake, Ita Enang, Heineken Lokpobiri, Clever Ikisikpo, Ita Giwa, Ibrahim Musa, Alex Kadiri, Ocheja Emma Dangana, and Jibriu Wowo,
Isa Maina, Mohammed Ohiare, Abubakar Sodangi, Joseph Akaagerger, Jack Tilley Gyado, Abubakar Tutare, Bello TukuTuku, Ahmed Barata, Abba Aji, and Mohammed A. Mohammed, were among them.
Others are Umar Idris, Adamu Talba, Sidi Ali, Timothy Adudu, Ishaq Adebayo Salman, Akin Odunsi, Seye Ogunlewe, Fatima Raji Rasaki, Lanre Tejuoso, and Nkechi Nwaogu.
Among them are Margery Chuba Okadigbo, Mohammed Saleh, Sani Kanba, Abubakar Abdullahi Naamo, Danladi Sankara, Mohammed Ibrahim, Sola Adeyeye, Anthony Agbo, Ikechukwu Obiora, and Chris Adighije.
Others are Emma Anosike, Jalo Zarami, Alkali Jajere, Oladipo Odujinrin, Mohammed Alkali, Sunday Ogbuoji, Abu Ibrahim, Bello Maitama, Saddiq Yar’adua, Jide Omoworare, Anthony Manzo, Aminu Inuwa, Magnus Abeh and Ben Ayade.
