By Joy Omagha Idam
It is on record that the political arrangements in our recent past have not favoured the South South geopolitical zone, particularly as it concerns the Senate Presidency and to this end we request the support of all other regions of Nigeria to endorse Senator Godswill Obot Akpali, by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to the Convener South South Solidarity Group (SSSG) Peter Ikpen Ilefa all other zones have had their fair share of political offices particularly as it concerns the Senate Presidency, the South Soithregion apart from the late Senator Joseph Wayas, who held forth in the second Republic, “the region has not gotten to that exalted office again”.
He further stressed that “it’s on record that the South East had produced 8 Senate Presidents Most of whom were during the regime of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and has sufficiently gone round the 5 South Eastern states.”
We have stopped to be onlookers in the politics of Nigeria and without sounding immodest, the Senate Presidency for all intents and purposes have been graciously zoned to our region (South South) and ultimately pinned down to our Uncommon Senator who is an agent of change and accelerated development in the Niger Delta Region.
“In view of this we express our gratitude to PANDEF for throwing it’s weight solidly behind the enthronement of a South Southern Senate Presidency.”
Good a thing the President Elect had stated his preference for government of national unity, a government that won’t sacrifice capacity and competence for mundane issue of ethnicity.
“We deserve the number 3 position in the country having half heartedly gotten the Nigeria’s presidency for just once and this time, the Senate President is coming to us and we need the support of all Nigerians in the APC’s determined efforts to see an Akpabio presidency.”
In 8 years Senator Akpabio as Governor of Akwa Ibom, transformed Ụyo to a mega city, built and developed human capacity and built the a World Class Stadium.
Akpabio as Senate President will build a formidable Senate for growth and development of the nation and not to antagonize other arms of government. He will build harmonious relationship in the red Chambers of the National Assembly.
Akpabio as President of the Senate, won’t see the President and Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces as his enemy. Akpabio will bring his administrative expertise to bear in robust deliberations on national issues.
The group appreciated Senator Dave Umahi for stepping down and assuming Chairman of campaign for Senator Akpabio for President. They also thanked the northern governors who have seen reason beyond ethnicity to build a new Nigeria by readily supporting a southern Senate President.
Finally “to our President-Elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we say thank you for seeing Senator Akpabio worthy to be entrusted with the respected office of the Senate President.”
Ours is a rainbow coalition of groups in the Niger Delta region and beyond routing for a more equitable and workable Nigeria. We thank our Grand Patron who is the Chief of Staff of Cross River State, Chief Hon Martin Orim and our Patron Engineer Ben Ogede who have been the strength behind the group.