Senate Presidency: Ebonyi Senator-Elect Makes U-turn, Backs Akpabio

By Nwogha Ndubuisi Andy, Abakaliki

Ebonyi North Senator Elect, Barr Onyekachi Peter Nwebonyi has advocated for the support of the former Akwaibom State Governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio as the president of the 10th house of Senate. Nwebonyi in a statement issued by the media aide, Amb. Valentine Nwori, noted that the choice of Senator Akpabio against his counterpart, governor of Ebonyi state became necessary due to the standing rules of the Senate in its formation and election of her leader. According to him, the former Commissioner made this known to newsmen at the PorthHarcout Airport during the 2-day working visit of Nigeria president elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu at Rivers State. According to him, "During the visit, Chief Barr. Nwebonyi granted an interview, wherein, he enjoined his colleagues, Senators-elect across the country and particularly those from Southeast geopoli

tical zone to put strong alliance with the ambition of Senator Godswill Akpabio to become Senate President at the 10th National Assembly. He argued that Senator Akpabio, who's a ranking Senator, and two term former Governor of Akwa-Ibom State cum former Minority Leader of the 8th Senate, and former Minister and a great in-law of Ndigbo is not only qualified for the coveted position, but also a trusted charismatic leader who would help to launch the Southeast into the political mainstream of Nigeria leadership and governance, where Ndigbo will be rewarded and compensated appropriately. Chief Nwebonyi insisted that what the leaders of the Southeast geopolitical zone needed now is strong alignment and proper negotiations from leaders of others zones in order to fasten the actualization of the dreams of producing President from Igbo extraction and taking proper place in the scheme of things. He added that Sen.Akpabio if supported and voted in as number 3 citizen of Nigeria will assist Ndigbo greatly because of his accommodating spirit. He further explained that for the love Senator Akpabio has for Ndigbo prompted him to have married their daughter from Enugu State. Barrister Nwebonyi reiterated that the time for political lamentation or self pity are gone and noted that power is not given,but rather taken and the best strategy to take power in Nigeria polity is by forming alliance with other tribes and zones. He quoted President Buhari and incoming President Tinubu as most recent leaders, who had formed strong alliance from South and North and achieved electoral success respectively. "If there is any other time for us leaders to deepen our alliance with other zones, it is now and it begins with Senate Presidency. "We should work assiduously to deliver Sen.Akpabio as the Senate President and expect reciprocation from other zones to seeing that the position of Deputy Speaker Federal House of Representatives emerged from Southeast at present and president of Nigeria in the nearest future. Nwebonyi further stated that a nationalist like his mentor, His Excellency, Chief Engr. David Nweze Umahi,the executive Governor of Ebonyi State is as qualified as Sen. Godswill Akpabio,if not for the standing rules of the Senate in the formation and election of its leadership.