By Chimezie Godfrey
A political analyst, Prince Kassim Afegbua says Senator Godswill Akpabio remains the most qualified candidate chosen by the All Progressive Congress (APC) for the Senate leadership of the 10th National Assembly.
Afegbua made this assertion Wednesday in a statement made available to Newsdiaryonline, reiterated that Senator Akpabio is eminently qualified for the position zoned to the South-South taking into consideration several factors; which includes religious balancing, geopolitical reasons, contributions to the success of the party in the presidential election, character of the individual and their antecedents in building of the nation.
He therefore dismissed orchestrated media reports that some Senators-elect are withdrawing from supporting Senator Akpabio for the Senate Presidency.
He said,”We have been reading orchestrated media reports saying that some Senators-elect are withdrawing from supporting Senator Akpabio for the Senate Presidency; nothing can be farther from the truth.
“The APC has zoned the Senate Presidency to the South-South and picked an eminently qualified Senator, Senator Godswill Akpabio, as the consensus candidate for the position. The party, in taking that informed decision, took into consideration several factors: religious balancing, geopolitical reasons, contributions to the success of the party in the presidential election, character of the individual and their antecedents in building our nation.
“Senator Akpabio is not just a man of quality, content and character, additionally, he understands the intricate logic of our geopolitical sensitivities: the unity, cohesion and stability of our federation. Some people may be deploying illicit funds to buy the consciences of some of the senators; my response to this is, put country first; man must not live by bread alone.”
He added,”The leadership of the 10th National Assembly should be held by an individual of quality. This quality is not about money, money, money. It should be about meeting the criteria of national balance, fairness and good intentions, seen through their antecedents. In a multi-party democracy, the supremacy of the party cannot be over-emphasised. If individuals who are driven by their inordinate ambitions wish to undermine the supremacy of the party, she may have to wield the big stick.
“The current and outgoing Senate President is a product of party supremacy; he was endorsed by the party to serve as Senate President for the current assembly. For the 10th Assembly, the ruling party, the APC, has stated categorically that her candidates of choice are Senators Godswill Akpabio for Senate President, and Jibrin Barau for Deputy Senate President; this position was arrived at based on sound arguments and judgments, which preponderance far outweighed any other argument.
“Therefore, every committed member in good faith and good conscience should respect this position of the party, and immediately rally together with other party members to promote her position; instead of playing havoc with the issue. Deploying illicit funds to bribe their way through is an unfortunate underhand tactic. With a muslim-mulsim Presidency, it is natural to expect other religions to lead this arm of government, for religious harmony, balance and unity.
“Senator Godswill Akpabio remains the man to beat for this exalted office of Senate Presidency; he has everything going for him in this particular race. Those who are desperate to alter the robust and mutual agreement already in place to ensure stability of the system, will be disappointed and disgraced, in the end.”
Afegbua stressed that the South-South geopolitical zone is not just an integral part of the Nigeria Federation but also one whose peace and stability, like other zones, is required to maintain and promote the economic wellness of the country.
“Any attempt to deny the zone what has been zoned to her, could be looked upon as a deliberate effort at undermining us; this would not augur well for our nation. Give to Caesaer what is his.
“As the treasure base of the country, the importance of the South-South zone cannot be over-emphasised. It is in our collective enlightened self interest not to provoke the South-South by any means, worse still a dubious one, or to disturb the peace and tranquility being experienced in the zone. We are resolute and unswerving in defence of our rights and recognition as distinguished citizens of this great country. On Akpabio we stand,” Afegbua declared.
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