Newsday publisher backs Akpabio for Senate Presidency

Ofonime Honesty, Uyo

Former Chairman of Urueoffong Oruko Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State and publisher of Newsday Newspaper, Chief Edet Okon Isong, aka, Chief Windy Isong, has thrown his weight behind former Governor of Akwa Ibom State and Senator-elect, Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, Chief Godswill Akpabio to emerge as the 10th President of Nigeria’s Senate.

Making the call during an interaction with newsmen in Uyo on Saturday, Isong said Senator Akpabio’s knowledge of the legislature and excellent track record stand him out among others considered for the office.

“His mastery of the rules and proceedings and other workings of the national assembly makes him a clear favourite. His antecedents also speak glibly for him at a time like this. From being a commissioner to serving Akwa Ibom State as governor for eight years, then transiting to the Senate to become minority leader before being appointed as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio has always performed creditably.

“If you do some checks on the track record of others being considered for the job, you’d discover that, Akpabio towers above them all. Yes, they are equally qualified to serve as Senate President but I insist that the job be given to the best man who is Akpabio.”

Chief Isong, who founded the famous Good Governance Group International (GGG) to rally support for the Senator-elect when he was campaigning for the governorship of Akwa Ibom State in 2007, also stressed that his Pan-Nigerian disposition will favourably suit the office as he would be able to manage interests of different states, ethnicities and religions.

“When compared with other contenders from other geo-political zones, you will discover that he has built bridges and friendships across the country. He can utilize such in the management of issues that shall be brought before the 10th Senate,” he said.

He hailed the Senator-elect as reliable, charismatic and resilient, and advised the All Progressives Congress (APC) to give the South-South and Christians a sense of belonging by giving them the senate presidency:

“Even though I am not a religious bigot or fanatic, I have to be realistic on the issue of the Muslim-Muslim ticket of President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Shettima. The Senate presidency coming to the Christian South will help douse that the Muslim ticket controversy.

“My conviction goes further that the dedication and loyalty exhibited over the years to the APC also puts him in pole position for the job,” he added.

Furthermore, Chief Isong condemned calls for the installation of an interim national government in Nigeria, describing such as anti-democratic and treasonable.

He advised that “in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation like Nigeria, such calls should be discouraged to forestall a slide into chaos and strife.”

He also suggested to candidates and political parties that feel dissatisfied with the outcome of the elections, to approach the courts instead of instigating unrest in the country.