NYCN rallies support for Akpabio as Senate President

Ini Billie, Uyo

The National Youth Council of Nigeria, South-South zone, has rallied its support around Godswill Akpabio as the 10th Senate President, saying he would be a stabilizer.

National Vice President of the group, Comrade Innocent Ajayi, and Assistant General Secretary, Comrade Uko Michael said Akpabio has the credentials and capacity to ensure a smooth working relationship between the National Assembly and the executive arm of government.

In a press statement signed by the leadership of the group after a meeting and made available to our correspondent in Uyo on Thursday, the NYC said Akpabio has the political sagacity to stabilize the senate and ensure good rapport between the assembly and the presidency that would accelerate the development of the country through people-centric programmes.

They urged the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, senators-elect of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party and other political parties, as well as stakeholders to support Akpabio to become the next Senate President.

The NYC who commended the Arewa Youths, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and other groups for identifying with Akpabio stated that the former Niger Delta Affairs Minister, Minority Leader and governor of Akwa Ibom State deserves the senate presidency seat and should be allowed to assume the position.

“As the race for who becomes the next senate president gathers steam, we of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, South-South Zone are constrained to fully throw our weight behind the aspiration of Senator Godswill Akpabio, (CON) whom we believe has all the sterling qualities needed to preside over the affairs of the 10th Senate as Senate President.

“The man who had set the enviable record of becoming the first Senate Minority Leader as a first-timer is eminently qualified to sit atop the Red Chamber of the yet-to-be-constituted 10th National Assembly given his track record in the political firmament of the country.

“Apart from his undoubted capacity in leadership, Akpabio is from the south-south geo-political zone of the country which produces the bulk of the wealth of the country and yet has not produced Nigeria’s senate president since the dawn of democracy in 1999.

“The former two-term governor of Akwa Ibom State is a loyal and very committed party man who enjoys massive followership in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in his home state and beyond.

“For the sake of justice, equity and fair play, it is imperative that the next Senate President emerges from the south-south region of the country, and Senator Godswill Akpabio is the rightful person by experience, capacity and leadership prowess to take up the exalted position. Akpabio, a stabilizer, will help stabilize the ship of the 10th National Assembly. 

“His cult followership, it is worth stating, cuts across all political parties in the state as results of the last senatorial election have proved. Senator Akpabio was massively voted for by APC faithful and members from other political parties, hence his overwhelming victory as senator-elect for Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district.

“Among other things, Akpabio will ensure a smooth working relationship between the National Assembly and the Executive arm of government in order to accelerate the development of the country through people-centric programmes.

“He will bring his political sagacity and ensure stability in the 10th senate, thus allowing for a good rapport between the presidency and the Red Chamber.

“His senate presidency will further strengthen the place of APC in the south-south and ensure the party is solidified even more in the region. Akpabio is a man of the people hence he is the sort of politician that will give direction and many will, without compilation, follow,” they stated.