As the tussle for the Senate presidency stool hots up, Niger Delta youths under the National Youths’ Council of Nigeria (NYCN) South-South zone, yesterday endorsed the calls for the South-South zone to produce the next Senate president.
They also tipped former governor of Akwa Ibom State Godswill Akpabio’s quest to rule the 10th Senate.
NYCN said it was constrained to support the cause based on the fact that Akpabio is imbued with “all the sterling qualities needed to preside over the affairs of the Red Chamber in the new dispensation.
Addressing Journalists in Uyo, the state capital, the South -South NYCN vice president, Comrade Innocent Ajayi, and assistant secretary, Comrade Uko Michael, said their choice of Akpabio, became necessary, following his eventful leadership antecedents in public service in various offices and positions.
A communique arising from their meeting resolved that for equity, justice, and fair play, the South-South deserves the position with Akpabio on the leadership saddle.
Part of the communique reads: “Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio needs no introduction, having been a two-term Governor of Akwa Ibom State, with an unprecedented performance in office still ringing loudly within and outside the state.
“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.
“Since the Senate presidency of Distinguished Senator Joseph Wayas, who hailed from Cross River State, (1978/1983) during the Fourth Republic, which was later truncated on December 31, 1983, nobody from the South-South, has tasted the Senate presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria again.
“From the above, and 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 stabilise the ship of the 10th National Assembly.”
They, therefore, appealed to the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, ensure he reciprocate the good gesture of the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, for the role he played for Tinubu, to win the presidential primary and subsequent election at the presidential contest.
