As the Senate prepares to elect its new leadership, Governor Hope Uzodinma, Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum and governor of Imo State, has indicated that Senator Godswill Akpabio may emerge as the consensus candidate among the senators. Uzodinma shared this information after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu, where he was appointed as the chair of a technical committee overseeing the success of the 10th Senate election.
According to Uzodinma, over 90 percent of the senators-elect are in support of Akpabio, the former governor of Akwa Ibom State, and they believe he will be victorious in the contest for leadership positions in the upper chamber. However, Akpabio faces strong competition from Abdulaziz Yari, the former governor of Zamfara State, whose supporters argue that his election would recognize the northwest zone's contribution of votes to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last presidential election.
Uzodinma emphasized the significance of national interest and the need to support the new president in order to achieve a strong and successful leadership. He expressed confidence that Akpabio's acceptance spans across political parties and that he could potentially emerge as a consensus candidate due to his track record of performance.
Akpabio himself stated that if elected, he would lead a robust Senate where public hearings would precede decision-making processes. He highlighted the importance of assisting President Tinubu in implementing policies that would promote a vibrant economy and generate employment opportunities for Nigerians.
Akpabio acknowledged that differences in political ideologies are common in politics but assured that he would carry along senators-elect who may not initially support him. He expressed gratitude for the support received from various political parties and pledged to work towards a united and effective Senate that serves the best interests of the Nigerian people.
While the outcome of the Senate election remains uncertain, both Uzodinma and Akpabio expressed optimism and conveyed their commitment to a unified and productive Senate that prioritizes the welfare and progress of Nigeria.
