South-South groups back Akpabio for Senate president

A coalition of groups comprising states in the Southsouth has supported former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to emerge as president of 10th Senate.

Addressing a news conference in Uyo yesterday under the aegis of Coalition of South-South Community for United Nigeria, Justice and Equity, the Chairman, Eseme Eyibo, said Akpabio was more qualified to be the Senate president.

The coalition appealed to the All Progressives Congress (APC), President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu and senators-elect to zone the Senate presidency to the South South for equity, justice and fairness.

Eyibo, a former member of the House of Representatives and ex-chairman of Cross River Basin Authority, said Akpabio had the capacity and pedigree to occupy the office.

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He said: “If we follow the model of what has been going on in this country, each time the Senate presidency comes to southern Nigeria, it is usually micro-zoned to the Southeast.”

“Southeast has enjoyed uninterrupted Senate presidency for five times-Adolphos Wagbara from Abia State, Evans Enwerem from Imo State, Chuba Okadigbo from Anambra State, Pius Anyim from Ebonyi State and Ken Nnamani from Enugu State.

“The position has been distributed to five Southeastern states. So, now that the Senate presidency is coming to the South, it cannot go to the Southwest because the president is from the Southwest. The natural place, if we mean zoning, it should go to, is the Southsouth.

“We are presenting Sen. Akpabio for this position. We seek the support of all.”