Akpabio: Unveiling the 10th National Assembly Senate President -By Abba Dukawa

Senator Godswill Akpabio led 10 National Assembly came at the critical situation as the country face an economic malaise that has consigned millions of Nigerians to “Multidimensional Poverty” even as a few ones continue to enjoy the nation’s wealth.

For the sake of cordial relationship between executive and legislative the legislators should not compromise they roles which the constitution vested. Among them to deliberate upon matters of national importance, public issues, problems and needs is an important function of a modern legislature.

They also performs critical function of overseeing the Executive and ensuring government spending aligns with Legislative intents. It is vital for them to ensuring that the wishes and aspirations of all Nigerians are considered during the lawmaking process.

The country and citizens will not forget in hurry how 9th National Assembly leaders jeopardize Nigeria’s Future granted any careless executive loan request both domestic and foreign debts within blinking of eyes.

They inability to cultivate to ensure financial discipline and prudent management of the nation economy has the soaring nation’s debts. Where the country using 50% of its revenue to service its debts! Nigeria’s rising debt profile is fast becoming a worrisome trend. Debt servicing gulps N7.04 trillion under immediate past administration.

Senator Godswill Akpabio’s emergence came after hotly contesting between him and former Zamfara state Governor Abdulaziz Yari. Godswill Akpabio, has emerged as the Senate President of the 10th Assembly was sworn in as the Senate President after garnering 63 votes, leaving his closet rival Yari to 46 votes.

One of the things that endear people to Akpabio is his constant smile. You’d hardly catch him frowning, no matter what was going wrong. The former governor is also known for his oratory prowess, intelligence and poise. He is always displaying confidence and great self-esteem.

He is one of the few lucky Nigerians born with a silver spoon who have been in governance and at the helm of affairs for a long time. Akpabio is perceived to be from a strong political dynasty; his grandfather, Okuku Udo Akpabio, was the Warrant Chief in Ikot Ekpene province in the old Nigeria.

10th Senate President Political journey. In 2002, he was appointed as the Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources by the then Governor Obong Victor Attah in Akwa Ibom State. Between 2002 and 2006, served as a commissioner in three key ministries: Petroleum and Natural Resources, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, as well as Lands and Housing.

Following his stint as commissioner, Akpabio threw his hat into the ring for the Akwa Ibom governorship election, where he battled with 57 others to clinch the ticket of his then party, the Peoples Democratic Party. Launched with the slogan, “Thy will be done,” Akpabio won the governorship election in 2006 and got re-elected as the number one citizen of Akwa Ibom for the second time in 2011.

Performance as Akwa Ibom Governor.His tenure as Governor, Akpabio’s initiated and completed landmark infrastructure projects, including the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, also known as Nest of Champions, one of the best such facilities in Africa. Constructed strategic flyover bridges, the pipe jacking drainage system in Uyo Metropolis, the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene and a labyrinth of urban, semi urban and rural road network, all of which added to the transformation of the state’s development landscape. He patented the phrase ‘uncommon transformation’ by his unprecedented governance deliverables in human and infrastructural development.

In 2013, Akpabio was elected chairman of the PDP Governors Forum. In 2015, he contested and won the Senate seat of the Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District to represent the district in the Senate under platform of the PDP. As a first timer against Senate rule, was made a principal officer as the Senate Minority Leader. In August 2018, he resigned as the Senate Minority Leader after announcing his defection to the All Progressives Congress.

In 2019, he was nominated by the former President, Muhammadu Buhari, and screened by the Nigerian Senate for a ministerial appointment and sworn in as Minister for Niger Delta Affairs. In 2022, Akpabio’s ambition went even higher when he resigned his appointment as the minister for Niger Delta Affairs to contest in the presidential primaries of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Senator Godswill Akpabio will be remembered in the outgoing electoral season for his exemplary act of political maturity and nationalist inclinations. He stepped down on the night of the primaries for the president, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the eventual winner of the APC Presidential Primaries.

By that display of team spirit, he stood out on that June night at the Eagle Square as an example in commitment to greater goals. He provided a bold example that was followed by other presidential aspirants.

He remain vociferous and courageous campaigned for APC and Tinubu. Akpabio never stood on the fence. He was everywhere together with Adams Oshiomole, Ben Ayade and Omo Agege, they raked in almost a million votes for APC from a PDP dominated region.

Dukawa write in from Kano can be reach at abbahydukawa@gmail.com