The All Progressives Congress (APC) has stated why it endorsed Godswill Akpabio, a former Governor of Akwa Ibom as the Senate President of the 10th National Assembly.
APC’s Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka spoke when he appeared on Tuesday in an interview with Channels Television.
According to Morka, the party zoned the 10th Assembly leadership positions to reduce the “scope of contention” among aspirants.
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He went further and said that APC was only offering “suggestions” on the leadership structure of the 10th National Assembly.
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The secretary said having met with a “greater majority” of the aspirants, the party disclosed its position which was Akpabio, saying “no senate president has come from (south-south) region since 1999.”
He said:
“The party is only offering ideas and suggestions.
“Sometimes, when people aspire, they are blindsided by their aspirants and don’t quite see the full national interest. The party is in a position to see the national interest.
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“We consulted a greater majority of the party men and women, who are aspiring. We are simply offering recommendations because, at the end of the day, votes are to be taken on the floor of the Senate and House of Representatives.
“I am from the south-south and I don’t see why the south-south is ineligible for consideration. After all, no senate president has come from that region since 1999 — in this dispensation.
“We haven’t had that. Other regions have had some representations. For instance, five of them held that position from the Southeast.
“That does not mean that the south-east is ineligible or unfit to produce the senate president, every region of this country can.
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“But there is something else that we are concerned about; it’s called national interest, equity, inclusion, and a sense of ownership.”
Recall that on Monday, the ruling party nominated Akpabio, who is from the South-south as senate president. It nominated Barau Jibrin, a Senator representing Kano North, as Deputy Senate President.
Also, Abbas Tajudeen was nominated as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, while Benjamin Kalu was recommended for the Deputy Speaker position.
