Tracking Akpabio’s Legacy Antecedents, Leadership Drive
Akpabio is a natural bridge-builder...He will renew the spirit of patriotism in Nigeria, consider the public needs and opinions, provide stability in the Senate and institute massive amounts of change in the country
Known for his zeal for service delivery, uncommon leadership and legacy projects, Senator Godswill Akpabio, former governor of Akwa Ibom State, has always contributed his quota to society whether at the state or federal level. However, Sunday Ehigiator writes that it's his antecedents in governance that places him on such a pedestal and deservedly so
For weeks on end, following the conclusion of the 2023 plebiscites, the struggle for the leadership of the 10th National Assembly has dominated the media space. With the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), managing a slim majority among a variegated political parties’ representation in the two chambers of the National Assembly, it was clear that the competition for the presiding officers promises to be fierce.
The Senate as well as the House of Representatives is now to be populated by a rainbow membership from APC, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and Young Progressive Party (YPP).
The usual dominance of a ruling party and a dominant opposition party is now history, as oppositions in this 10th Assembly, put together, weigh enough power to sit on the negotiation table at equal shoulders with the opposition.
Senate Presidency Aspirants
Aside from the leading aspirant, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio, others eyeing the 10th Senate presidency includes, serving Senate President, Ahmad Lawan (APC, Yobe North); Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East); Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North); Senator Jibrin Barau (APC Kano North); Deputy Senate leader, Senator Abdul Ningi (APC, Bauchi Central); Osita Izunaso (APC, IMO) is also in the race; and Senator Abdul- Aziz Yari (APC, Zamfara).
Although Governor David Umahi (APC, Ebonyi South) and Mr Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North), who would be first-time legislators, were once interested in becoming senate president, they have since bandied forces to bolster Akpabio's race. Also, Senator Ali Ndume has become the Director General of Akpabio's run for office of the Senate president.
Why Akpabio Stands Out
As a first-timer in the Eighth Senate, Akpabio displaced a ranking senator, James Manager, to become a principal officer, the position he held until he defected to APC during Bukola Saraki’s tenure as Senate President. He later became Minister of Niger-Delta Affairs.
The answers that Akpabio would be bringing to the table if elected as the 10th Senate President of Nigeria are not far-fetched as they are readily available for the people to see during his two-term tenure as a state governor of Akwa Ibom State, former Senate Minority Leader and most recently, former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
Unlike other aspirants for the presidency of the Senate, Senator Akpabio's uncommon performance as the governor of Akwa Ibom State was a watershed in the history of the development of the then newly created state just the way the Asiwaju Tinubu governorship of Lagos State marked a foundational administration for Lagos State that was used as a major plank of marketing the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.
To his credit, as acknowledged by even the hard-to-please former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who wished he could transfer his sterling performance to his home state of Ogun, Senator Akpabio could be said to have laid the foundation for all good development in Akwa Ibom State of today.
Among the many legacies of Akpabio that endures is the International Stadium in Uyo, the Ibom Specialist Hospital, the first concentric flyover in Akwa Ibom, the Akwa Ibom Airport, New Governor’s Office and Governor and Deputy Governor’s Lodges, free and compulsory education for all residents at primary and secondary levels, 1000 kilometres of dualized roads and free medical treatment for pregnant women, children and the aged.
All these spoke well for him to head for the Senate and transmuted to another uncommon accomplishment of being the first Senator to achieve the leadership position of the Minority Leader of the Senate as a first-timer.
The Akwa-Ibom Antecedents
For the records, Senator Akpabio’s tenure as Governor of Akwa Ibom State from 2007 to 2015 witnessed an all-around transformation in the affairs of the hitherto ‘Civil Service State’.
He transformed the state with an uncommon touch, which earned him the appellation, ‘Uncommon Transformer’. He took over the affairs of the state with anger and hunger for its development. He was very much in a hurry to meet up with other developed states in the country, if not surpass them.
At the end of his tenure, he successfully bequeathed a state that its indigenes both home and abroad, are today proud of.
He placed the state on the world aviation map when he ensured that Christian pilgrims from the state, for the first time, were airlifted to the Holy Land from the Ibom International Airport, now rechristened Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo. He also got the state into the Guinness Book of World Records, by assembling the largest number of carol singers in an event.
He turned the state from a pedestrian one to a destination by putting in place infrastructures that have continued to be a reference point in national development discourse.
Akpabio is bringing to the table of the Senate Presidency, the best International and FIFA recognized Stadium, the Ibom Specialist Hospital, the Victor Attah International Stadium( which he met at the site clearing level), and a declaration of free and compulsory education for all Nigerian children resident in Akwa Ibom State from Primary to Secondary levels.
He is bringing with him, the first E-Library, thousand kilometres of dualised roads and concentric flyover, a brand new Governors and Deputy Governor's Lodge, a brand new Governor's office and Exco Chamber, a brand new state Banquet Hall, an Underground flood Pipe Jacking System, free medical treatment for pregnant women, children and the aged among numerous others. He is bringing to the table his commitment to the human capital development of Nigerians.
Akpabio is also bringing to the table over 36 years of cognate experience in law practice.
It never came as a surprise that he emerged as the Senate Minority Leader as a first-timer in 2018, a clear demonstration of his colleagues' belief and confidence in his capacity.
And with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s quest to unite and heal the country, Akpabio best fit in bringing stability to the 10th Senate. He did it when he was the Minority Leader of the Senate in the 8th Senate.
He brings to the table legislative experience coupled with executive understanding. These in no small way, would contribute to a smooth working relationship with the other arms of government and guarantee development for the Nigerian state.
The NDDC Antecedents
The former Minister, Niger Delta Affairs is coming to the table with the successful conduct of the forensic audit of the NDDC accounts and production of a new working template for the productive running of the agency, despite orchestrated and sponsored attempts by entrenched interest to scuttle the exercise.
He is bringing to the table the completion and commissioning of the over 23years abandoned Headquarters of the NDDC in Port Harcourt, the completion of the Police SPU barracks and armoury, the completion of 1050 bed space hostel in the University of Uyo, the construction and commissioning of over 70 roads in the Niger Delta Region, among others.
Akpabio comes to the table with a PanNigerian disposition where he sees no ethnic, or religious barriers before dealing with them. He is loved and accepted in the North, East, South and West because of his deliberate desire for the unity of the country.
Akpabio brings to the table stability for development. He will not lead a rubber stamp Senate; however, he and his colleagues would be prepared to rubber stamp whatever Nigerians want.
Supporting Akpabio therefore, for the position of the President of the 10th Senate, is a decision that would further unite this country, and promote peace, and unity, which are major ingredients for national development.
Akpabio is a natural bridge-builder and he has all that is required to pilot the affairs of the Senate and by extension the National Assembly.
NPF Extols Akpabio
On why Akpabio stands out among other aspirants, leading politicians in Northern Nigeria under the umbrella of the Northern People Forum (NPF), described the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, as “a patriot and a man of great personal charm.”
Speaking on behalf of the forum, the Leader, Alhaji Gambo Aminu, in a news conference held yesterday in Kano said, “Senator Godswill Akpabio is a man of impeccable credentials and reputation, an excellent organizer, the embodiment of good temper and affability.
“He will renew the spirit of patriotism in Nigeria, consider the public needs and opinions, provide stability in the Senate and institute massive amounts of change in the country.”
The key players in the politics of the North-West, North-East and North-Central spoke about Akpabio in a more positive and trustworthy light.
They praised the former Senate Minority leader to high heavens for his sterling leadership qualities, devotion to service to the people and the fatherland, commitment to national unity, social stability and economic development.
“Senator Godswill Akpabio will be overwhelmingly elected. He will organise a more effective Senate and support the executive to lead the nation out of its dark predicament.
“Northerners are more disposed to Akpabio because of his antecedents,” said Aminu.
Particularly, the notable politicians at the conference hailed Akpabio for constantly displaying an amazing amount of courage, making an impact on mankind and giving his best for the good of the people.
They described him as “a beacon of hope and inspiration to the generality of our people. It was his courage, stamina and persistence that led the way to the ruling party’s great performance in the South-South zone.”
The statement emphasized hard work, integrity, efficiency, dignity and discipline.
The northern politicians applauded Akpabio for enhancing the political empowerment of women and youths, carrying out the business of governance in an open, participatory and transparent atmosphere and improving the standard of living of the people.
The statement also underscored Akpabio’s competence, divine grace, intellectual capacity, vision, organizational skills and commitment to the greatness of Nigeria, and ability to perceive reality and deal with it accordingly, while noting that the dream of a greater Senate will be realised with an Akpabio Presidency.
The leaders extolled the former Akwa Ibom State governor for his resounding achievements in education, health, agriculture, industry, public works, transport, poverty alleviation and other sectors of service delivery.
They also acknowledged Akpabio’s positive contribution to peace and development in the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.