‘A bridge builder’ — northern coalition asks APC to nominate Akpabio for senate president

The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the north has asked the All Progressives Congress (APC) to zone the position of the next president of the senate to the south-south.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Danjuma Muhammad, the coalition’s convener, said they want Godswill Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom state, for the position because he is a “bridge builder”.

Muhammad said Akpabio, as chairman of the national assembly, would ensure a harmonious working relationship between the executive and the legislature.

“Our decision to endorse and support Senator Godswill Akpabio for the coveted office of the senate president was motivated by the patriotic desire with so much love he has demonstrated toward our region as a bridge builder through synergies of social relationship and peaceful coexistence,” he said.

“Also, his zeal to ensure a smooth and amicable working relationship between the executive and the legislative arms of government due to his wealth of experience in administrative and legislative management.

“The national assembly being the engine room of democratic governance requires a man of positive action and uncommon leadership ability like distinguished senator Godswill Akpabio as its chairman.

“From his antecedents and accomplishments, distinguished senator Godswill Akpabio possesses the requisite quality of leadership and innate ability to lead the next national assembly to successful deliberations (without crises or fracas) to surmount the monumental challenges confronting the nation.

“To this end, our various organisations have unanimously decided to formally and interpersonally appeal to individual members and senators-elect, on the need to support distinguished senator Godswill Akpabio as the next senate president and chairman of the joint assembly.”