Shettima: Akpabio is very competent — he has capacity to lead senate

Vice-President Kashim Shettima says Godswill Akpabio will make a “very competent” president of the senate.

Shettima spoke at a dinner organised by the Stability Group, Akpabio’s campaign platform, at Transcorp Hilton in Abuja on Saturday.

Last month, the All Progressives Congress (APC) nominated Akpabio for the position of senate president.

The decision created ripples within the party, with Abdulaziz Yari, a former governor of Zamfara, and Orji Uzor Kalu, the chief whip, insisting on vying for the position.

Supporters of Kalu and Yari have described the ruling party’s decision as an imposition while demanding independence of the legislature from the control of the executive.

Addressing the concern, Shettima said Tinubu and APC are backing the former Akwa Ibom governor for senate president because “he is from a very important zone”.

He said their stance is “in conformity with the plurality of our union” as a country.

“Senator Akpabio is very competent, and he has the capacity to lead the 10th national assembly,” the vice-president said.

“At the same time, he is from a very important zone, and he is also a man of Christian faith.

“So, in line with the constitution of our country and conformity with the plurality of our union, the party and, indeed, the president thought it fit to support him.”

Shettima said the APC needs to present itself as a party that embraces diverse religious and ethnic spread.

“My CSO is an Igbo man who had worked with me when I was governor. He has been a dedicated and loyal officer, even in the heat of the Boko Haram attacks in Borno,” he said.

The senate will elect its presiding officers for the 10th assembly on Tuesday.