Kassim Afegbua: Attempts to disrupt Akpabio’s senate presidency bid will fan embers of trouble

Kassim Afegbua, former commissioner of information in Edo state, says Godswill Akpabio deserves to be senate president for his contribution to the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking on Arise TV on Thursday, Afegbua said Akpabio delivered over 30,000 votes to secure the victory of President Bola Tinubu.

He said the south-south geopolitical zone, which is the treasure base of the country, should be supported to produce the next senate president. 

He said the south-east has produced over five senate presidents and should not see the position as an entitlement. 

“The point must be made that if you know that you are actually a full-fledged member of the APC, you will know that it is captured that anybody that is joining the APC at any point in time, they call it equal joiner,” he said. 

“So the idea of you being there for eight years and somebody who is coming now, does not even arise. What is sacrosanct is the contribution you are bringing to help knock this on the part of victory.

“Now, a man who just came into the party, according to your explanation, is contesting right? He was able to deliver over 30,000 votes to the president-elect.

“You that has been in the party, you are not able to deliver 30,000 votes to the president of your party. Who is more relevant?

“So this sense of entitlement must be discountenanced with all seriousness. I’ve said it before, the south-east has produced five senate presidents, I don’t want it to be a matter of entitlement and when they keep talking about tripod arrangement in Nigeria. 

“You went into an election in 2023, the Osita you’re talking about returned as a senator, defeating other candidates, the same election, the same hour, the same time, Osita could not pull the same votes for his presidential candidate.

“So for me, it is about what you bring to the table. This time around the south-south geopolitical zone, the treasure base of the country, the resource base of the country deserves and desires with all emphasis the position of senate president and we support wholeheartedly the choice of Senator Godswill Akpabio as the preferred candidate and he remains the man to date.”

Afegbua added that “anyone who tries to toy with that choice or that recognition by the party will only be fanning the embers of trouble”.