‘Uncommon senate president’ – group passes vote of confidence in Akpabio

The Citizens Network for Peace and Development in Nigeria (CNPDN), a support group of former President Goodluck Jonathan, says Senate President Godswill Akpabio is a blessing to Nigeria.

In a statement on Thursday, Francis Wainwei, executive director of the group, said critics should be factual and constructive in their criticisms of Akpabio.

Wainwei advised Anabs Sara-Igbe, the former national publicity secretary of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), to apologise to the senate president for making reckless statements against him.

“We reaffirm our faith in the competence and transformational leadership of His Excellency, Sen. Godswill Akpabio,” the statement reads.

“We declare that Sen. Akpabio is a blessing to Nigeria and the Niger Delta region, and therefore, we are calling on all his critics to be factual, constructive, and patriotic.

“This call is premised on the fact that there is the emergence of a new trend of frivolous criticisms orchestrated to tarnish the image of the Senate President and reduce his popularity, especially in the Niger Delta region.

“And the majority of the said criticisms against him are heavily laced with bitterness and negative political sentiments.

“We are, therefore, calling on all such critics to eschew bitterness and political sentiments while expressing their opinions concerning the leadership trajectory of His Excellency, Sen. Godswill Akpabio.

“We are also using this medium to call on Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe to do an objective analysis and thorough research on the tenure of Akpabio as minister of Niger Delta Affairs to enable him to arrive at a more accurate and informed account of events within the period.

“Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe should thereafter render an unreserved apology to the Senate President for making such unfounded, spurious, malicious, and reckless statements against him.

“We hereby totally condemn such malicious and fabricated falsehood targeted at pulling down our dear, uncommon Senate President, His Excellency, Sen. Godswill Akpabio.

“We urge all those that are involved in such distasteful and nefarious activities to desist forthwith from such activities and turn a new leaf.”