Photo caption:
From left: Hon. Yomi Adamson, National Secretary; Comrade Funmi Ajikobi, Kwara State Coordinator; Alhaji Lateef Bello, National Coordinator; Woman Leader, Hon. Funmi Ige and Alhaji Abdul Rasak Asorire, the North Central Coordinator, all of Asiwaju Shettima Great Minds (ASGM), at a function in Lagos during which members of the group declared their support for Senator Akpabio as the 10th Senate President.
*Cites his economic achievements, among others
By Davids Thomas Abiodun
A socio-political group in Nigeria, Asiwaju Shettima Great Minds (ASGM), has declared its unreserved support for Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio as the 10th Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
While declaring the support, the Asiwaju Shettima Great Minds made reference to numerous economic, infrastructural and socio-political achievements of Akpabio when he was the governor of Akwa-Ibom State and Minister of The Niger Delta Affairs Ministry.
Speaking through its Convener, Hadjia Aolat Oluwatomisin Sule, the group listed some of Akpabio’s achievements. It specifically said: “Starting and completing the Ibom international airport, reported to have the longest runways in Nigeria, formation of free and Compulsory Education, free Medical/Health Care to Children and the Elderly, building an International stadium which was later named after him (Godswill Obot Akpabio International Stadium) by his successor in 2015, payment of 13th month salary to civil servants fittingly dubbed Akpabiomber.”
Recalling his political achievements Aolat Sule said: “Akpabio became governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2007 having defeated 57 other aspirants in the 2006 primaries.
“In 2019, President Buhari appointed him as Minister, Niger Delta Affairs and he ensured that the region remained peaceful while various stakeholders were frequently occupied with ways to move the region forward for its developments.”
Eulogising his person and stating what to expect from him while the 10th Senate lasts, Aolat Sule enthused thus, like Akpabio said: “I will be an uncommon transformer if I am senate president.” So, if elected as the senate president, he has the pedigree to transform Nigeria.
“Akpabio is a result-driven individual, in his speech to the president; he categorically stated that he intends to bring reforms into the Senate, in the ways and manners we do business, to assist the current administration to succeed.
“Therefore, his major intention is to make this (Bola Ahmed Tinubu) administration work speedily to fulfill electoral promises to all Nigerians regardless of political affiliation.”
While tasking Akpabio for the 10th Senate, she said: “He should ensure national assembly work thoroughly in all their engagements; he must also ensure that his colleagues insist on loyalty to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“He must ensure that national challenges are addressed through legislation.”
Speaking in the same vein, she said, “Policies that will empower the youths of this nation should be instituted.
“He should work with President Tinubu to harmonize the economy and ensure its growth in double digit form.
“Akpabio should bring stability and accountability to the Nigeria economy.
“He should harmonize engagement between the executive and legislature to usher Nigeria into a developmental trajectory.”
On unity and peace, Aolat Sule, who described Sen. Godswill Akpabio as a detribalized Nigerian with respects for other people’s religions, further tasked him to “build upon the relative peace that will bridge religion gap in Nigeria and harmonize a united front where Nigerians will consider Nigerians better than religious acrimony.”
“Senator Akpabio is an orator, philanthropist, lawyer and a great leader. With Senator Akpabio (CON) as Senate President of the 10th NASS, Nigerians should expect a Senate President who will serve all Nigerians regardless of party affiliations, tribe, creed, social standing and religion whilst also ensuring that the country generates required revenues to service her debts,” she added.
In her conclusion she said: “He has demonstrated that he’ll be a great Senate President by travelling to all the six geopolitical regions of Nigeria for consultations and supports from great Nigerians (Monarchs, Politicians, Technocrats, Intellectuals and many other reputable leaders).
“He will be a great Senate President and a formidable asset to the new government, God helping him. ”
While speaking recently in Lagos at the occasion deliberately convened to declare support for Akpabio’s 10th senate President candidacy, ASGM National Secretary, Hon. Yomi Adamson, was of the view that “It will be a political masterstroke to cede the Senate president to the oil-rich region which has not produced a Senate president in the political history of Nigeria.”
In another reference the group, through Adamson expressed that “Senator Akpabio’s uncommon leadership trajectory and development stride when he held sway as the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State and his legislative brilliance at the 8th Senate has convincingly placed him in a vantage position to lead the 10th Senate.”
On electioneering reason, ASGM was of the view that for APC to consolidate and score a vital political point in the South-South geopolitical zone,”Sen.Akpabio’s Senate Presidency is the best bet in harnessing the south-south region into the folds of progressive governance of our great party (APC)”.
The National Coordinator of the group, Alhaji Lateef Bello, in his own address, was optimistic that Senator Godswill Akpabio would become the 10th Senate president. He hinged his optimism on what he described as his possession of charisma needed to ensure a better Nigeria through good legislation.
“There is no doubt that Akpabio is the best man for the job of the senate president at the 10th senate. We all know his worth and his level of leadership at the red chamber. He is one of the few people that this country needs in the coming administration,” he stressed.
Bello who described Akpabio as “Jagaban of the Senate”, and called on elected senators in the10th Senate, irrespective of political party affiliations to consider the former governor as their president, adding that this would birth a good time at the upper chamber.
Based on what it called “utmost concern for national cohesion and stability”, the group said it craved the indulgence of elected senators to align with Senator Akpabio to lead the 10th Senate for a prosperous Nigeria.”
Reaching a conclusion ASGM, said: “We hereby declare our full support for Senator Godswill Akpabio, also appeal to all the elected senators under our party (APC) and other parties to support his election as the 10th Senate President of the National Assembly because of his experience, good leadership, team player, broad-mindedness, intellectualism, creativity and developmental nature. The new look of Akwa-Ibom State is a testimony to his credible leadership.”
