. . . As intrigues, twists take center stage in APC

By JOHN NWOKOCHA, Abuja

Amidst twists, intrigues over the choice of President of the Senate and leader of the 10th National Assembly, 72 Senators who served in the fourth and tenth assembly have thrown their support for Senator Godswill Akpabio from the South-South zone of the country.

The ex-lawmakers cited the spirit of equity, fairness and political expedience as reasons for their choice.

In the same vein, they canvassed support for Senator Barau I. Jubril, CON, representing Kano North Senatorial Zone.

They stressed that the stakes for the positions are high and that a successful transition to a new political dispensation is key in ensuring national unity, cohesion and overall progress as one nation.

They therefore appealed to all other contestants for the positions to withdraw their bids and support them.

According to them, their withdrawal and cooperation will reduce the acrimony that commonly characterises the jostle for power in the National Assembly amongst the geo-political zones.

Although they addressed themselves as “non-serving senators” the former legislators who were in the National Assembly between the second and fourth Republics said they got involved in the choice of who becomes the next president of the Senate to avoid a decision that could affect the progress of the country.

The senators made this known Monday in Abuja.

Convener of the meeting, Senator Basheer Lado, clarifying their position said in a press releases they had “to announce our position with regards to recent developments which will no doubt affect our progress as a nation”.

“At a trying period in our nation’s political history, the National Assembly requires experienced and level headed leaders at the helm of its affairs,” the ex-lawmakers added.

They went on: “We, in the spirit of equity, fairness, political expedience and following extensive consultations with stakeholders, hereby express our total support for the zoning of the position of the President of the 10th Senate, to the South-South geo-political zone of Nigeria.

“We also affirm our unfettered support for the position of the President of the 10th Senate who also doubles as the Chairman of the National Assembly to be conferred on His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON.

“The position of Senate President represents the third position in hierarchy of our current democratic dispensation.

“This position carries considerable weight in discharging vital constitutional responsibilities and for charting the right course for our national development.

“It is also important that the holder of such a position enjoys the confidence and support of the party leadership and that of his peers as Senator Godswill Akpabio undoubtedly does.

“With this same spirit of fairness, we also affirm our solid support that the position of Deputy President of the 10th Senate be conceded to Distinguished Senator Barau I. Jubril, CON, representing Kano North Senatorial Zone, Kano State.”

They maintained that it will go a long way in ensuring a peaceful and smooth take-off of the incoming administration.

The senators include:

Sen. Ben Ayade

Sen. George Akume

Sen. Basheer Lado

Sen. Rilwan Akanbi

Sen. Barnabas GemadeSen. Grace Bent

Sen. Binta Masi Garba Sen. Ayogu Eze

Sen. Andy Uba

Sen. Ibrahim Ida

Sen. Olorunnimbe Mamora

Sen. Anthony Adeniyi

Sen. Ganiyu SolomonSen. Gbenga ObadaraSen. Gbenga KakaSen. Musiliu Obanikoro

Sen. Arise Ayo

Sen. Felix Kolawole Bajomo

Sen. Hassain MudashiruSen. Domingo ObendeSen. Wilson AkeSen. Ita EnangSen. Heineken Lokpobiri

Sen. Clever IkisikpoSen. Ita GiwaSen. Ibrahim MusaSen. Alex KadiriSen. Ocheja Emma Dangana

Sen. Jibriu Wowo

Sen. Isa Maina

Sen. Mohammed OhiareSen. Abubakar Sodangi

Sen. Joseph AkaagergerSen. Jack Tilley GyadoSen. Abubakar TutareSen. Bello Tukur

Sen. Ahmed Barata

Sen. Abba AjiSen. Mohammed A. Mohammed

Sen. Umar Idris

Sen. Adamu Talba

Sen. Sidi Ali

Sen. Timothy Adudu

Sen. Ishaq Adebayo Salman

Sen. Akin Odunsi

Sen. Seye Ogunlewe

Sen. Fatima Raji RasakiSen. Lanre Tejuoso

Sen. Nkechi Nwaogu.Sen. Margery Chuba Okadigbo

Sen. Mohammed SalehSen. Sani Kanba

Sen. Abubakar Abdullahi Naamo

Sen. Danladi Sankara

Sen. Mohammed IbrahimSen. Sola Adeyeye

Sen. Anthony Agbo

Sen. Ikechukwu Obior

Sen. Chris Adighije

Sen. Emma Anosike

Sen. Jalo Zarami.

Sen. Alkali JajereSen. Oladipo Odujinrin

Sen. Mohammed Alkali Sen. Sunday Ogbuoji

Sen. Abu Ibrahim

Sen. Bello Maitama

Sen. Saddiq Yar’adua

Sen. Jide Omoworare

Sen. Anthony Manzo

Sen. Aminu Inuwa

Sen. Magnus Abeh

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