Former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, has embarked on a strategic mission to garner support from opposition parties for his aspiration to become the Senate President of Nigeria.
Accompanied by Barau Jibrin, the aspirant for Deputy Senate President, Akpabio paid a visit to the headquarters of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Labour Party (LP) on Wednesday in Abuja.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) nominated Akpabio and Jibrin for the positions of Senate President and Deputy Senate President, respectively. Recognizing the significance of cross-party cooperation, Akpabio appealed to the leadership of NNPP and LP for their endorsement.
During the meeting with the NNPP leadership, Akpabio emphasized the inclusivity of the Stability Group, which transcends party affiliations, and highlighted the unprecedented presence of eight political parties in the upcoming 10th National Assembly.
“Membership of the Stability Group cuts across party lines and we are doing extensive consultations,” he said.
“We have never had a situation where we have eight political parties like we are going to have in the 10th national assembly.
“In the house, we are blind to party affiliations, and that’s why we are moving to meet our leaders,” Akpabio stated.
Expressing gratitude for the reception, he acknowledged the ongoing meeting between the NNPP’s national leader, Engr Musa Kwankwaso, and the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, expressing hope for fruitful discussions that would benefit the progress of the nation.
In response, Abba Kawu Ali, the acting NNPP National Chairman, commended Akpabio’s competence and record, assuring him of the party’s support for his aspiration to be the President of the 10th National Assembly.
“We know you are competent. So, we are supporting you based on your record. We will support your ambition to be the President of the 10th National Assembly,” Ali stated.
Following their meeting with the NNPP, Akpabio, and Jibrin proceeded to engage with the leadership of the Labour Party. Akpabio stressed that it was crucial for opposition parties to not only support his bid for Senate Presidency but also extend their support to President-elect Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In response, Julius Abure, the LP National Chairman, acknowledged the rarity of a ruling party accommodating opposition parties, emphasizing that it demonstrated the growth of democracy in the country.
“I want to say very clearly that in most of our engagements with our senators, we haven’t given them any directives. We don’t want to be dictating to them where they should go,” Abure remarked.
Highlighting the need for a vibrant legislature to promote democracy, Abure expressed hope that Akpabio’s leadership would bring about a positive departure from previous experiences.
As Godswill Akpabio continues his consultations and seeks alliances across party lines, the nation watches with anticipation to see how this coalition-building effort will shape the upcoming leadership of the 10th National Assembly.
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