72 ex-senators endorse Akpabio for senate president

Seventy-two non-serving senators have endorsed Godswill Akpabio, a former minister of Niger Delta affairs, as president of the 10th senate.

Though Akpabio has not formally declared his intention to run, he has received support from some quarters of the All Progressives Congress for the position.

Recall that last week, Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, said the former governor of Akwa Ibom, would be the next senate president.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Basheer Lado, a former senator representing Kano central and convener of the group, said in the spirit of fairness and equity, the number three position should be zoned to the south-south geo-political zone and given to Akpabio.

Lado said Barau Jibrin, senator representing Kano north, – a contender for the senate president position – should be given the deputy senate president position.

He said, “We, in the spirit of equity, fairness, political expediency 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 the hierarchy of our current democratic dispensation. This position carries considerable weight in discharging vital constitutional responsibilities and 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.”

The convener said a diverse and united legislative leadership is critical to good governance.

Here is the list of the senators;

Ben Ayade
George Akume
Basheer Lado
Rilwan Akanbi
Barnabas Gemade​​​​
Grace Bent
Binta Masi Garba
Ayogu Eze
Andy Uba
Ibrahim Ida
Olorunnimbe Mamora​​
Anthony Adeniyi​​​
Ganiyu Solomon​​​
Gbenga Obadara​​​
Gbenga Kaka​​​
Musiliu Obanikoro​​​
Arise Ayo​​​​
Felix Kolawole Bajomo​​
Hassain Mudashiru​​​
Domingo Obende​​​
Wilson Ake​​​​
Ita Enang​​​​
Heineken Lokpobiri​​
Clever Ikisikpo
Ita Giwa
Ibrahim Musa​​​
Alex Kadiri​​​​
Ocheja Emma Dangana
Jibriu Wowo
Isa Maina
Mohammed Ohiare​​
Abubakar Sodangi
Joseph Akaagerger​​
Jack Tilley Gyado​​​
Abubakar Tutare​​​
Bello Tukur​​​​
Ahmed Barata​​​​
Abba Aji​​​​​
Mohammed A. Mohammed​​
Umar Idris​​​​​
Adamu Talba​​​​
Sidi Ali​​​​​
Timothy Adudu​​​​
Ishaq Adebayo Salman​​​
Akin Odunsi​​​​​
Seye Ogunlewe​​​​​
Fatima Raji Rasaki​​​
Lanre Tejuoso​​​​
Nkechi Nwaogu​​​​
Margery Chuba Okadigbo
Mohammed Saleh​​​
Sani Kanba​​​​​
Abubakar Abdullahi Naamo​​
Danladi Sankara
Mohammed Ibrahim​
Sola Adeyeye
Anthony Agbo​​​
Ikechukwu Obior
Chris Adighije​​​
Emma Anosike​​​​
Jalo Zarami
Alkali Jajere
Oladipo Odujinrin
Mohammed Alkali
Sunday Ogbuoji
Abu Ibrahim
Bello Maitama
Saddiq Yar’adua
Jide Omoworare
Anthony Manzo
Aminu Inuwa
Magnus Abeh