By Ochiaka Ugwu
A Non- Governmental Organization (NGO), Concerns Citizens for Democracy and Development Initiative had thrown its weight behind the aspiration of former Governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Sen. Godswill Obot Akpabio as the Senate President of the 10th National Assembly.
The group, in a press statement released in Abuja Thursday by its facilitators, which include: Ubong Nelson Ikie, Hosanna Abel, Obong Innocent Ekpoumoh, Francis Eyo, Abdulfatai Ibrahim and Barr Dominic Etim noted that Akpabio’s Senate Presidency would serve as a channel to resolve all lingering issues and restore confidence in the legislative arm of government.
According to the statement, “With Akpabio at the helm of the affairs of the National Assembly as the Senate President, be assured that his intellectual wherewithal will make us compete in the comity of nations.
“Openness, transparency, integrity, inclusiveness and purposeful leadership will be the order of the day when he is elected as the President of the Senate.
“As a way of promoting our diversity, Senator Akpabio, as a true epitome of National Unity and integration, if elected as Senate President will religiously be committed to the true spirit of National Unity and integration, as well as promoting African solidarity and other core mandate, with his other colleagues at the regional level
“With Senator Akpabio as Senate President the clamoring issues of the affirmative action on 35% women inclusion in politics and governance shall be given top priority, as well as laws that will protect the vulnerable will be taken care of.
“The issue of girl child molestation and all forms of harmful practices against the girl child shall be looked into under the leadership of Senator Akpabio as the senate president geared towards the attainment of a just an egalitarian society in the Nigerian State.
“Akpabio as a former speaker at the university Student Union Parliament during his university days is much abreast with the challenges that has bewildered students at all levels , this he can bring to bear by resolving government, lecturers and students incessant acrimony which has enveloped our educational sector over the years..
“It is in the above submission that we are urging Nigerians both at home and in the Diaspora to engage their elected legislators to elect Senator Godswill Akpabio in becoming the Senator President and the chairman of the National Assembly of the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria and we won’t regret”, the statement concluded.
