By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
South South Support Group (SSSG), a political pressure group has said the former Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Godswill Akpabio is most qualified to lead the 10th National Assembly, urging the senator elect to give him maximum support.
Briefing journàlists yesterday in Abuja, Convener of the group, Peter Ikpen Ilefa said election has come and gone, hence need to spread political offices across the geographical zones in the country to build an all inclusive administration where every segment will have a stake by embracing the principles of equity, national solidarity, fairplay and justice.
He said Nigeria’s political arrangements in the recent past have not favoured the South-South geopolitical zone, particularly as it concerns the Senate Presidency, a reason for which they are requesting other zones to support the endorsement of Senator Godswill Obot Akabio by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The group said “In the South-South region, we have the presence of the APC more than every other place in Southern Nigeria apart from South West and the 2023 general elections points to this notorious fact. The results from the South-South region formed integral part of the victory the All Progressives Congress, APC is enjoying today and we however appreciate the endorsement of the Uncommon Senator for the 10th Senate Presidency.
“In Delta State for instance, the APC produced two Senators ditto Edo State, Cross River and one from Akwa Ibom State. This is in addition to a large number of members of House of Representatives under the fold of the umbrella party.
“In view of the above analysis, we request that all sons and daughters first and foremost of the Niger Delta region queues behind our illustrious son without necessarily playing the pull him down politics which is detrimental to collective progress and development.”
While pointing out that other zones in the south South have had their fare share in the allocation of political offices, especially the office of Senate President, SSSG said it was only the late Senator Joseph Wayas, who held forth in the second Republic, after which the region has not gotten to that exalted office again.
It said South East has had the opportunity of producing 8 Senate Presidents, most of whom were during the regime of Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and has sufficiently gone round the five southeastern states.
“We have stopped to be onlookers in the politics of Nigeria and without sounding immodest, the Senate presidency for all intents and purposes have been graciously zoned to our region and ultimately pinned down to our Uncommon Senator who is an agent of change and accelerated development in the Niger Delta region.
“It is of note too that the South East clamour for the Presidency of Nigeria and the 2023 presidential election afforded them the opportunity to make a good showing at the polls of which they are still in the clamour for that and not the Senate presidency.”
