By Daniel Kanu
Godswill Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa-Ibom State, and lawmaker representing Akwa Ibom North West on Tuesday, June 13, emerged as the 10th Senate president after polling 63 votes to defeat his lone challenger, Abdulaziz Yari, former Zamfara State governor, who got 46 votes.
There is no doubt that the scramble for the 10th National Assembly leadership was going to be contentious. Such has been the nature of legislative politics since 1999, but the frenzy that followed the build-up to the election was full of rancour, which was not quite a palatable one.
The attempt by the national leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which conventionally is expected to produce the principal officers, to suggest to its lawmakers and stakeholders the person and region to occupy the positions finally paid off.
There were reactions and push backs that trailed the party’s suggestion, but the party had its way.
Akpabio was the preferred candidate of the party and President Bola Tinubu, so despite all the political arithmetic displayed by Yari, he scaled through.
Political watchers knew that Yari was swimming against the zoning tide as zoning of the office of the president to the South was a done deal for the APC, with the president and the vice president being Muslims.
The party did not take a position on zoning during the presidential election, a situation most observers see as double-standard, a political weapon the party brandishes to mean “fairness” perhaps, when it suits an interest they intend to project .
Critics have argued, for instance, that Femi Gbajabiamila as a speaker came from the same region as the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, why was such consideration ignored? Also, the presidency has gone back to the Southwest after President Olusegun Obasanjo from the Southwest had been president for eight-years without a consideration of the Southeast zone and bearing in mind that the South-South has had their turn.
All the push and shove when critically examined seem to be tilted more towards parochial interests rather than overall interest of Nigeria and Nigerians which ought to be the driving motive. To be clear, Nigerian people are all for inclusivity such that a sense of belonging is felt by all the geo-political regions.
In a diverse, multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation. This is essential, but our political parties have abused the “fairness and justice” label.
As it has been argued at different platforms, perhaps, the best to be done is to have allowed the Senators to decide on who best to lead them looking at the insincerity of purpose of party leadership when it comes to justice and fairness interpretation.
But, be that as it may, Akpabio showed class and the stener stuff he is made off and deserves to be congratulated. But, he must thread with caution and be extra-politically wary if he must leave a laudable legacy behind.
Expectedly, political jobbers , real and fake, are already on the prowl extolling his virtues to high heavens. They are taking advertorials commending his uncommon demonstration of exceptional leadership quality and unwavering dedication to public service throughout his career.
There are challenges and arduous task before Akpabio which he should tackle if the 10th Senate must make meaningful impact.
He needs to ensure that lawmakers work harmoniously and interdependently with the executive and the judicial arms of government without undermining the principles of Separation of Power as enshrined in the constitution.
Many political commentators have counselled that making new laws and reviewing existing ones to meet the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians is key, especially on issues of security and welfare of citizens, job creation, economic and infrastructural development, health care development, business and entrepreneurship development, among other critical matters.
It is expected that he must work assiduously to provide quality leadership with his team and work to amend and review existing tax laws to generate more income, block leakages; ensure transparency through open accountability with full participation of his colleagues.
Also, his leadership must set a timeline for confirmations, passage of bills especially budgets and executive requests and pass the Constituency Development Bill to ensure transparency, equity, fairness, and efficiency.
He must ensure the protection and improvement on the welfare, rights and privileges of National Assembly workers.
A situation where the lawmakers are feeding fat and those providing support services are treated with ignominy must be looked into and redress.
A vibrant, stable, conscientious and sensitive National Assembly will ensure stability, a task ahead of Akpabio, which he must help to make his other colleagues realise.
Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio was born on December 9, 1962. He was educated at Methodist Primary School, Ukana, Essien Udim LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Federal Government College, Port Harcourt, Rivers State; and the University of Calabar, Cross River State, where he obtained a Degree in Law.
He was elected governor in 2007 and was re-elected for a second term in office in 2011.
In 2015, he won the Senate seat of the Akwa Ibom North West (Ikot Ekpene).