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By Joe Effiong, Uyo
Apex Annang socio-cultural organization, Afe Annang, has thrown its weight behind one of its prominent sons, Senator Godswill Akpabio, appealing to President-elect. Bola Tinubu and senators- elect to the 10th senate to support and elect him as the next senate president.
In its executive meeting held at Afe Secretariat, Ebibit Afaha Obong, in Abak LGA of Akwa Ibom State, the group described Akpabio as eminently qualified in terms of zoning, experience in governance, national and international connections, networking and past political performance records for the job.
In a statement signed by Itai Afe Annang, His Majesty Blaise Udofia Awakama, and national publicity secretary, Sunny Udom, the organisation said Akpabio’s election triumph in the February 25 poll, was in the understanding of Annang people and entire Akwa Ibom State, a clear sent-forth mandate for him to engage his colleagues for support for the senate presidency.
“As far as zoning is concerned the South South stands out as the zone to beat as no senate president has ever been produced by the zone since after the late Senator Joseph Wayas left the office in 1983, about 40 years ago.
“If it is considered that our sister zone, the South-East has produced five senate presidents (one from each of its five states) in an unbroken back-to-back stream of 16 years in this Fourth Republic alone, all with the support of the South South, then the South East should take this as a payback period to support the South South for the position.
“Therefore, as the only ranking APC Senator, who also is former senate minority leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, also a son in-law to the South-East should be trusted to carry the South East and other geo-political zones along as senate president. The president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu should in his famed kind heartedness reciprocate Senator Akpabio’s goodwill and foresight as he was the first co-aspirant to step down for him causing the bandwagon effect for others to step down and ensure his victory at the primaries at Eagles Square, Abuja in May, 2022.n In addition, Senator Akpabio’s sweeping victory on February 25, 2023 also ensured that the president-elect gained 33m per cent votes which is more than the constitutional requirement of 25 per cent in Akwa Ibom State.”
Afe Annang also appealed for the need for the balancing of the Muslim/Muslim ticket of the APC with a Akpabio, a Christian as senate president for national unity, cohesion and religious inclusion.
“Akpabio therefore fits squarely into this arrangement and should be supported by all well-meaning members of the 10th senate,” Afe Annang said.
