Senate President Godswill Akpabio has cautioned Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against abandoning their people in pursuit of political positions that are not available.
Speaking on Wednesday at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa during the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Akpabio urged the governors to concentrate on completing their eight-year tenure as guaranteed by the constitution.
He said, “For my brothers who are governors, I want you to know that you must not abandon your people.
“I did eight years as a governor. And the constitution says you should do eight years. There’s no need for you to start eyeing another position that is not available.”
Akpabio, who served as governor of Akwa Ibom State from 2007 to 2015, attributed his political success over the past 25 years to his commitment to the people.
“I have a lot of people from one of the states here, but you have to enjoy the truth. Take it from me, I have been in this business for over 25 years, and I always win. And why I always win is because I stand with people. Go and mend your clothes when they are not torn,” he said.
It will be recalled that the Senate, some months ago, amended its rules to make only senators who have served at least eight years, equivalent to two consecutive terms, eligible to contest for the positions of Senate President and Deputy Senate President.
Previous media reports had claimed that Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma, whose tenure will still be running by the time the 11th Senate would be inaugurated, is eyeing the Senate President’s seat.
Uzodimma is reportedly plotting to resign and contest the Senate seat as part of his ambition to succeed Akpabio.
Although he was in the Senate before becoming a governor, under the new rule, any politician who has been out of the National Assembly for eight years, is not qualified to be Senate President.
It was, however, unclear if Akpabio was referring to the Imo governor who was among those who took the podium before the incumbent Senate President spoke at the Presidential Campaign Council inauguration.
