Akpabio backed for Senate president by 72 non-serving senators.

As the competition for the 10th Senate presidency becomes “tougher,” Godswill Akpabio, a former minister of Niger Delta affairs, has received the support of 72 non-serving senators.

Akpabio was previously predicted to succeed Abdullahi Ganduje as the next president of the Senate.

On behalf of the group, former Kano Central senator Basheer Lado spoke at a press conference in Abuja on Monday in favor of assigning the position of 10th Senate president to Nigeria’s south-south geopolitical region.

“We, in the spirit of equity, fairness, political expediency and following extensive consultations with stakeholders, hereby express our total support for the zoning of the position of the president of the 10th senate, to the south-south geo-political zone of Nigeria,” he said.

“We also affirm our unfettered support for the position of the president of the 10th Senate who also doubles as the chairman of the national assembly to be conferred on His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON.

He continued by saying that the third position in the hierarchy of our current democratic system, that of senate president, “carries considerable weight in discharging vital constitutional responsibilities and charting the right course for our national development.”

“It is also important that the holder of such a position enjoys the confidence and support of the party leadership and that of his peers as Senator Godswill Akpabio undoubtedly does.

“With this same spirit of fairness, we also affirm our solid support that the position of deputy president of the 10th senate is conceded to distinguished senator Barau I. Jubril, CON, representing Kano north senatorial zone, Kano state.”

Akpabio has not formally announced his intention to run for the presidency despite all the support he has received from some APC members.

The list of the senators here below:

Ben Ayade
George Akume
Basheer Lado
Rilwan Akanbi
Barnabas Gemade​​​​
Grace Bent
Binta Masi Garba
Ayogu Eze
Andy Uba
Ibrahim Ida
Olorunnimbe Mamora​​
Anthony Adeniyi​​​
Ganiyu Solomon​​​
Gbenga Obadara​​​
Gbenga Kaka​​​
Musiliu Obanikoro​​ Arise Ayo​​​​
Felix Kolawole Bajomo​​
Hassain Mudashiru​​​
Domingo Obende​​​
Wilson Ake​​​​
Ita Enang​​​​
Heineken Lokpobiri​​
Clever Ikisikpo
Ita Giwa
Ibrahim Musa​​​
Alex Kadiri​​​​
Ocheja Emma Dangana
Jibriu Wowo
Isa Maina
Mohammed Ohiare​​
Abubakar Sodangi
Joseph Akaagerger​​
Jack Tilley Gyado​​​
Abubakar Tutare​​​
Bello Tukur​​​​
Ahmed Barata​​​​
Abba Aji Mohammed A. Mohammed​​
Umar Idris​​​​​
Adamu Talba​​​​
Sidi Ali​​​​​
Timothy Adudu​​​​
Ishaq Adebayo Salman​​​
Akin Odunsi​​​​​
Seye Ogunlewe​​​​​
Fatima Raji Rasaki​​​
Lanre Tejuoso​​​​
Nkechi Nwaogu​​​​
Margery Chuba Okadigbo
Mohammed Saleh​​​
Sani Kanba​​​​​
Abubakar Abdullahi Naamo​​
Danladi Sankara
Mohammed Ibrahim​
Sola Adeyeye
Anthony Agbo​​​
Ikechukwu Obior
Chris Adighije​​​
Emma Anosike​​​​
Jalo Zarami
Alkali Jajere Oladipo Odujinrin
Mohammed Alkali
Sunday Ogbuoji
Abu Ibrahim
Bello Maitama
Saddiq Yar’adua
Jide Omoworare
Anthony Manzo
Aminu Inuwa
Magnus Abeh