Godswill Akpabio, popularly known as Senator Akpabio, has been a notable politician in Nigeria for over a decade now. He has held several positions in government, including serving as the Akwa Ibom State Governor and a Senator representing Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District before his appointment as Minister of Niger Delta affair. In recent times, he intends to contest for the position of the Senate President. However, this move has been met with widespread criticism amongst the Nigerian populace. In this article, i will list why Godswill Akpabio cannot be the Senate President of Nigeria.
Firstly, Senator Akpabio is not a popular choice amongst Nigerians. His history of corruption allegations is well known, EFCC is currently investigating Akpabio over corruption and he has not done much to address these allegations. Corruption is a pervasive issue in Nigeria, and the last thing Nigerians need is a Senate President with questionable integrity. Nigeria needs a leader who is honest, transparent, and can uphold the constitution of the country.
Secondly, Senator Akpabio has a questionable loyalty to his party, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He has been known to switch parties before and working against the party if their camp didn’t get what they want, and this raises concerns about his commitment to the party and the country. Nigeria needs a Senate President who is committed to promoting the interests of the country and not just their personal interests or those of their party.
Thirdly, Senator Akpabio does not have the required legislative experience to be the Senate President. The Senate President is expected to be knowledgeable about the workings of the legislature and have experience in lawmaking. While Senator Akpabio has served as a senator, he has not distinguished himself in any way as a legislator. Nigeria needs a Senate President with a strong record of legislative experience, leadership, and accomplishment.
Lastly, Senator Akpabio’s candidacy for the Senate President position goes against the principle of equity and fairness. Nigeria is a diverse country, with different regions and ethnic groups. It is important that the leadership of the country reflects this diversity.
In conclusion, Senator Godswill Akpabio cannot be the Senate President of Nigeria because of his questionable integrity, questionable loyalty, lack of legislative experience, and the need for equity and fairness in leadership. Nigeria needs a Senate President who will protect the interests of the country and its citizens, promote legislative excellence, and respect the diversity of the Nigerian people.
By Prince Raf Jimoh Omogbai