UK-Based Nigerian Professionals Call on Senators-Elect to Follow Umahi’s Lead and Support Akpabio for Senate Presidency
The Association of Nigerian Professionals in the United Kingdom (UK) has urged senators-elect who are still vying for the seat of the Senate President to take inspiration from Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State and throw their support behind Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Umahi, who is also a senator-elect, along with two other colleagues who were eyeing the Senate presidency, decided to step down in favor of Senator Akpabio.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has already allocated the positions within the Senate, with the Senate presidency going to Akpabio from Akwa Ibom, the deputy senate presidency to Baraus Jibrin from Kano, the House of Representatives Speaker to Abass Tajudeen from Kaduna, and the Deputy Speaker to Benjamin Kalu.
The Association of Nigerian Professionals hopes that senators-elect will take heed of Umahi’s example and support Akpabio’s bid for the Senate presidency, contributing to a smooth transition of leadership in the National Assembly.
Following criticisms of the party’s zoning arrangement by some APC governors, senators, and members-elect, the group of Nigerian professionals based in the UK issued a statement expressing their support for the party’s zoning resolution. The statement, signed by the group’s coordinator, Engr. Innocent Udoidiong, and protem secretary, Mr. Kingsley Omolu, came after an emergency meeting focused on the welfare of Nigerians in the UK. The group urged relevant stakeholders to back the zoning resolution, stating that the appointed individuals for the positions possess the necessary pedigree, competence, and a proven track record of achievements to fulfill their mandates. They also called upon other aspirants to follow the example set by Governor Dave Umahi and those who have already stepped down for Senator Akpabio, highlighting that his selection as the party’s consensus aspirant was carefully considered.
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