Akpabio-Barau Joint Ticket Gains Support Ahead Of Assembly Inauguration
As the inauguration of the next assembly draws near, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the former governor of Akwa Ibom State, and Senator Barau Jibrin have garnered significant support with 61 signatures. Meanwhile, former Zamfara State governor Abdulaziz Yari, another contender, remains determined to contest for the Senate presidency of the 10th assembly, scheduled to be inaugurated on June 13.
A prominent senator leading the Akpabio/Barau camp revealed that the 61 signatures were obtained from senators-elect across party lines. Daily Trust Saturday reported that Akpabio and Barau are among the nine contenders vying for the Senate presidency in the upcoming assembly.
Sources further disclosed that one of the frontrunners, Senator Ali Ndume, was requested by the president-elect to withdraw his ambition and support the Akpabio/Barau ticket, to which Ndume reportedly agreed.
“The President-elect summoned Ndume and asked him to step down for Akpabio in the interest of national cohesion, fairness, and religious balance, and he obliged,” the senator stated.
“He also insisted that Ndume should be at the forefront of delivering Akpabio as the next Senate president. That’s how we began collecting signatures.”
The lawmaker added that they are still engaging in consultations, negotiations, and gathering signatures, aiming to secure a total of 70 before the inauguration.
However, efforts to reach Senator Ali Ndume for comment were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls or messages from the reporter.
Another source mentioned that their target is to achieve a consensus by convincing senators to join the Akpabio/Barau ticket, as advocated by the president-elect.
