Akpabio Abadons Senate Presidency Ambition, Pursuing Tinubu For ‘Juicy’ Ministerial Position

It strongly appears that Senator Godswill Akpabio, the former governor of Akwa Ibom State, may have abandoned his bid to become Senate President of the 10th National Assembly.

Instead, he is said to be pursuing a ministerial appointment in Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s incoming cabinet, with his sights set on the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs or the Petroleum Resources Ministry.

Akpabio, a former Senate Minority Leader, had resigned as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs in the current administration to contest the presidential primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act of 2022.

Sources indicate that Akpabio has dropped his Senate Presidency ambitions due to the ruling APC’s decision to zone the position to the South-East. The announcement of the zoning arrangements for all presiding and principal offices in both the Senate and the House is expected soon.

Contenders for the position of Senate President include Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, a former Governor of Abia State and current Chief Whip, as well as Senators Jibrin Barau (APC, Kano North), Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), and Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South). Abdulaziz Yari (APC, Zamfara West), the former Governor of Zamfara State, outgoing Governor of Ebonyi State Engr. David Umahi (APC, Ebonyi South), and former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North), are also rumored to be on the list.

Akpabio has instructed his supporters to reduce their media campaign for his Senate Presidency bid to improve his chances of securing a ministerial position in Tinubu’s cabinet. Sources say that he has already begun lobbying Tinubu directly for a ministerial slot.

The source statement reads: “To avoid losing out, Akpabio has since begun reaching out to Bola Tinubu personally and through his allies to return to any of the plum ministries which appears to be more favourable to the former two-time Governor when compared to the Senate President position.

“His chances are very dim, and he knows this, our Party and the President-Elect are committed to forming a Government of National unity and quell restiveness in geo-political zones in the country, beginning with the Southeast by giving them the opportunity to produce the next Senate President.