Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has endorsed the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Goodswill Akpabio, and Senator Barau Jibrin as the President and Deputy President of the 10th Senate, respectively.
Sanwo-Olu said he aligned himself with All Progressives Congress (APC) zoning decision, having read the legislative agenda being pushed forward by the Akpabio-led team to raise the bar of lawmaking and readiness to collaborate with the incoming administration of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu.
The governor made this known when he received the members of the Stability Group rooting for the emergence of Akpabio and Jibrin as the National Assembly leaders at a consultative visit at the State House in Marina, Lagos State, on Sunday, May 14.
The senators-elect’s visit to the governor came a day after members-elect for the House of Representatives visited Sanwo-Olu for consultation.
Sanwo-Olu said the party nomination process to pave the way for election of senate leadership was in order, stressing that Akpabio’s team possessed the political credentials and leadership qualities to bring about uncommon transformation in Nigeria
He urged the senate leadership nominees to make purposeful legislations as their priority, while maintaining harmonious working relationships with other arms of the government with compromising the red chamber’s independence.
He said: “Having discussed extensively and listened to all the plans and agenda presented by Stability Group led by Senator Akpabio, I believe it is proper and appropriate that we, in Lagos, give them our official endorsement.
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“This is a project for the stability of the country, which will benefit Nigerians, especially the people who elected these distinguished lawmakers-elect.
“They are committed to working harmoniously with the executive and this will bring about a win-win for all our citizens and for democracy.
“We are encouraging other lawmakers-elect who are yet to be on this team to fall in line. I will also appeal to the Stability Group to continue their consultation and collaboration, and not to take anyone for granted.
“They have personally assured me that they will make the senate leadership as inclusive as possible.
“The diversity they are preaching is reflected in the number of the senators-elect on the team; it is not one party. The membership cuts across all the parties that are represented in the National Assembly.
“I believe the incoming 10th National Assembly will be about great possibilities and shaping new course for the nation.
“Given the outstanding profile and experience Senator Akpabio and his team are bringing to the table, I believe there will be new standards and new legislative records will break.
“I will only urge the incoming Senate leadership to surpass whatever achievements recorded by the 9th Senate,” Governor Sanwo-Olu said.
On his part, Akpabio, a former Senate minority leader representing Akwa Ibom North-West, described Tinubu as “God’s own choice” for the country’s leadership, saying the incoming administration required the support of dynamic legislative leadership to work together in order to achieve promises made to Nigerians.
The former governor of Akwa Ibom State pledged he would deploy multi-faceted, multi-dimensional and national approach to lawmaking if he is elected Senate President.
He said the Senate under his leadership would have a complete control over its affairs without being confrontational with the executive.
Akpabio said he and his deputy would work with Tinubu’s administration to make the country better and bring legislations that will support development.
He, however, urged Sanwo-Olu to reach out to his colleagues (governors) on behalf of the group in order to pave the way for smooth legislative transition in the National Assembly.
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