Essential Ndubuisi
Former Nigerian Senator Godswill Akpabio has reportedly dropped his bid for Senate President in the upcoming 10th National Assembly. Instead, he is said to be pursuing a ministerial appointment in the incoming government of President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Akpabio, a former Minority Leader of the Senate and immediate past minister of Niger Delta Affairs, resigned from his post to contest the presidential primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) last year. However, he withdrew his candidacy and threw his support behind Tinubu, who later went on to win the party’s ticket and the presidential election.
According to sources within the APC, Akpabio’s decision to abandon his Senate presidential bid was influenced by the party’s decision to zone the position to the South East region. The former Akwa-Ibom State Governor is now said to be seeking reappointment to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, where he previously served, or the Ministry of Petroleum, where he reportedly has vested interests.
Tinubu is set to be inaugurated as president on May 29, 2023, and is required by law to form his cabinet within 60 days of assuming office. Although some senators have publicly declared their intention to run for Senate President, Akpabio’s decision to drop out of the race leaves the field open to contenders such as former Governor of Abia State Orji Uzor Kalu, Senators Jibrin Barau, Sani Musa, and Ali Ndume, as well as former Governor of Zamfara State Abdulaziz Yari, outgoing Governor of Ebonyi State David Umahi, and former Governor of Edo State Adams Oshiomhole.
