Akpabio cautions governors against imposing ‘kneeling boys’ as successors

Godswill Akpabio, senate president, has advised second-term governors to be deliberate in choosing their successors, warning against handing power to unprepared loyalists.

Akpabio gave the advice on Saturday during the commissioning of the first 30 kilometres of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway in the Lekki area of Lagos state.

The event was attended by President Bola Tinubu; Wole Soyinka, nobel laureate; Wale Edun, minister of finance; Dave Umahi, minister of works; Hope Uzodimma, Imo governor; Dapo Abiodun, Ogun governor; Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, and other dignitaries.

Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom state, said outgoing governors must resist the temptation to appoint “sycophants” as successors, noting that such actions often lead to betrayal after they leave office.

“We have a president who has both sight and vision,” Akpabio said.

“And this for me is something I must advise our governors, particularly those of them who are in their second term.

“Do not give power to anybody who is not looking for power. Don’t give power to anybody who is not prepared.

“Don’t go hiding in your heart that this boy is very subservient; he is always kneeling when he is talking to me; his wife is always rolling on the floor. I think I should make this one the governor.

“If you do that, you are giving power to somebody who is not prepared for governance and they will disappoint you. This is where betrayals normally start. I am just trying to give some advice.

“For the progressive governors, I believe that all of you are doing well because you are being led by a man who has both sight and vision.”