TheCable

The Good Governance Support group for GOA (GGSGOA), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), says Godswill Akpabio, a former minister of Niger Delta affairs, is the best candidate for senate president.

Akpabio, a former senate minority leader, was nominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to be upper legislative chamber’s presiding officer.

Jibrin Barau, senator representing Kano north, was nominated to be deputy senate president.

In a communique released after an extraordinary board meeting on Saturday, John Harry, the group’s national coordinator, said Akpabio has experience in formulation of policy.

“Akpabio is roundly experienced, competent and qualified for the position, having served variously as minority leader in the 8th senate, minister of the federal republic, governor of Akwa Ibom state (2007-2015) and commissioner in Akwa Ibom state,” Harry said.

“The 10th senate stands to gain from the vast experience of senator Akpabio in public service, administration and policy formulation.”

The coordinator commended the leadership of the APC for zoning the country’s number three position to south-south geopolitical zone.

Some national assembly members-elect nursing ambitions to be presiding officers have kicked against the zoning arrangement.

On Monday, Abdulaziz Yari, a former governor of Zamfara, said he is still in the race to be senate president.