Senate presidency: Oyebanji, senators-elect declare support for Akpabio

Governor Biodun Oyebanji says Ekiti is committed to a united and formidable 10th National Assembly as well the decision of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on zoning of Senate President position to the South-South.

The Governor made the declaration in Abuja while hosting Senator Godswill Akpabio alongside some Senators-elect.

The meeting also had in attendance elected senators from Ekiti, Opeyemi Bamidele, Yemi Adaramodu and Cyril Fasuyi.

Speaking with newsmen after the meeting, Governor Oyebanji said the decision of the National Working Committee of the APC on leadership of the 10th National Assembly remains sacrosanct.

Governor Oyebanji, who described Senator Akpabio as the right man for the seat, said all the Senators-elect and leaders of the party from Ekiti have pitched their tents to ensure his emergence as the next Senate President.

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According to him, “In Ekiti State, we are committed to a united National Assembly and we are also committed to the decision of the National Working Committee of the APC with respect to the zoning and you can attest to the fact that all the Senators are here with me just to have dinner with Akpabio.

“We are supporting his aspiration as directed by the national body of the party. We are in this together, we are not only supporting, we will identify with him publicly and that is what I have done”.

The governor stated further “All Ekiti senators and the leaders, all the former Governors we are in the same boat. We respect the sanctity of the party and we appeal to all contenders to also follow the advice of the National Working Committee. It is only when we are united that we can ensure a progressive development of the country.

“Senator Akpabio has been called to serve and he needs all support and we shall give him that,” Governor Oyebanji added.

Also speaking, Senator Akpabio expressed strong belief that the decision of the party’s NWC and support of members of the Senate would aid his quest for the leadership seat, adding that his experience as a former Commissioner, Governor, Minister and Lawmaker also speaks volume.

“I had the opportunity of being a Lawyer for the past 36 years, I have also had the opportunity to serve in the executive, as a commissioner and I also had the opportunity to serve as a Governor for eight years. I have been in the Senate before and I was even a leader in the Senate and the opportunity to serve as a Minister of the Federal Republic, and today I am a Senator-elect and a prospective Senate President by the grace of Almighty God and the decision of the National Working of our party”.