Sola POPOOLA
The Southerm Women Forum(SWF) has thrown its weight behind the aspiration of the former Minister of the Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio to become the Senate President of the 10th National Assembly .
A statement by the SWF’s President , Dr Hellen Taiwo-Adebakin said Senator Akpabio possesses best credentials amongst other contenders to the office going by his records as two term governor, Minister and Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The group described Akpabio as a patriotic Nigerian, an astute politician ,a bridge builder, a loyal and committed partyman , a fantastic manager of men and resources who is always ready to give his best for the peace and progress of his father land.
The women group disclosed that it had embarked on an aggressive mobilisation for success of the Akpabio’s stability Project ahead of the Tuesday’s inauguration.
The forum thanked the leadership of his party and by extension the Presidency for choosing Akpabio as their consensus candidate ,maintaining that “Akpabio’s aspiration represents peace, progress and above the nation’s stability.
The statement said: “Akpabio’s tenure as the state chief executive brought about the transformation of the state in an unprecedented fashion,His sterling performance earned him the appellation; The Uncommon Transformer.
“It is on record that Akpabio built the best Stadium in West Africa; which was later christened the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium by the state House of Assembly in recognition of his uncommon achievements in the state.
“In the Senate as its Minority leader, Akpabio demonstrated high level of patriotism on his handling of government issues with the opposition. Those who expected him to play blind opposition politics were disappointed with his style of leadership. He was able to balance his role as the leader of opposition and the need to support everything that would be of benefit to Nigerians brought to the floor of the Senate by the ruling party.
As the Minister of the Niger Delta Ministry, Akpabio bequeathed to the region newly-completed 13 and 8-storey buildings as the NDDC headquarters, completed and set for commissioning, 52 projects in the Nine Niger Delta States. Over 77 roads were commissioned in the region,
Among them were the Police SPU Quarters in Port Harcourt. The over 1000 bed space built by the commission for the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State .
The forum ,therefore urged both the returning and incoming lawmakers, particularly from the southern part of the country to queue behind Akpabio’s ambition and ensure that he emerge as the 10th Senate President.
” We are confident that the deal is almost done and the task almost accomplished going by the huge supports and endorsements from critical stakeholders from across the length and breadth of the country .We wish Senator Godswill Akpabio a resounding success ,as we prepare to join him at his inauguration on Tuesday ” the statement reads .
SWF is a platform for eminent female gender and high profile female politicians (serving and former ) from the Southern part of the country ,that’s, the SouthWest, SouthSouth & SouthEast regions of Nigeria
The forum is set up to foster unity ,promote ,celebrate and push for greater representation of women in leadership positions across party line .