…By Dorcas Funmi for TDPel Media.
Senator Ali Ndume, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and director-general for the Akpabio/Barau Stability Group, has confidently asserted that his candidate, Godswill Akpabio, possesses the necessary support to secure victory in the race for the 10th Senate Presidency.
As the National Assembly witnesses two factions vying for the coveted position, namely the camp led by Senator Akpabio and that led by former governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State, discussions and debates among elected lawmakers have been underway leading up to the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly on June 13.
Claiming Superior Support:
Senator Ndume, who spearheads Akpabio’s camp, expressed their unwavering focus on ensuring their candidate assumes the role of the presiding officer and confidently asserted that they possess the requisite numbers to secure victory.
Dismissing the case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Akpabio as sponsored, he attributed such accusations to a common occurrence where politically exposed individuals face scrutiny during election campaigns.
Drawing a parallel with the allegations faced by President Bola Tinubu during his presidential campaign, Ndume highlighted that they are undeterred by the sponsored groups’ claims against Akpabio, as the appropriate anti-graft agencies are well-equipped to handle such matters.
Clarifying Accusations:
Addressing specific allegations, Senator Ndume pointed out that although accusations suggest corrupt activities occurred under Akpabio’s oversight at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), they have failed to establish any misappropriation of funds during his tenure as governor or as Minister.
Emphasizing that Akpabio was not the accounting officer of the NDDC but rather headed the supervising ministry, Ndume refuted claims of Akpabio’s failure to constitute the NDDC board, highlighting that this responsibility lies with the president of the country.
Concluding his remarks, Ndume asserted the strong presence of numerous Senators aligned with their camp, reinforcing their confidence in Akpabio’s prospects.
In summary, Senator Ali Ndume, leading the Akpabio/Barau Stability Group, expressed unwavering confidence in Godswill Akpabio’s chances of winning the Senate Presidency.
Amidst a divided National Assembly, Ndume dismissed accusations against Akpabio as sponsored and attributed them to common political tactics.
He clarified that the allegations surrounding Akpabio’s tenure at the NDDC do not indicate misappropriation of funds and emphasized that he was not responsible for constituting the board.
With a strong backing from numerous Senators, Ndume’s camp remains resolute in their support for Akpabio’s candidacy.