14th June, 2023
By Naomi Sharang
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has described the 63 senators who voted for Godwill Akpabio to emerge as Senate President on Tuesday as true patriots who stood for equity, fairness and justice.
PANDEF said this in its congratulatory message to Akpabio on his emergence as the President of the Senate of the 10th National Assembly on Tuesday.
Akapabio defeated former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari to emerge Senate President on Tuesday.
PANDEF, in the statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Ken Robinson said this was because the emergence of Akpabio provided some degree of balance in the national government.
The Forum derided what it called an imperious attempt by some groups and individuals to foist `an all-Muslim’ leadership on the country, as not only unfortunate but also incendiary’.
It also stated: “The relevancy of `power balance’ to national order at this time of our democratic experience and existence as a nation cannot be overstated.
“The 63 senators who voted for Akpabio’s emergence as Senate President are true patriots who stood for equity, fairness and justice.
“We salute their courage and statesmanship in putting Nigeria’s unity and stability before parochial interests.
“We thank President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for their firm resolve on the zoning of the Senate presidency to the South-South and for following through on it.
“PANDEF is confident that Godswill Akpabio with his wealth of experience and knowledge of the dynamics of the polity, will provide the desired leadership and candor in directing the affairs of the Senate and indeed the National Assembly to the utmost benefit of the people of Nigeria.
“PANDEF further restates its commitment to the promotion of peace, unity and sustainable development in the Niger Delta region and the nation as a whole”. (NAN)