Ndume, who stated this while speaking on a Channels Television programme, lastnight, said Akpabio may even turn out as the consensus candidate as talks are ongoing to convince other senators, who are still showing strong interest to contest against him.
“When we started, we hit the ground running and in one week, we were able to get endorsement from 60 senators.
“As I am speaking to you, I have 75 senators that have signed the candidature of Senator Akpabio as the next Senate President. Those few former governors of the party who are now senators-elect opposing the candidature of Akpabio does not in any way encroach on the fact that Akpabio already has 75 senators-elect on our side. All advantages are on our side. One, we have the support of the party. Two, we have the support of the president, and three, we have the support of most of the senators, which is most important in this case.
Explaining why Akpabio was endorsed by the APC, Ndume said: “It is about justice; it is about equity; it is about the constitution. it is about a fair Nigeria where equity and justice reign, It is about doing what is right and standing for what is just for this country.
“This country belongs to all of us. We all know what has played out in this country that led to the emergence of the president being a Muslim, the vice president being a Muslim. There is a need to balance the equation.
“Section 14 of the constitution is clear on this. That section says that the country should be run in such a way that no tribe, religion, section of the country will feel marginalised. So, the natural thing to do is to get somebody from the South and particularly from the South-South. And that person happens to be Akpabio.
“This is because he is the most ranking Senator from that area.
“He has the experience and he is from the South-South. That is why I am supporting him.
“Many Nigerians and the Senators-elect, I mean my colleagues, are on our side and by God’s grace, Senator Godswill Akpabio on June 13, will emerge as the Senate President of the 10th National Assembly.”
Ndume, who acknowledged that some APC senators were opposing Akpabio’s ambition, said the party was still talking with them and the tension was dwindling by the day.
He maintained that Akpabio is the candidate to beat.
On whether Tinubu can change his mind on Akpabio, Ndume said: “If Tinubu gives you his word, go and put it in your bag. He will not change it.
“In 2019 when I wanted to contest for the office of the Senate President, I went to Tinubu.
“He told me that he had already committed himself to Ahmad Lawan. And he didn’t change that. Tinubu is a man of his word and if you have been following his kind of politics, you’ll know that once he makes his intentions known, he does not change it’, he said.
On the consensus option, Ndume said: “We are looking at a situation where we will have a consensus that will eventually favour Akpabio.
Ndume said Tinubu does not need a rubber stamped National Assembly.
He said: “He is an experienced legislator, who needs a very vibrant and agile National Assembly this time around.
“This was lacking in the ninth Assembly where the executive will bring a request and they will just endorse without intense interrogation.”
Meanwhile, the National Assembly, has announced that the 10th National Assembly will be inaugurated on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.
This is according to an announcement, signed by the Clerk, Sani Tambawal, on Thursday.
According to the announcement, senators-elect and members-elect of the House of Representatives are to visit the Senate conference room 231 and the House of Representatives conference room 301, respectively, with copies of their code of conduct clearance, certificates of return and valid identity cards for registration on Monday, June 12, at 10:00 am.
“Due to the ongoing renovation of the two chambers, senators-elect and Honourable members-elect are to come along with only one guest for the ceremony, who will be seated at the arcade,” the statement added.
It further added that only senators-elect and members-elect will be given access to the chambers.
