Sunday Aborisade in Abuja
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, weekend, said the South-south geopolitical zone produced the highest number of votes to elect President Bola Tinubu among the three zones in Southern Nigeria, and as such was confident that the zone would produces All Progressives Congress (APC) governors across the zone.
Akpabio, who stated this when APC leaders in the zone paid him a courtesy visit, however, vowed that region would return Tinubu for second term, even as urged Nigerians to exercise patience with the current administration, and not lose hope.
He said the APC would ensure that the South-South were governed by the governors elected under its platform by the time the 2027 elections was held.
“Akwa Ibom was able to deliver almost 800,000 votes. The votes from Akwa Ibom alone for the APC in the presidential election was more than the total votes from the five states of the South East.
“When David Leon contested in Bayelsa State, he won resoundingly but he was not sworn in, that happened a day before swearing-in and even this last one that Timipre Sylva contested, we also did very well and we are now in court. So, I cannot comment on that.
“That shows you the strength of the APC in the region and even when the Peoples Democratic Party is the ruling party in Rivers State, we were able to win Rivers State. Data cannot lie.
“I want to say that with that giant step now that we have a senate President, I don’t see any reason why the entirety of the South South region will not become APC.
“The only way we can pay back the national leader of our party, the only way we can show the president to standing by us in the South-south to produce a Senate President after 45 years is for us to make sure that in 2027, we will give him and the entire APC resounding victory in the six states of the South-south region.
“We are steadily moving on, Cross Rivers State is 100 per cent APC. Here and there some people will emerge either in the Senate or the reps and the House of Assembly but in the governorship and government of the state is totally APC.
“Akwa Ibom has the Senate President, so for you have members of the House of Representatives, it shows that things are about to happen.
“For you to have won the presidential election in Rivers State where the Zonal chairman comes from it means things are beginning to happen and even winning in 2019 the Bayelsa State except for technical issues in the court shows clearly that APC has come to stay in the entire South South.
“in Edo State, the APC governor took Government House into another party and so election is coming next year, as we expect the chairman to double his effort with all of us included in the campaign and ensure we get back what belongs to us.
“On our part, we are working across party lines to support President Tinubu, all the senators of the South-south are determined to give him support so that he can succeed irrespective of party affiliation and that is a good sign.”
In another development, Akpabio, has urged Nigerians to keep hope of better days ahead, notwithstanding the current economic challenges they are facing.
Akpabio gave the admonition at the Carol Service jointly organised by the Nigeria Television Authority, the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and the Voice of Nigeria in Abuja.
The event also had in attendance, a former military head of state, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.), federal lawmakers and top government functionaries.
He urged Nigerians to reflect upon the theme of the Carol Service, “Jesus Our Hope,” and embrace His love and grace, saying, “Christmas is a time when hope fills the air, when merriment and goodwill permeate our hearts.
“Yet, amidst the glittering lights and festive cheer, it is essential to remember the reason for this season — the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. In a world grappling with uncertainty, strife, and challenges, Jesus remains the beacon of hope, offering solace and assurance to all who seek Him.”
