FORMER Senator representing Kano Central, Senator Basheer Lado has stated that 72 Ex-Senators himself inclusive endorsed former Akwa Ibom governor, Godswill Akpabio for Senate President as it is democratically the right thing to do.
In an interview with BBC Hausa Service, the former Honourable Federal Commissioner, National Commission For Refugees, Migrants And Internally Displaced Persons, said Akpabio, has not only ‘distinguished himself excellently, but also has passion for Nigeria.’ He acknowledged that other aspirants were also qualified for the seat.
Lado said: “The Senate President is the number three man in the country, we have a President (Southern Muslim) and a Vice President (Northern Muslim) from the same religion. It is only fair to pick a Southern Christian for the Senate President.
“So the 72 of us, former senators took a critical look at those vying for the Senate President seat and concluded that Akpabio is actually the best candidate for the job. Therefore, we decided to make our position known”, he explained.
The former National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) boss added that, Akpabio was governor of Akwa Ibom for eight years, he has been in the Senate for a while too and he has a very good working relationship with his colleagues in the Senate and is a loyal APC stalwart.
“Akpabio is he is versatile and has built political bridges across Nigeria. His passion for Nigeria is topnotch.
It is in this regard that we also picked the Deputy Senate President from the north for balance, and we took another critical look at those most qualified for the Deputy and we settled for Senator Barau Jibrin.
Lado added that Barau is the most ranking Senator-elect from North West and Kano State, adding that he is a 6th termer, who has sponsored bills and motions with unequal legislative experience.
“Barau Jibrin is well experienced and like Akpabio he is a wonderful party man and he is from Kano, a state that has contributed tremendously to the growth of democracy in Nigeria.
“For the leadership of the Senate in the 10th Assembly, I don’t think there will be a paring better than Senator Akpabio and Senator Barau”, he concluded.
