A total of 72 former senators who identified as Non-Serving Senators of the Second to the Fourth Republics have endorsed Godswill Akpabio to be elected President of the 10th Senate.
The convener of the group, Basheer Lado, while addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, also supported the nomination of Barau Jibrin (APC-Kano) to be the Deputy Senate President.
Mr Lado who is a former Senator from Kano Central in the 7th National Assembly said the endorsement of Messrs Akpabio and Jibrin was reached with the consideration of equity, fairness, political expediency, and after lengthy deliberations with stakeholders.
Mr Akpabio is one of the leading aspirants for the Senate presidency in the 10th National Assembly. It is however uncertain how the endorsement of the former senators who don’t have voting rights in the 10th Senate would enhance his chances.
Last week Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state, had dropped his bid and endorsed Mr Akpabio, a former minister of Niger Delta affairs.
Meanwhile in its address, the senators said the National Assembly deserves capable and level-headed leaders with experience to manage its operations especially “at a trying period in our nation’s political history.
“We, in the spirit of equity, fairness, political expedience and following extensive consultations with stakeholders, hereby express our total support for the zoning of the position of the President of the 10th Senate, to the South-South geo-political zone of Nigeria.
“We also affirm our unfettered support for the position of the President of the 10th Senate who also doubles as the Chairman of the National Assembly to be conferred on His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON.
“With this same spirit of fairness, we also affirm our solid support that the position of Deputy President of the 10th Senate be conceded to Distinguished Senator Barau I. Jubril, CON, representing Kano North Senatorial Zone, Kano State.
List of members in support of the group’s position on the 10th National Assembly Leadership
1. Sen. Ben Ayade
2. Sen. George Akume
3. Sen. Basheer Lado
4. Sen. Rilwan Akanbi
5. Sen. Barnabas Gemade
6. Sen. Grace Bent
7. Sen. Binta Masi Garba
8. Sen. Ayogu Eze
9. Sen. Andy Uba
10. Sen. Ibrahim Ida
11. Sen. Olorunnimbe Mamora
12. Sen. Anthony Adeniyi
13. Sen. Ganiyu Solomon
14. Sen. Gbenga Obadara
15. Sen. Gbenga Kaka
16. Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro
17. Sen. Arise Ayo
18. Sen. Felix Kolawole Bajomo
19. Sen. Hassain Mudashiru
20. Sen. Domingo Obende
21. Sen. Wilson Ake
22. Sen. Ita Enang
23. Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri
24. Sen. Clever Ikisikpo
25. Sen. Ita Giwa
26. Sen. Ibrahim Musa
27. Sen. Alex Kadiri
28. Sen. Ocheja Emma Dangana
29. Sen. Jibriu Wowo
30. Sen. Isa Maina
31. Sen. Mohammed Ohiare
32. Sen. Abubakar Sodangi
33. Sen. Joseph Akaagerger
34. Sen. Jack Tilley Gyado
35. Sen. Abubakar Tutare
36. Sen. Bello Tukur
37. Sen. Ahmed Barata
38. Sen. Abba Aji
39. Sen. Mohammed A. Mohammed
40. Sen. Umar Idris
41. Sen. Adamu Talba
42. Sen. Sidi Ali
43. Sen. Timothy Adudu
44. Sen. Ishaq Adebayo Salman
45. Sen. Akin Odunsi
46. Sen. Seye Ogunlewe
47. Sen. Fatima Raji Rasaki
48. Sen. Lanre Tejuoso
49. Sen. Nkechi Nwaogu
50. Sen. Margery Chuba Okadigbo
51. Sen. Mohammed Saleh
52. Sen. Sani Kanba
53. Sen. Abubakar Abdullahi Naamo
54. Sen. Danladi Sankara
55. Sen. Mohammed Ibrahim
56. Sen. Sola Adeyeye
57. Sen. Anthony Agbo
58. Sen. Ikechukwu Obior
59. Sen. Chris Adighije
60. Sen. Emma Anosike
61. Sen. Jalo Zarami
62. Sen. Alkali Jajere
63. Sen. Oladipo Odujinrin
64. Sen. Mohammed Alkali
65. Sen. Sunday Ogbuoji
66. Sen. Abu Ibrahim
67. Sen. Bello Maitama
68. Sen. Saddiq Yar’adua
69. Sen. Jide Omoworare
70. Sen. Anthony Manzo
71. Sen. Aminu Inuwa
72. Sen. Magnus Abeh
