As the battle for the Senate presidency heats up, Imran Muhammad, a member of the ruling (APC), has disclosed the number of senators who are in support of Godwill Akpabio, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, to become the Senate President.
Bellnewsonline.com reports that Muhammad, in a tweet on Friday, revealed that more than 60% of senators are backing Akpabio, adding that the alliance between Akpabio and Senator Barau Jibrin as Deputy Senate President is likely to succeed.
“Over 65 senators were said to have aligned with the Akpabio/Jibrin alliance and had declared their support for them after signing off their commitment as proof they were in on the project,” he said.
He also alleged that the former minority leader is targeting the signatures of 70 senators before the inauguration day.
According to sources, the senators supporting Akpabio and Jibrin’s alliance have already pledged their commitments to the cause.
The group, consisting of both new and old members, is believed to have lined up behind Akpabio due to the need to balance the North/South dichotomy, as well as religious faith at the top echelon of the power equation, considering that the incoming president, Bola Tinubu, and his deputy, Kashim Shettima, are Muslims.
As the 10th National Assembly’s inauguration date approaches, the country’s lawmaking institution and its members continue to scramble for leadership positions.
The Senate presidency race features Akpabio and Orji Uzor Kalu, the former governor of Abia State, as the top contenders.