Oyebanji: Ekiti will Back Akpabio for Senate President

Gbenga Sodeinde In Ado Ekiti

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has said the state was committed to a united and formidable 10th National Assembly and as well the decision by the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to zone the Senate President position to the South-South.

The governor made the declaration in Abuja while hosting Senator Godswill Akpabio alongside some senators-elect. The meeting also had in attendance elected senators from Ekiti: Opeyemi Bamidele, Yemi Adaramodu and Cyril Fasuyi.

Speaking, Oyebanji said the decision by the National Working Committee of the APC on leadership of the 10th National Assembly remained sacrosanct.

The governor, who described Akpabio as the right man for the seat, said all the senators-elect and leaders of the party from Ekiti had pitched their tents to ensure his emergence as the next Senate President.

While further throwing light on this in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, the governor said, “in Ekiti State, we are committed to a united National Assembly and we are also committed to the decision of the National Working Committee of the APC with respect to the zoning and you can attest to the fact that all the senators are here with me just to have dinner with Akpabio.

“We are supporting his aspiration as directed by the national body of the party. We are in this together, we are not only supporting, we will identify with him publicly and that is what I have done.

“All Ekiti senators and the leaders, all the former governors – we are in the same boat. We respect the sanctity of the party and we appeal to all contenders to also follow the advice of the National Working Committee.

“It is only when we are united that we can ensure a progressive development of the country. Senator Akpabio has been called to serve and he needs all support and we shall give him that,” Oyebanji added.

Akpabio, while speaking, expressed strong belief that the decision of the party’s NWC and support of members of the Senate would aid his quest for the leadership seat, adding that his experience as a former commissioner, governor, minister and lawmaker also speaks volume.