Akpabio’s Outstanding Leadership as Stabilizer in the Nation’s Polity

By Olorogun Bernard Okumagba

Senate President, Obong Godswill Akpabio, has established himself as one of Nigeria’s leading lights. Having served as Commissioner, Governor, Senate Minority Leader and Minister previously, he is one person that can be truly regarded as experienced and well versed. This is what Senate President Akpabio has deployed since the advent of the new administration in May 2023, firmly establishing his place as a stabiliser in the nation’s polity. Over the last 18 months of his Senate presidency and chairmanship of the National Assembly, Senator Akpabio has displayed sagacity, delivering on the promise of effective representation and leadership. The Senate President has been hailed, rightly, as an uncommon leader, able to navigate our diversity and unite Nigerians for common cause.

Senator Akpabio has proven himself a worthy national leader who has led the legislative arm to deliver on the agenda of the current administration. His tact in managing the National Assembly has ensured that even contentious matters have been handled with maturity, political sophistication and in the national interest. This is why I am assured that the tax reform bills before the national assembly will receive the required attention. These four bills which have been presented by the executive branch as the first major restructuring of Nigeria’s tax administration in a long while, hold a promise to deliver strong regional performance across all states. Yet, like everything novel, they also face challenges from various sectors. These disagreements could have torpedoed the bills, but for Akpabio’s astuteness.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has handled the disagreements with the bill with prudence, ensuring that the proverbial baby is not thrown out with the bath water. He has deployed commendable leadership and goodwill to ensure that the bills are carefully considered, rather than throwing out the bills, which would have done great damage to the country, especially at a time Nigeria is in need of substantial economic reforms. Senator Akpabio’s diligent approach of ensuring that the ongoing negotiations of contentious areas of the bills be undertaken to allow for inclusive consideration of all positions and the arrival at a formula acceptable to all that will spur further national growth and development is indeed Laudable.

It is without a doubt that Akpabio is critical to the success of the Federal government’s reform agenda because of his position as Nigeria’s Chief lawmaker. So far, he has played a rallying role for the much-needed reforms, balancing them with the demands of the people as expressed by their elected representatives. This he has done with great aplomb! For instance, the Senate under Akpabio has moderated policies such as the electricity tariff increase to ensure that it was graduated to mitigate against a drastic impact on the citizens. Under Akpabio’s leadership the national assembly has intervened in labour disputes and is currently undertaking legislative action on the tax reform bills before it. In all, Akpabio has shown great capacity for building consensus, avoiding unnecessary disputes and distractions and ensuring national cohesion for national development.

Akpabio’s worth and place as political leader has been fully accentuated by the unanimous endorsement of his leadership by leading political establishments including the bipartisan South South Senators Forum. In a communique issued at the end of their meeting on December 5 2024, the Forum passed a vote of confidence on Senate President Akpabio and reaffirmed their “commitment to standing by him and supporting his leadership in steering the Senate toward its constitutional mandate of making laws that serve the best interests of the nation and its citizens.”

For us in the South-south geopolitical zone, Akpabio’s Senate Presidency is very significant for us as it is the first time since the return to democracy in 1999, that a Senator from our region is leading the Senate and the National Assembly. Senator Akpabio has been balanced and judicious and has led the Senate and the National Assembly with equanimity.

Senate President Akpabio having garnered varied experience over the years as Commissioner, Governor, Senate Minority Leader and Minister came well prepared for his role as Nigeria’s chief lawmaker, a position that demands diplomacy and firmness almost in equal measure. His leadership value is one that is clear from the accolades that have come from far and wide. The country needs firm, strong and passionate Leaders at this time of our Nation’s history and Senate President Akpabio has been outstanding in promoting national unity, cohesion and an economic renewal for our Country.

Okumagba is a former Delta State Commissioner for Finance and an APC leader in Delta State