Barring unforeseen circumstances, former Governor Godswill Akpabio would emerge as the Senate President in the 10th Assembly.
The race for the number three citizen is hotting up with aspirants jostling to be considered as the next Senate President.
At least, seven aspirants have declared their bid to contest for the position including Akpabio (APC, Akwa Ibom North-West); Deputy Senate leader, Senator Abdul Ningi (APC, Bauchi Central); and Senator Abdul- Aziz Yari (APC, Zamfara).
Others are the current occupier of the seat, Ahmad Lawan (APC, Yobe North); Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East); Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North) and Senator Jibrin Barau (APC Kano North). Governor David Umahi (APC, Ebonyi South) and Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North), have also been linked with the position.
However, sources told Iwitnesslive said the leadership of the All Progressives Congress is considering ceding the position to the South-South and Akpabio has emerged as the sole candidate from the region.
A source said although Barau from Kano is strongly favoured by his colleagues for the post, the APC is moving to avert further disillusionment among the Christain community in the country by ceding the Senate Presidency to an adherent of the faith.
Although a school of thought within the party feels Southeast should be considered, the majority in the leadership of APC agreed with the President-elect that if the slot should come to the south, the zone with the highest contribution to the success of the party at the last election should be considered. Since it can’t go to the South-West which produced the most votes, the South-South which is the second best be considered.
“The party knows how difficult it was to navigate through the issues around a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the Presidency and will not want to aggravate the tension in the land by considering another Muslim as the Senate President. The first three citizens of this country can not come from the same religion; so, any Northern Muslim in the race should consider himself playing because the President-elect has taken a decision that a Christian should be picked for the seat.
“As it stands, it is most likely going to the South-South and Akpabiobeing a strong ally of Tinubu is the most favoured. The Northwest as the highest contributors of votes to the party victory will be compensated with the posts including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Deputy Senate President and even the chairmanship position of the party,” the source said.
