How Tinubu Sneaked Out and Begged for Akpabio

Senator Ali Ndume has revealed the behind-the-scenes efforts of President Bola Tinubu to ensure the emergence of Senator Godswill Akpabio as the Senate President of the 10th National Assembly.

Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, spoke on Channels TV on Tuesday about the role Tinubu played in lobbying and persuading some senators to vote for Akpabio, who is the preferred candidate of the President and the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership.

Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State and a former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, polled 66 votes to defeat his main challenger, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State, who got 43 votes. Two other aspirants, Senators Orji Uzor-Kalu and Osita Izunaso, stepped down from the race after pressure from the party and the President.

Ndume said Tinubu, who is also a former governor of Lagos State and a national leader of the APC, believed Akpabio was well-qualified and supported him with his political influence and network. He said Tinubu had to sneak out of his residence to visit and beg some people to vote for Akpabio.

He said: “So many factors helped Akpabio’s victory; when I contested the last time, the President endorsed Ahmed Lawan. So it’s almost a repetition of the same thing. The party and the president had a preferred candidate, but this President because he is an experienced politician, played lots of politics in it. He deployed his foot soldiers to complement our efforts, and that made a difference.”

Ndume also said Tinubu had to make calls to some senators who were not in support of Akpabio’s candidacy and convince them to change their minds. He said Tinubu was very instrumental in securing the votes of some senators from the South-East and South-South zones who were initially opposed to Akpabio.

He said: “Tinubu had to call some people, he had to visit some people, he had to beg some people. He even sneaked out to beg some people. He was very active and very involved in this process. He knows that Akpabio is competent and capable of leading the Senate.”

Ndume also praised Akpabio for his humility and magnanimity after winning the election. He said Akpabio reached out to his opponents and other senators to seek their cooperation and support. He said Akpabio also visited President Tinubu at Aso Rock shortly after his inauguration to thank him for his endorsement and guidance.

He said: “Akpabio is a humble man. He is not arrogant or proud. He knows how to appreciate people and work with them. He has already started reaching out to everyone, including those who did not vote for him. He also went to Aso Rock to thank President Tinubu for his support and advice. He is a good leader and I am happy for him.”

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