Warri – The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has described the 63 senators who turned in Senator Godswill Akpabio as President of the Senate are true patriots. The South-South apex sociocultural body, while extolling the courage of the senators, said they stood for unity, stability, equity, fairness and justice ahead of parochial interests.
In a statement signed by the Dr. Ken Robinson, the National Publicity Secretary, PANDEF, congratulated Senator Akpabio on his emergence as the President of the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
While relishing the outcome of the Tuesday exercise at the Red Chambers, the body said Akpabio’s emergence has provided some degree of balance in the national government.
The forum describes the imperious attempt by some groups and individuals to foist an “all-Muslim” leadership on the country as not only unfortunate, but also incendiary.
According to PANDEF, “power balance” to national order at this time of Nigeria’s democratic experience, and existence as a nation, could not be overstated.
“We thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for their firm resolve on the zoning of the senate presidency to the South-South, and for following through on it.
“PANDEF is confident that Senator Godswill Akpabio, with his wealth of experience, and knowledge of the dynamics of the polity, will provide the desired leadership and candor in directing the affairs of the Senate, and indeed, the National Assembly, to the utmost benefit of the people of Nigeria,” PANDEF hoped.
PANDEF further restated its commitment to the promotion of peace, unity, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta region, and the nation as a whole.
