Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State turned Senator, Godswill Akpabio, has revealed his intention to contend for the seat of the Senate Minority Leader under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), when the upper chamber resumes on July 21, 2015.
PUNCH reports that Senator Akpabio made his move for the position after the PDP announced their zoning arrangement. According to a Senator speaking in Abuja on Friday, July 3, 2015 Senators James Manager from Delta State and Thompson Sekibo from Rivers State had earlier declared their interest in the position and emerged as possible contenders.
Senator Manager is a forth time member, Senator Sekibo a third time member while Senator Akpabio is a first time member of the senate. According to close watchers, Senator Manager had been favoured for the position since Senator David Mark had indicated non-interest in the position.
Senator Akpabio had however been reported to have contacted the governors of Akwa Ibom and Rivers States, Udom Emmanuel and Nyesom Wike, to help him persuade the 17 South-south senators to give him their support after he indicated his interest in the position.
