Former Akwa Ibom Governor Godswill Akpabio and his team of Senators have met with Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the meeting occurred at Governor Wike’s residence in Abuja, as per sources. It should be recalled that Akpabio, who previously served as the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, was nominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a candidate for the position of Senate President. Barau Jibrin was also recommended as the candidate for Deputy Senate President.
Governor Wike is said to have endorsed Akpabio’s candidacy for the Senate presidency. This move is expected to result in Senators-elect from Rivers State voting in favour of Akpabio. Despite belonging to the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Wike has established ties with Bola Tinubu, a prominent figure in the APC.  This relationship has developed following Wike’s conflict with Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s presidential candidate in the recently concluded 2023 elections. According to a statement by the Akpabio Campaign Media Office in Abuja after the visit, Wike said:

“This is the time for me to support him (Akpabio) because he supported me when I wanted to be the governor of Rivers State. “If truly we want this country to move forward from where we are today, I see nothing wrong in the ruling party picking who it thinks can work with the President-elect as the Senate President of the 10th Assembly. On this Akpabio and Barau project we are together to make sure they win. “Akpabio supported me during my governorship ambition. He stood by me all through and ensured that I won. I don’t pay back good with evil.
“This is payback time for him. I will stand by him until he emerges the next Senate President. Our team would soon meet to take a position on your aspiration. “Don’t be worried or disturbed by the contending forces against your aspiration, it is normal in politics. Power is not given on a platter, you fight for it. “I am impressed that despite your endorsement by your party and the President-elect, you are still consulting your colleagues. That is the way it should be. “Let us be fair to this country. If we continue this way, Nigeria will not succeed. Don’t waiver stay firm and you will win at the end of the day.”
Akpabio thanked Wike for his support for his aspiration, saying, “let me congratulate you for ending your tenure as the governor of River State on the high. “You have done well for your people and Nigerians. History would be kind to you as you exit office in the next few days. You believe in justice, equity and fairness and that is what Nigerians know you for.”