After months of rumours, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, would contest Nigeria’s Presidency in the 2023 general elections, Jackson Udom, his Chief Press Secretary confirmed.
Speaking with Straightnews publisher on Friday, April 15, Jackson said ”Oga is ready to run o,’’ meaning that my boss is prepared to run for the Office of Nigeria’s presidency.
Akpabio is a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the country.
Though APC zoned Presidency to the Southern part of Nigeria, Senator Ahmed Tinubu, National Leader of APC, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation, Senator Rochas Okorocha, and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, among others have shown interest in the Presidency.
Earlier, Udom had written on his Facebook page, thus ”HE WILL SURELY RUN FOR GODSWILL TO BE DONE IN NIGERIA. CONFIRMED!
”Great Nigerians are you ready?
”The uncommon declaration loading soon….
”The coming of the Messiah.’’
Read also: 2023: Akpabio, Udom Gadflies in Presidential race?
This was as a coalition of 65 groups on Wednesday, April 13 converged in Kano where they drummed support and also raised over N100 million for the 2023 presidential ambition of the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
A statement from the convener of the coalition, Dr Jibril Tafida, said the groups agreed to raise funds for the purchase of the All Progressives Congress presidential nomination form for Akpabio after “a frantic search for a detribalised Nigerian politician with a proven record of unbeatable policies at various points in the corridors of power”.
The coalition said Akpabio’s “exemplary leadership abilities, his passion for helping people grow professionally and masses-friendly political style has made him distinct in today’s Nigeria.”
The coalition further stated that Akpabio has made his mark as a listening leader with the competencies to lead the country on the path of growth and progress.
Recall that the Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, had predicted that Akpabio would be one of the beautiful brides for Presidency.
In a statement on Monday, January 10, 2022, Ayodele predicted people who could become Nigeria’s President and Vice President in 2023.
In the 90-paged prophecies signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele also mentioned Abubakar Malami, Boss Mustapha, Kayode Fayemi, Rotimi Amaechi, Prof Babagana Zulum, Babatunde Raji Fashola, Mai Mala Buni, Ibikunle Amosun, Godswill Akpabio and Rauf Aregbesola as presidential materials of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Akpabio’s profile
Akpabio hails from Ukana Ikot Ntuen in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Aged 59, Akpabio completed his primary education at Methodist Primary School, Ukana and secondary education at Federal Government College, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Later, he gained admission to study law at the University of Calabar and graduated in 1987. He completed his Law School studies at the Lagos Law School in 1988 and was subsequently called to the Nigerian Bar.
In 2002, Akpabio, was appointed Akwa Ibom state’s Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources and later Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. In 2006, he was further appointed the Commissioner for Lands and Housing.
In April 2007, Godswill Akpabio contested and won as Akwa Ibom governor on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He was re-elected Akwa Ibom State Governor in 2011.
Having completed his second tenure as governor, he contested and won as the Senator of the Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial seat under PDP.
A former Senate Minority Leader, he left for All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2018.
He is married to Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, the founder of Family Life Enhancement Initiative (FLEI), a non-governmental organization providing a platform for redirecting the focus of development efforts on the family as a strategy for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Akpabio has a son and four daughters.
Meanwhile, Akpabio declared ”I was at the National headquarters of our great party; the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Thursday, to formally congratulate the brand-new national chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) on their victory at the National Convention.
”I wished him and his team, a resounding success as they steer the affairs of the party to another resounding electoral victory starting with the Ekiti and Osun states’ governorship elections later this year and the general elections in 2023.
”I also use the visit to call on members and stakeholders of our party in Akwa Ibom State to close ranks, unite and work for the success of the party in 2023.
”I was asked by journalists, if I would be contesting for the office of the President in 2023 and I simply replied, “Do you want me to contest?” Akpabio wrote on his Facebook page.
