Why Always Senator Godswill Akpabio?

By Abasiama Etukakpan

He removed his sky-blue City jersey and behold, an iconic catchphrase ” Why Always Me” was boldly written and this particular slogan got the whole world perplexed. In all, different connotations ran through the minds of many, but the message was carefully passed and I always remember that catchy and mind-blowing catchphrase.

Just like the Balotelli catchphrase, one leader that I have watched closely with his name always in the news is the Nigeria’s Senate President, Dr. Godswill Akpabio. Right from his time as Governor of my home state- Akwa Ibom, his name adds value to newspaper publishers and content creators. You would rarely see a newspaper both local and national with their front page story without the name of Godswill Akpabio boldly written for patronage and one peculiar thing about the bearer of that significant name is that he wouldn’t be bothered or perturbed but still goes about his normal duties effectively.

In his days as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria , his name was still in the news and many news writers would not hesitate to look for a story to cook up just to be significant with that same name, Godswill Akpabio. Of course, the same man won’t be bothered and on completion of his tenure, he left uncommon legacies as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Interestingly, most stories about this man, Godswill Akpabio are always false, fabricated and concocted by half-baked media professional. But let me reiterate that for a  man to be in the news for this long a time, one should be careful for the hand of God is mighty in the life of this fine gentleman and a leader par excellence.

In the last few days, I have read and watched a video circulated in the media space where it is alleged that the Senate President said that Nigerians should  “Go and eat wherever they see free food because times are difficult.”  It is laughable that humans could sit in the comfort of their homes to fabricate such gibberish then credited it to the Senate President. It should be in the common knowledge of Nigerians that the statement is the handiwork of mischief makers and propagandists as there was no time the Senate President made such statement. The video circulated with cheap write-ups should be ignored and disregarded in its entirety.

For the avoidance of doubt, a careful look at the said video clearly exposes the ill-motive and agenda by these cheap blackmailers. The event that led to that statement was far back in 2023 on the floor of the Red Chamber of the National Assembly exactly few weeks after the inauguration of the 10th Senate. The background of the said video also exposes their ignorance as the time the said statement was made is far back before the renovation of the Red Chamber.

The day was during plenary when an incumbent Senator, Dan Dutse Muhammad organised a private dinner for his colleagues in honour of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and his Deputy, Jibril Barau after their emergence as leaders of the 10th Senate. The announcement by the President of the Senate was to notify and invite his colleagues to attend the dinner by jokingly asking them that if anyone invites them to a party, they should attend to eat food as times are hard. That’s the same Godswill Akpabio we know,  a jovial and an accommodating leader.

In reality, the current state of the economy is affecting every Nigerian irrespective of social standings. The Senate President is human and people should not see him as someone that blood is not running through his veins. He understands the current situation in the country as he is constantly in touch with his constituents. Fabricating such stories and editing a video that was made  in 2023, a year ago and circulating same on social media in 2024 to discredit the Senate President is nonsensical and very infantile.

For the records, Senator Akpabio never made such statement in the context they are trying to portray. The whole world should know that the concocted video is released with ulterior motives by mischief makers and modern day- Pharisees whose stock in trade is to discredit the Senate President; but as usual, their efforts will be in futility. They should refrain from peddling falsehood as the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio means well for Nigeria and his collaboration with President Bola Tinubu shall bring positive impacts in no distant time.

Just like Mario Balotelli made the catchphrase, Why Always Me? It suffice to ask, Why Always Godswill Akpabio? But it is also pertinent to make it known that for a man to always be in the headline consistently, that man has the hand of God Almighty upon his life and the divine assignment of Senator Akpabio in Nigeria will be made manifest soonest for the benefit of all.