Allow ‘Uncommon’ Senate President Do His Job, Akpabio Hits Adversaries

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has denied the allegation that he’s a constant late comer to Senate plenary sessions.

Akpabio was elected Senate President in June last year, defeating other candidates such as a former Zamfara state governor. He has constantly been under attacks since he attained the prestigious positions.

A recent report however accused him of coming late to plenary thereby forcing the Senate to postpone important meetings due to his alleged tardiness.

His action, a report said last week is against Senate Standing Rule, which provides that plenary starts at 10 a.m. on every legislative day.

Rule 8 sub-section (2) of the Senate Standing Rule (as amended) states: “On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, the Senate shall meet at 10:00 a.m. and unless previously adjourned shall sit until 2:00 p.m., unless before a substantive motion had been moved by the Leader of the Senate or a Senator acting in that capacity “that this Senate do now adjourn” and if such a motion be moved and if the question thereon has not previously been determined, at 2:00 p.m. the President of the Senate shall adjourn the Senate without question being put.”

Reacting on Sunday Akpabio said his time consciousness, and good management skills has helped him to attain top leadership positions in both private and public life, including his current position as Nigeria’s number three citizen.

‘Without good management skills,’ he said, I ‘ could not have attained these feats.”

The Senate President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh made this known in a statement on Sunday, saying his principal has immense respect for his colleagues’ senators and Nigerians.

Akpabio said his adversaries are responsible for the false narrative, adding that as the Chairman of the National Assembly he has the confidence of his colleagues who he would not take for granted.

The statement reads: “For sometime, a false narrative has been woven round the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON, all in an attempt to give it a semblance of truth.

“Although, we had ignored the misinformation, it has become necessary to enlighten and educate the reading public so that these stories do not gain traction.

“First, as opposed to what has been bandied in the media that Akpabio is known for lateness to Plenary, being an intellectual politician and leader, he believes in Benjamin Franklin’s philosophy of ‘Time is money.’ To him, ‘Time is of the essence.’ And this is exemplified in his sterling achievements in private and public life. Without good time management skills, he could not have attained these feats.

“Secondly, Senator Akpabio as Senate President has absolute respect and regard for his distinguished colleagues and indeed all Nigerians.

“As the Senate President, he is not oblivious of the fact that he is just one among equals and has no cause whatsoever to undermine the elevated status of Distiguished Senators by always keeping them waiting in Plenary.

“However, we want the public to know that as Chairman of the National Assembly, Senator Akpabio and his colleagues are very experienced and conversant with the legislative dynamics and are aware of the enormous legislative and administrative responsibilities of the office of the President of the Senate.

“Disruptions or lateness to any schedule of the heads of arms of government, particularly the National Assembly are usually priotised not compromised.

“As the Presiding Officer, Akpabio meets with the Principal Officers before every Plenary and emergency issues do spring up, which deserve urgent attention.

“Again, at every other plenary, there are always motions of urgent public/national importance from distinguished senators.

“By the provisions of the Standing Orders and Rules of the Senate, Senators with such motions are required to meet with the Presiding Officer before Plenary.

“Some of these issues are so urgent and cannot be kept in view and the President of the Senate is expected to attend to them expeditiously before commencement of Plenary. These circumstances most times creep into the commencement time.

“The lateness of the President of the Senate to the plenary at any insignificant number of times has never affected the industry of the Senate or deliberately intended to deconstruct the core mandate of the Senate President’s parliamentary core mandate.

“Any insinuation suggesting that Senator Akpabio is ‘habitually late’ and it dates back to when he was Akwa Ibom State governor is but selling a rotten apple, which no discerning mind will buy.

“We can say without equivocation that Senator Godswill Akpabio’s penchant for beating the clock is never in doubt both in appointed and elected positions he has held.

“We, therefore, advise those spreading the gospel of Akpabio’s purported lateness to Plenary to apply brakes and allow the Uncommon Senate President concentrate on doing what he knows best – giving his all to the service of the nation and humanity,” he said.

Since he became president last year, the former Akwa Ibom governor has been under attack. For instance, some senators led by Ali Ndume, Senate Chief Whip once threatened to impeach him for saying some money has been sent to the accounts of senators “to enjoy their holidays”.