- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigerian Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has charged the All Progressives Congress stakeholders to let the results of the 2027 General Election reflect their actions as promised in their speeches.
Akpabio gave the charge during his address at the APC National Summit held at the Presidential Villa’s Baquet Hall in Abuja on Thursday.
While lauding President Bola Tinubu, who was in attendance with his Vice, Kashim Shettima, Akpabio recounted how many states who promised the President votes failed to live up to the promises.
“For the first time in Nigeria, we have an astute politician as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Working closely with strong politicians such as the Vice President, Kashim Shetimma, and such as the Senate President, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio.
“You (Tinubu) struggled in 2023. Many people promised you votes. Very large rallies in some regions in the country. But when the final votes were announced, you could not get 25 percent in many of those states that spoke so well. So, there is no room for eloquent speeches. Let the result that will come in 2027 reflect the action and speeches that we are saying here today.” The Senate President said.
He however commended all the speakers at the summit while noting that there is much to be done, regardless of the progress recorded by the administration so far.
“That is my own. I love all the speeches but please note that politics is not over until it is over and that you will still have enemies.
“It is the tree that bears the sweetest fruit that also gets the highest amounts of stones. Everything said here must show that yes, we are on path, you did it in Lagos, we are doing it in Nigeria.
“Even Abuja the Federal Capital Territory has changed. The diplomats have confirmed that. This was not how it was when they came.
“The economy has changed; everything has changed. But the reality is that we are not there yet. Of course, mischief makers are still meeting in the night. You know politics is a game of witchcraft.
“They meet in the night and things changed in the daytime.
“So, don’t allow me to come and stand in the front of this August assembly and say I will deliver Southern Nigeria, go and sleep. Please don’t sleep. Otherwise, I will tell you lies.” He said.
While commending the party for organizing the summit, Akpabio acknowledged the presence of the governors, former governors, and elder statemen of the party, especially Chief Bisi Akande and Chief Olusegun Osoba.
“So Let me congratulate the party for organizing this parley. This is almost like coming together. When I came in, I saw our governors, former governors.
“I just turned, and I saw our former Presiding Officer. I saw Senator Pius Anyim. I even forgot that he has joined the APC. And I turned round and saw my other senior brother, Ken Namani.
“What it means is that the party has been able to bring all of us together. Chief Bisi Akande is here sitting down with Chief Osoba.
“And Chief Osoba, at the age of over 85, he is able to cross his leg, me I cannot cross my leg. I don’t know how he does it. I’m very excited to see all of us.” He said.