Akpabio Fires Warning at APC Governors Eyeing New Positions

(Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Photo Credit: Daily Trust)

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged APC governors not to neglect their states while chasing other political positions.

He spoke on Wednesday at the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

"For my brothers who are governors, I want you to know that you must not abandon your people," he said.

He told them to finish their constitutional eight year tenure instead of "eyeing another position that is not available."

Akpabio, who was governor of Akwa Ibom from 2007 to 2015, said his success over 25 years comes from standing with the people.

"I always win. And why I always win is because I stand with people," he said.

The Senate recently changed its rules so that only senators who have served at least eight years, or two terms, can contest for Senate President or Deputy Senate President.

Unconfirmed reports say a governor, whose term will still be running when the 11th Senate is sworn in, is planning to resign and run for a Senate seat to succeed Akpabio.

Under the new rule, a politician who has been out of the National Assembly for eight years would not qualify.

It is not clear whether Akpabio was referring to that governor.