Senator George Akume has
gotten the backing of other senators in his race to becoming the Senate
president when the eight National Assembly is inaugurated.
Senator George Akume
The
Nation reports that Senator Akume’s quest to become Senate President
got a boost after Chairman, Senate Committee on National Planning,
Senator Barnabas Gemade, on April 21, Tuesday, threw his weight behind
him.
According
to Senator Gemade, Akume is the highest ranking Senator from the North
Central geo-political zone which makes him the most qualified candidate
for the position of Senate President.
Senator
Gemade also dismissed unfounded rumour making the rounds in parts of
Benue State that he is against Akume’s candidature for the position.
He said,
“My attention has been drawn to the mischievous and unfounded rumour on
cyberspace and some newspapers circulating within Benue State that I am
not in support of Senator George Akume’s candidature for the office of
Senate President.
“This
is no doubt the handwork of our political opponents who suffered defeat
at the just concluded elections and can’t seem to get over it, that are
now bent on sowing seed sof discord in our party.
“For
the avoidance of doubt, I hereby reiterate that if our party, the APC
zones the office of the Senate Presidency of the 8th National Assembly
to the North Central zone, Senator George Akume who is the highest
ranking Senator in the zone should be its choice.
“Let
it be known therefore that as a loyal member of our party I am in
complete agreement with the decision of the party and will abide by it.”
With
the All Progressives Congress (APC) winning majority of the seats in
the just concluded National Assembly elections, the party reserves the
right to chose the Senate president.Although current Senate president, David Mark would have emerged the best choice given his rich background and experience, his membership of the PDP, which will now be in the minority in the next Senate, knocks him out of the reckoning for the post.