On Tuesday, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who represents Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District, was elected as the Senate President for the 10th National Assembly.
He secured a total of 63 votes, defeating his rival, Senator Abdulazeez Yari from Zamfara West Senatorial District, who received 46 votes.
Here are 15 important things to know about Akpabio:
- Akpabio, a native of Ikot Ntuen in Essien Udim Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State
- He was born on 9 December 1962
- He obtained a Law degree from the University of Calabar in Cross River State.
- Akpabio is a Christian of the Catholic faith and is married to Ekaette Unoma Akpabio
- He served as the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration from 2019 to 2022.
- He was the governor of Akwa Ibom State from 2007 to 2015.
- Akpabio’s career began in the telecommunications industry, where he worked at EMIS Telecoms Limited in Lagos, Nigeria. Eventually, he became the company’s managing Director/Chief Executive Officer in 2002. During this time, he also served as the National Publicity Secretary of the Association of Telecommunication Companies in Nigeria (ATCOM).
- In 2002, Akpabio was appointed as the Honourable Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources by Governor Obong Victor Attah in Akwa Ibom State.
- He was a commissioner in three important ministries: Petroleum and Natural Resources, local government and chieftaincy Affairs, and Lands and Housing between 2002 and 2006.
- However, Akpabio faced allegations of misappropriating funds during his time as governor of Akwa Ibom State. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigated him for allegedly diverting over 100 billion Naira from the state’s account between 2007 and 2015.
- In May 2020, he was summoned by members of the House of Representatives regarding the misappropriation of 40 billion Naira.
- Akpabio experienced loss at a young age when he lost his father. He was raised by his mother.
- During his time in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Akpabio was nominated by the South-South caucus of the party as the Senate Minority Leader. This nomination was ratified by the PDP caucus in the Senate, and he was announced as the Senate Minority Leader by the Senate President on July 28, 2015.
- In June 2022, Akpabio resigned from his position as Minister for Niger Delta Affairs to participate in the presidential primaries of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
- He stepped down during the primaries for Bola Tinubu, who is now the President.
