Godswill Akpabio

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Godswill Akpabio
Portrait of Godswill Akpabio
15th President of the Nigerian Senate
Assumed office
13 June 2023
DeputyBarau Jibrin
Preceded byAhmad Lawan
Senator for Akwa Ibom North-West
Assumed office
13 June 2023
Preceded byChris Ekpenyong
In office
9 June 2015 – 9 June 2019
Preceded byAloysius Akpan Etok
Succeeded byChris Ekpenyong
Minister for Niger Delta Affairs
In office
21 August 2019 – 11 May 2022
Preceded byUsani Uguru Usani
Succeeded byUmana Okon Umana
Senate Minority Leader
In office
28 July 2015 – 7 August 2018
Preceded byGeorge Akume
Succeeded byAbiodun Olujimi
3rd Governor of Akwa Ibom State
In office
29 May 2007 – 29 May 2015
Preceded byObong Victor Attah
Succeeded byUdom Gabriel Emmanuel
Personal details
Born (1962-12-09) 9 December 1962 (age 61)
Ukana, Ikot Ntuen, Essien Udim, Eastern Region, Nigeria (now in Akwa Ibom State)
Political partyAll Progressives Congress (2018–present)
Other political
affiliations		Peoples Democratic Party (before 2018)
SpouseEkaette Unoma Akpabio
Alma materUniversity of Calabar
Occupation
  • Politician
  • lawyer

Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio CON[1] (Ibibio pronunciationⓘ; born 9 December 1962) is a Nigerian lawyer[2] and politician who is currently serving as the 15th president of the Nigerian Senate since 2023.[3][4] He served as Senator representing Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District from 2015 to 2019 and since 2023.[5][6] He also served as minister for Niger Delta Affairs from 2019 to 2022. He previously served as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State from 2007 to 2015.[7]

Early life and career[edit]

Godswill Akpabio is the son of Chief Obot Akpabio and Madam Lucy Obot Akpabio (née Inyangetor) of Ukana, Ikot Ntuen in Essien Udim Local Government Area.[8] He was born on 9 December 1962.[9] He lost his father at an early age and was raised by his mother.[10]

Education[edit]

Akpabio was educated at Methodist Primary School, Ukana,[11] Essien Udim LGA, Akwa Ibom State; the Federal Government College, Port Harcourt,[12] Rivers State; and the University of Calabar,[13] Cross River State, where he obtained a Degree in Law.[14][15]

While at the Federal Government College, Port Harcourt, he was appointed the Senior Prefect.[11] In the University of Calabar, Akpabio was elected as the Student Union Government (SUG) Speaker of the parliamentary year.[16][8]

Family and personal life[edit]

Akpabio's grandfather, Okuku Udo Akpabio, was the Warrant Chief in Ikot Ekpene province. His uncle, Dr. I. U. Akpabio, was the Minister of Education/Internal Affairs in the then Eastern Nigeria. Justice Nsima Akpabio, his cousin, was a senator in the Second Nigerian Republic.[8]

Akpabio is a Christian of the Catholic faith.[10] Akpabio is married to Ekaette Unoma Akpabio,[17] the founder of Family Life Enhancement Initiative (FLEI), a non-governmental organization providing a platform for redirecting the focus of development efforts on the family as a strategy for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).[18][19][20][21]

Akpabio and his wife have four daughters and a son.

Career and employment[edit]

Akpabio had a brief stint as a teacher and as an associate partner with Paul Usoro and Co., a law firm in Nigeria.[22][23]

He also worked with EMIS Telecoms Limited, a wireless telecommunications company in Lagos, Nigeria. In 2002, he rose to the position of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company.[23] In this position, he helped in shaping the future of the burgeoning telecoms industry. He had earlier served as the National Publicity Secretary of the Association of Telecommunication Companies in Nigeria, (ATCOM), while a director of EMIS.[24]

Appointments and politics[edit]

In 2002, he was appointed Honourable Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources by the then Governor Obong Victor Attah in Akwa Ibom State. Between 2002 and 2006, he served as a Commissioner in three key ministries: Petroleum and Natural Resources, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, as well as Lands and Housing.[23][10][25]

In 2006, he aspired for the governorship of Akwa Ibom State in a contested primary election and defeated 57 other aspirants to emerge the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).[26] His campaign with the slogan, "let God’s will be done" received mass support and was elected Governor in 2007. He was re-elected for a second term in office as Governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2011.[27]

In 2013, he was elected chairman of the newly formed PDP Governors Forum.[28]

In 2015, he contested and won the Senate seat of the Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District (Ikot Ekpene) to represent the district in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Running under the platform of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), he polled 422,009 of the 439,449 to defeat Chief Inibehe Okorie of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who recorded 15,152 votes to be declared elected by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).[5]

Akpabio was nominated for the position of the Senate Minority Leader by the South-South caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ratified by the caucus of the PDP in the Senate and announced by the Senate President as Senate Minority Leader on 28 July 2015. The PDP lost the majority to the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the 2015 general elections.[29][30]

In August 2018, he resigned as the Senate Minority Leader,[31] after he had announced his defection to the All Progressives Congress. His defection was marked by Political rally in his hometown at the Ikot Ekpene township stadium, Akwa Ibom State.[32]

In July 2019, he was nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari and screened by the Nigerian Senate for a Ministerial appointment.[33] On 21 August 2019, he was sworn in as Minister for Niger Delta Affairs.[34][35]

In June 2022, Akpabio resigned from his position as minister for Niger Delta Affairs to contest in the presidential primaries of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) but stepped down on the night of the primaries for the eventual winner Bola Tinubu. A few days after the presidential primaries, he emerged as the Senatorial candidate for Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District. However, it was fraught with accusations of foul play by stakeholders of the party in the State. He went on to defeat his closest rival Emmanuel Enoidem of the Peoples Democratic Party to become the senator-elect in the 2023 general elections polling 115,401 votes, against Enoidem's 69,838 votes.[36]

On 13 June 2023, he was elected President of the Senate of Nigeria with 63 votes defeating Senator Abdulaziz Yari, a former Governor of Zamfara State who scored 46 votes.[37][38][39]

Corruption accusations[edit]

Godswill Akpabio was under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on accusations that he diverted over 100 billion Naira from Akwa Ibom State during his time as governor (2007-2015) with American diplomats calling the level of corruption "exceptional" during his tenure.[40][41] However, no charges have been filed.[42] A lawyer, Leo Ekpenyong who also accused Akpabio of corruption, was later arraigned by the police in court for defamation.[43]

In May 2020, Akpabio was summoned by members of the House of Representatives over the misappropriation of 40 billion Naira.[44]

Honours[edit]

International honours[edit]

National honours[edit]

Academic & professional honours[edit]

Media honours[edit]

  • Best Governor in Africa, Africa Development Magazine.[61][62]
  • Governor of the Year 2012, Leadership.[63]
  • Man of the Year 2011, Sun (newspaper).[64]
  • Best Governor in Nigeria and Outstanding Human Brand 2010: Billboard World.
  • Man of the Year 2010: National Daily Newspaper.[25]
  • Governor of the Year 2010: Nigerian Tribune.[65]
  • Award of Excellence for Outstanding Performance 2010: Nigeria Union of Journalists.[66]
  • Nigeria's Emerging Tiger 2009: Thisday Newspapers.[67]
  • Man of the Year 2009: The Daily Independent (Lagos).[68]
  • Man of the Year 2009: National Daily Newspaper.[69]
  • 2008 Most Outstanding Governor in Nigeria (South South): National Daily Newspaper.[69]
  • Governor of the Year (South-South): City People Magazine.[24]
  • Best Governor Infrastructure 2009: Encomium Magazine.[70]
  • Best Governor (South South): Encomium Magazine.[70]
  • Excellency Award as Best Governor South-South 2009: Global Excellence Magazine.[10]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Chief Godswill Akpabio, Commander of the Order of the Niger | the Ibom Pulpit". Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  2. ^ Edition, Next (9 December 2017). "BREAKING: Senator Godswill Akpabio clocks 55". The Next Edition. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  3. ^ Oyero, Kayode (13 June 2023). "UPDATED: Akpabio Sworn in As Senate President". Channels Television. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  4. ^ Obeme-Ndukwe, Ifunanya (13 June 2023). "Akpabio elected Senate President". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Akpabio wins Senate Seat in Akwa Ibom State". globalvillenews.com. Archived from the original on 21 May 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  6. ^ Senate Announces Akpabio As Minority Leader • Channels Television, retrieved 20 December 2017
  7. ^ "Enough is enough". Vanguard News. 30 July 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  8. ^ a b c "3RD ANNUAL LECTURE 2013 Award winners » Gounna Nigeria". Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  9. ^ "FOR THE RECORD: Official citations of Buhari's ministers, SGF – Premium Times Nigeria". 21 August 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  10. ^ a b c d "Info" (PDF). akwaibomnewsonline.com. 2010.
  11. ^ a b "Inkbrandagency.com". ngf.inkbrandagency.com.
  12. ^ "Akpabio to Nigerians: Strengthen spirit of nationalism". News Express Nigeria. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  13. ^ "The Horizon by Kayode Komolafe, Articles | THISDAY LIVE". Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  14. ^ "Why 'Class 88' is successful, by Akpabio – The Nation Nigeria". The Nation Nigeria. 4 February 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  15. ^ "The Nation Newspaper Nigeria – Read Latest Nigeria News". The Nation Nigeria. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  16. ^ "Africanewspress.com". africanewspress.com.
  17. ^ "Unoma Akpabio: An epitome of compassion @ 40". Vanguard News. 8 June 2011. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  18. ^ "About FLEI". Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  19. ^ "*EKAETTE UNOMA AKPABIO:* Undying Hope on the Dais – Pointblank News". pointblanknews.com. 19 February 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  20. ^ "Ekaette Unoma Akpabio: Bringing hope to the hopeless, Articles | THISDAY LIVE". Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  21. ^ "Family Enhancement Initiative at 5: Unoma Akpabio Still Dishing Out Milk of Human Kindness | FIRST NEWS". Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  22. ^ "Paul Usoro & Co Leading Law Firm in Nigeria". Paul Usoro & Co Leading Law Firm in Nigeria. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  23. ^ a b c THEWILL_ (25 December 2014). "OPINION: CELEBRATING AKPABIO AT 52 | THEWILL". thewillnigeria.com. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  24. ^ a b "Akwa Ibom Past News". igbofocus.co.uk. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  25. ^ a b c Administrator. "Godswill Obot Akpabio: The Man of the Moment". old.nationaldailyng.com. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  26. ^ "Akpabio: The game changer strikes gold". News Express Nigeria. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  27. ^ "Nigerian Music, Video, Album, Mixtape & Entertainment News » Naijaturnup". Naijaturnup. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  28. ^ "Governor Godswill Akpabio Emerges Chairman of PDP Governor's Forum | Silverbird Television". silverbirdtv.com. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  29. ^ "Akpabio emerges Senate Minority Leader – Premium Times Nigeria". Premium Times Nigeria. 28 July 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  30. ^ "Akpabio is senate minority leader – TheCable". TheCable. 28 July 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  31. ^ Vanguard, News. "Akpabio drops Senate Minority leader post". Retrieved 7 August 2018. {{cite news}}: |first1= has generic name (help)
  32. ^ "Akpabio formally defects to APC". 8 August 2018.
  33. ^ "Ministerial screening: I will do my best in any ministry —Akpabio". Punch Newspapers. 24 July 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  34. ^ "JUST IN: Full List: Buhari assigns portfolios to new Ministers". Oak TV Newstrack. 21 August 2019. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
  35. ^ Ulom, Frank (21 August 2019). "Full List of Ministers And Their Portfolios". The Paradise. Paradise Media Venture. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  36. ^ "#NigeriaDecides2023: Akpabio wins senatorial election". Premium Times. 27 February 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  37. ^ Omogbolagun, Tope (13 June 2023). "Meet Akpabio, the 10th National Assembly Senate President". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  38. ^ Olufemi, Damilola (13 June 2023). "BREAKING: Akpabio elected Senate President". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  39. ^ "Godswill Akpabio Senate President". 13 June 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  40. ^ "N108bn fraud: EFCC keeps mum on Akpabio probe". 23 July 2019.
  41. ^ "The Gang of 43 breaks cover". Africa Confidential. pp. 26 July 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2021. During Akpabio's tenure as governor in Akwa Ibom, the level of corruption was 'exceptional', according to US diplomats at the time. So was political violence.
  42. ^ "Nine ex-govs whose corruption cases are forgotten". punchng.com. 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  43. ^ "Lawyer who accused Akpabio of corruption charged with defamation". premiumtimesng.com. 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  44. ^ "Lawmakers Summon Akpabio Over Fraud, Corruption in NDDC". Sahara Reporters. 5 May 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  45. ^ "The Nation Newspaper Nigeria – Read Latest Nigeria News". The Nation Nigeria. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  46. ^ "Akpabio Receives Millennium Excellence Award | the Ibom Pulpit". Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  47. ^ "AKPABIO: THE MAN WHO REDEFINED GOVERNANCE : Nigerian Latest News Papers News Online". nigerianbestforum.com. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  48. ^ "State News: Governor Akpabio Receives National Honour for Uncommon Dev". Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  49. ^ "Governor Akpabio Receives National Honour". Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  50. ^ a b c d e "Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio CON: An examplary life of Service". Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  51. ^ "Home". sharpedgenews.com. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  52. ^ "Central Bank Names Akpabio Best Governor in Infrastructure | the Ibom Pulpit". Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  53. ^ "Governor of Akwa-Ibom and CBN Win Award on Good Governance – Economic Confidential". Economic Confidential. 1 February 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  54. ^ "Akpabio: Honours without end – The Nation Nigeria". The Nation Nigeria. 16 May 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  55. ^ "Akpabio urges Nigerians to embrace dialogue – Vanguard News". Vanguard News. 21 September 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  56. ^ a b "FUTO honours Sambo, Akpabio with doctorate degrees – Vanguard News". Vanguard News. 30 November 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  57. ^ Akpan-Iquot, Itoro E. "Akwa Ibom State Government News | Akwa Ibom News (AIN) Online – Sitippe Mfin Ke Akwa Ibom Mme Nigeria". akwaibomnewsonline.com. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  58. ^ a b c d e "Akpabio and the goldfish syndrome – Vanguard News". Vanguard News. 6 December 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  59. ^ "FUTO honours Sambo, Akpabio with doctorate degrees – Vanguard News". nigeria70.com. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  60. ^ "New 007 mission for Jaguar Land Rover". 24 April 2018.
  61. ^ "Akpabio bags Best Governor in Africa Award – Vanguard News". Vanguard News. 20 May 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  62. ^ "Akpabio Bags Best Governor in Africa Award – Pointblank News". pointblanknews.com. 21 May 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  63. ^ "LEADERSHIP Server Is Busy". leadership.ng.
  64. ^ "New 007 mission for Jaguar Land Rover". 24 April 2018.
  65. ^ "Akpabio is Tribune's Gov of the Year...Sanusi,Tribune's Man of the Year – Tribune News". nigeria70.com. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  66. ^ "AKPABIO: THE MAN WHO REDEFINED GOVERNANCE". 25 February 2012.
  67. ^ Akpan-Iquot, Itoro E. "Akwa Ibom State Government News | Akwa Ibom News (AIN) Online – Sitippe Mfin Ke Akwa Ibom Mme Nigeria". akwaibomnewsonline.com. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  68. ^ "Man of the year; Daily Independent picks Gov Akpabio, Adenuga – Vanguard News". Vanguard News. 14 February 2010. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  69. ^ a b "AKPABIO: A TOAST TO THE UNCOMMON TRANSFORMER AT 49". nigerianbestforum.com. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  70. ^ a b "AKPABIO: THE MAN WHO REDEFINED GOVERNANCE". Nigerian Voice. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
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